‘Jays, Raider boys on hot streaks
Both teams won their opening playoff contests
By Casey Krautkramer
The Athens and Marathon boys basketball teams have both won five straight games, including Tuesday’s opening playoff victories, and eight of their last nine games this season.
No. 5 seed Athens beat No. 12 seed Northland Lutheran, 79-58, in a WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday. Athens and No. 4 seed Pittsville have identical 17-6 records this season going into their regional semifinal game at 7 p.m. this Friday, March 6, in the Pittsville gym.
The winner between Athens and Pittsville would likely play at No. 1 seed Almond-Bancroft, 20-3, in the regional championship game at 7 p.m. this Saturday, March 7.
Athens senior center Cameron Ford achieved a double double with 27 points and 12 rebounds in the team’s win against Northland Lutheran. Sophomore guard Cooper Diedrich scored 18 points, while senior guard Javon Penney added 17 and junior forward Dayne Diethelm 11. Diedrich grabbed 11 rebounds and he tied for the team lead in assists with junior Cobie Ellenbecker with six apiece. Penney added five assists.
The Bluejays shot 51 percent overall in their 66-59 road win against Prentice on Thursday. Athens concluded its regular season in second place in the Marawood North Conference with a 10-6 record; behind champion Rib Lake with a 12-4 conference record this season.
Ford also obtained a double double, with 19 points and 13 rebounds, in Athens’ victory against Prentice. He also blocked five shots on defense. Penney added 15 points while Diedrich, Ellenbecker and Diethelm scored 10 points apiece. Diedrich led the Bluejays with seven assists and Penney had four.
Marathon wins opener
No. 5 seed Marathon dominated No. 12 Chequamegon, 80-36, in a WIAA Division 4 home regional quarterfinal game on Tuesday. Marathon now has a 13-10 record this season heading into its regional semifinal game at No. 4 seed Neillsville, 19-3, at 7 p.m. this Friday, March 6.
Marathon boys basketball players are familiar with the Neillsville gym, because that’s where the team ended its season last year, in a 72-71 loss to Oshkosh Lourdes in the Division 4 sectional championship game. Neillsville and Spencer shared the Cloverbelt East Conference championship this season, and the Warriors were ranked No. 10 in the final wissports.net Division 4 coaches’ poll.
Red Raiders junior forward Mike Hahn powered his way to the basket for 25 points in the team’s playoff victory against the Screaming Eagles on Tuesday. Sophomore guard Jaden Koeller added 19 points and senior wing Clarke Mouw 15.
First round byes
The Edgar and Stratford boys basketball teams enjoyed byes in the opening round of the WIAA Division 4 regionals on Tuesday.
No. 3 seed Edgar, 17-5, now plays against No. 6 seed Spencer, 17-6, in a home regional semifinal game at 7 p.m. this Friday, March 6. Spencer nipped No. 11 seed Abbotsford, 49-48, in the playoff opener on Tuesday. The winner between Edgar and Spencer would likely play at No. 2 Auburndale in the regional championship game at 7 p.m. this Saturday, March 7.
Stratford concluded the regular season with an undefeated record, 21-0, in back-to-back years for the first time in school history. The Tigers have been ranked No. 2 in Division 4 in every wissports. net coaches’ poll this season. Stratford’s team shot a blazing 62 percent in its easy 63-23 home win against Wisconsin Rapids Assumption on Thursday. Senior forward Vaughn Breit led the Tigers with 14 points, while senior guard Teddy Redman had 10 points and seven steals. Senior Chandler Schmidt and junior Cody Miller added eight points each. Schmidt paced the team with five assists.
No. 1 seed Stratford plays a WIAA Division 4 home regional playoff game against No. 8 seed Stevens Point Pacelli, 12-11, at 7 p.m. this Friday, March 6. Stratford would most likely beat Pacelli and then host the regional championship against either Marathon or Neillsville at 7 p.m. this Saturday, March 7.
