Wildcat boys string together many wins
Edgar victors of last four games
By Casey Krautkramer
Edgar’s boys’ basketball team won its fourth straight game, including its sixth victory in its last seven games, after its 62-34 win against Wausau Newman on Friday at home.
The Wildcats kept their momentum rolling after winning the Sentry Classic holiday tournament at UW-Stevens Point’s Quandt Fieldhouse. Edgar built a 30-13 halftime lead against Newman en route to an easy victory. Edgar improves its record to 3-2 in the Marawood South Conference and 6-2 overall this season.
Edgar head coach Dave Huss outlines the keys to his team notching its fourth win a row.
“First, I think we have consistently improved on the defensive end from the start of the year,” Huss said. “I think both players and coaches are starting to get a feel for player roles and substitution rotations. We certainly are not a polished product but we are continuing to get better. Our shooting was a bit inconsistent early in the season, but we have survived by doing other things well like rebounding, limiting turnovers, getting to the free throw line and not giving our opponents easy scoring opportunities.”
The Wildcats’ prowess on the defensive end of the court is evident in its recent game statistics. Edgar won the battle against Newman in transition points, 16 to 5; points off turnovers, 24 to 2; deflections, 12 to 5 and steals, 12-3. The Wildcats also committed nine less turnovers and 10 fewer personal fouls compared to the Cardinals.
A trio of juniors led Edgar in scoring against Newman, with Kyle Brewster tallying a game-high 18 points while Drew Guden added 10 and Austin Dahlke nine. Junior Konnor Wolf and Guden paced the Wildcats with four assists each. Senior Kaleb Hafferman doesn’t score many points in games, but he helps his team out in other important statistical categories. For example, Hafferman led the Wildcats with seven rebounds, four steals and he took two defensive charges.
Edgar returns to action at home this Thursday, Jan. 9, against Athens.
‘Jays edged by Redmen
The Athens boy’s basketball team squandered a 14-point halftime lead against Rib Lake on Friday at home. The Redmen avenged their home WIAA Division 5 regional championship loss to the Bluejays last season, by coming from behind for a 53-50 win on Friday.
Rib Lake, which was ranked 10th in Division 5 going into its road game in Athens, picked up a pivotal victory in the Marawood North Conference standings. After beating Athens, the Redmen improve to 5-1 in the conference and 7-1 overall this season. The Bluejays fall to 3-3 in the conference and 5-3 overall.
Center Cameron Ford and guard Javon Penney led Athens with 15 points apiece in the loss to Rib Lake, while guard Cooper Diedrich added 14. Ford paced the Bluejays with 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Raiders end losing streak
Marathon’s boys’ basketball team halted its five-game losing streak with a much-needed 79-47 win against Wisconsin Rapids Assumption on Friday at home.
Sophomore guard Jaden Koeller drained four three pointers toward his team-high 17 points. Junior forward Brock Warren added 16 points and five rebounds, and he led the team with three steals. Senior guard/forward Clarke Mouw led the Red Raiders with seven assists, while Mouw and Jaden Koeller paced the team with six rebounds apiece.
Junior guard Matt Vande Boom contributed 10 points and five assists. Senior guard Kole Kaldunski added nine points and senior Zachary Baumann seven. Red Raiders head coach Adam Jacobson
felt relieved his team ended its losing streak.
“We are getting better, and it was nice to see the guys go out and rise to the occasion, play with great effort, make their teammates better and get a win while doing so,” Jacobson said.
Marathon improves to 3-3 in the Marawood South Conference and 3-5 overall this season.
