Marathon takes down big foes

Team beats I-S and Cameron in straight games

The Marathon varsity boys basketball team has mowed down tough non-conference opponents, Iola-Scandinavia and Cameron, in its last two home games.

First, Marathon edged Cameron, 63-61, on Dec. 29. The Comets were undefeated and ranked third in the wissports.com Division 4 coaches poll going into their game against the Red Raiders.

Senior guard Jaden Koeller led the Red Raiders with 18 points and nine assists in the victory against Cameron. Koeller also tied Brock Warren for the team lead in rebounds with seven apiece, and with Nathan Hanke for the team lead in steals with two each in the victory.

Warren was second in scoring on Marathon’s team with 17 points in the win against Cameron, while Matt Vande Boom added 12 points. Nathan Hanke had six assists. Jaeden Strasser and Vande Boom contributed five rebounds each.

Second, Marathon downed an always tough Iola-Scandinavia squad, 41-32, on Tuesday at home. The Thunderbirds had a 4-1 record this season heading into their game against the Red Raiders.

Iola-Scandinavia is just one year removed from its 24-1 season that was halted last spring because of COVID-19. Iola-Scandinavia was supposed to play against Stratford in a WIAA Division 4 sectional championship game last season.

Brock Warren had a massive game against Iola-Scandinavia, by leading the Red Raiders with 12 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Early in Tuesday’s game, the big man Warren stepped onto the perimeter and sank a three pointer at the top of the key. He pointed to the Red Raiders’ bench after swishing the trey.

Jaden Koeller added nine points, while Matt Vande Boom and Noah Gage added five points apiece. Jaeden Strasser paced the Red Raiders with three assists and Koeller had two.

Marathon’s boys basketball team has now won nine games in a row to improve its record to 10-1 overall this season. The Red Raiders are ranked No. 6 in this week’s wissports.net Division 5 coaches poll.

The Red Raiders blasted the Stevens Point Pacelli Cardinals, 67-49, on Dec. 28 at home.

Warren led the Red Raiders with 20 points, while Koeller chipped in 15 and Vande Boom 11. Mike Hahn and Strasser each scored seven points in the victory.

Nathan Hanke paced Marathon with six assists. Hahn and Strasser led the Red Raiders with six rebounds apiece, while Ben Robbins and Vande Boom had five rebounds each.