Here's the video from WisHoops.net
Our intrepid photographer Justin Connaher also put up 20-plus images from the game. You can view the photo gallery here.
If you live in the Fond du Lac area and get Charter, you can see the game at 8 p.m. on Thursday night on Charter Channel 25. FSN will also air the game on Feb. 13 after the Bucks game, so approximately at 9:45 p.m., according to Nicholas Kartos of WisHoops.net.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Memorable buzzer beaters
Without a doubt, Emily Bestor's half-court shot at the buzzer to beat Lomira on Thursday night will be remembered for some time.
But what are some other memorable game-winning shots you guys have seen?
I'll start by telling one from my high school days when I was at Milwaukee Marquette. Tosa East came to the Humphrey Gymnasium and, naturally, the game went into double overtime. With Tosa East leading by two, the Raiders missed a free throw. Marquette pushed the ball up the court and Ernest Williams drained a 3-pointer from the wing (right in front of the East student section), and bedlam ensued on the court.
Unfortunately, what happened afterward put a damper on the excitement. Marquette students stormed the court, and a Tosa East player felt he was pushed, so he pushed down the first Marquette student he saw. A Marquette coach confronted the Tosa East player from behind, but the player didn't know what was going on, and punched the coach.
It was an ugly scene that changed the way some schools handle their crowds. Fortunately, nothing like that happened Tuesday night in Lomira.
To discuss your most memorable high school buzzer beater, join the conversation in the SportsTalk forum.
But what are some other memorable game-winning shots you guys have seen?
I'll start by telling one from my high school days when I was at Milwaukee Marquette. Tosa East came to the Humphrey Gymnasium and, naturally, the game went into double overtime. With Tosa East leading by two, the Raiders missed a free throw. Marquette pushed the ball up the court and Ernest Williams drained a 3-pointer from the wing (right in front of the East student section), and bedlam ensued on the court.
Unfortunately, what happened afterward put a damper on the excitement. Marquette students stormed the court, and a Tosa East player felt he was pushed, so he pushed down the first Marquette student he saw. A Marquette coach confronted the Tosa East player from behind, but the player didn't know what was going on, and punched the coach.
It was an ugly scene that changed the way some schools handle their crowds. Fortunately, nothing like that happened Tuesday night in Lomira.
To discuss your most memorable high school buzzer beater, join the conversation in the SportsTalk forum.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
How I voted this week
BOYS
DIVISION 1: 1. Milw. Vincent; 2. Oshkosh West; 3. Milw. Pius; 4. Madison Memorial; 5. Milw. Washington; 6. Milw. King; 7. Verona; 8. Bay View; 9. Appleton East; 10. Oshkosh North.
DIVISION 2: 1. Adams-Friendship; 2. Seymour; 3. New Berlin Eisenhower; 4. Catholic Memorial; 5. Waupun; 6. Union Grove; 7. Rice Lake; 8. Evansville; 9. Brown Deer; 10. River Valley.
DIVISION 3: 1. LaCrosse Aquinas; 2. Manitowoc Roncalli; 3. Oostburg; 4. Cuba City; 5. Iola-Scandinavia; 6. Racine St. Catherine’s; 7. Weyauwega-Fremont; 8. Whitefish Bay Dominican; 9. Laconia; 10. Eau Claire Regis.
DIVISION 4: 1. Randolph; 2. Barneveld; 3. Abbotsford; 4. Eleva-Strum; 5. Elmwood; 6. Suring; 7. Sheboygan Christian; 8. Lena; 9. Seneca; 10. Cassville.
GIRLS
DIVISION 1: De Pere; 2. Milw. Vincent; 3. Sheboygan North; 4. Middleton; 5. Fond du Lac; 6. Franklin; 7. Janesville Parker; 8. Eau Claire North; 9. Milw. Vincent; 10. Verona.
DIVISION 2: 1. Greendale; 2. Columbus; 3. Jefferson; 4. Grafton; 5. New London; 6. Rice Lake; 7. Monroe; 8. Elkhorn; 9. Campbellsport; 10. Wautoma.
DIVISION 3: 1. Cuba City; 2. Oostburg; 3. Amherst; 4. Colfax; 5. Markesan; 6. Park Falls; 7. Manitowoc Roncalli; 8. Ozaukee; 9. Osseo-Fairchild; 10. Mineral Point.
DIVISION 4: 1. Flambeau; 2. Niagara; 3. Clayton; 4. Barneveld; 5. Wausau Newman; 6. Rio’ 7. Pecatonica; 8. Rib Lake; 9. Ithaca; 10. Hurley.
Discuss the rankings and how I voted in the SportsTalk forum.
DIVISION 1: 1. Milw. Vincent; 2. Oshkosh West; 3. Milw. Pius; 4. Madison Memorial; 5. Milw. Washington; 6. Milw. King; 7. Verona; 8. Bay View; 9. Appleton East; 10. Oshkosh North.
DIVISION 2: 1. Adams-Friendship; 2. Seymour; 3. New Berlin Eisenhower; 4. Catholic Memorial; 5. Waupun; 6. Union Grove; 7. Rice Lake; 8. Evansville; 9. Brown Deer; 10. River Valley.
DIVISION 3: 1. LaCrosse Aquinas; 2. Manitowoc Roncalli; 3. Oostburg; 4. Cuba City; 5. Iola-Scandinavia; 6. Racine St. Catherine’s; 7. Weyauwega-Fremont; 8. Whitefish Bay Dominican; 9. Laconia; 10. Eau Claire Regis.
DIVISION 4: 1. Randolph; 2. Barneveld; 3. Abbotsford; 4. Eleva-Strum; 5. Elmwood; 6. Suring; 7. Sheboygan Christian; 8. Lena; 9. Seneca; 10. Cassville.
GIRLS
DIVISION 1: De Pere; 2. Milw. Vincent; 3. Sheboygan North; 4. Middleton; 5. Fond du Lac; 6. Franklin; 7. Janesville Parker; 8. Eau Claire North; 9. Milw. Vincent; 10. Verona.
DIVISION 2: 1. Greendale; 2. Columbus; 3. Jefferson; 4. Grafton; 5. New London; 6. Rice Lake; 7. Monroe; 8. Elkhorn; 9. Campbellsport; 10. Wautoma.
DIVISION 3: 1. Cuba City; 2. Oostburg; 3. Amherst; 4. Colfax; 5. Markesan; 6. Park Falls; 7. Manitowoc Roncalli; 8. Ozaukee; 9. Osseo-Fairchild; 10. Mineral Point.
DIVISION 4: 1. Flambeau; 2. Niagara; 3. Clayton; 4. Barneveld; 5. Wausau Newman; 6. Rio’ 7. Pecatonica; 8. Rib Lake; 9. Ithaca; 10. Hurley.
Discuss the rankings and how I voted in the SportsTalk forum.
Monday, January 29, 2007
The top five players in the area
As promised in today's Reporter, here's my list of the top 5 players in the area. As a disclaimer, I should make it known that I haven't been able to see as many teams as I would have liked. That being said, I feel pretty confident in this list.
1. Scott Gillespie, Ripon: True, the Tigers are having a down year, but this kid is giving it his all every day. According to www.wishoops.net, he's the state's leading scorer at a little more than 26 points per game. Last week, he scored 71 combined points in victories against Wautoma and Omro. Ripon still strikes fear into opponents because of Gillespie.
2. Ryan Rasmussen, Waupun: Aside from what I wrote in today's story, Rasmussen is the one player in the area that has the most college potential. If he improves a little bit more on his shooting touch, he's a bona fide mid-major Division 1 guard. Wouldn't he look good in the Missouri Valley Conference?
3. Eddie Gilgenbach, Fondy: Like Gillespie, he's had to do quite a bit for his team, but unlike Gillespie, Gilgenbach has better talent around him to work with. There are some Division I and II schools interested in the junior, who is shooting his way to a first-team all-Fox Valley Association pick.
4. Matt Haass, Mayville: He's been the unstoppable force in the Wisconsin Flyway all season and shows no signs of slowing down. If football isn't in the cards for the Cardinal, a Division II hoops scholarship would surely be an option.
5. Kieran Weed, Laconia: Without a doubt, he's the most athletic player on this list. It's a three-way race between him, Haass and J.T. Schliewe for player of the year honors in the Wisconsin Flyway.
What's your list? Share your thoughts in the SportsTalk forum.
1. Scott Gillespie, Ripon: True, the Tigers are having a down year, but this kid is giving it his all every day. According to www.wishoops.net, he's the state's leading scorer at a little more than 26 points per game. Last week, he scored 71 combined points in victories against Wautoma and Omro. Ripon still strikes fear into opponents because of Gillespie.
2. Ryan Rasmussen, Waupun: Aside from what I wrote in today's story, Rasmussen is the one player in the area that has the most college potential. If he improves a little bit more on his shooting touch, he's a bona fide mid-major Division 1 guard. Wouldn't he look good in the Missouri Valley Conference?
3. Eddie Gilgenbach, Fondy: Like Gillespie, he's had to do quite a bit for his team, but unlike Gillespie, Gilgenbach has better talent around him to work with. There are some Division I and II schools interested in the junior, who is shooting his way to a first-team all-Fox Valley Association pick.
4. Matt Haass, Mayville: He's been the unstoppable force in the Wisconsin Flyway all season and shows no signs of slowing down. If football isn't in the cards for the Cardinal, a Division II hoops scholarship would surely be an option.
5. Kieran Weed, Laconia: Without a doubt, he's the most athletic player on this list. It's a three-way race between him, Haass and J.T. Schliewe for player of the year honors in the Wisconsin Flyway.
What's your list? Share your thoughts in the SportsTalk forum.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Waupn beats Berlin, 62-54
A couple of quick thoughts on this game before I enjoy the night:
1. If Waupun is going to make it to the state tournament, it will have as much to do with its senior class as it will Ryan Rasmussen and Aris Wurtz. While the juniors get the headlines, the seniors do a lot of dirty work that doesn't get noticed. Seth Hopp had a fantastic game tonight, and when he made a 3-pointer late in the game, your could just sense the fear in other teams that may cross Waupun's path. It's bad enough they have to worry about Rasmussen and Wurtz, but if Bresser and Hopp start hitting their shots, it's going to be a tall task for anyone to beat the Warriors.
2. There is no coach that physically expends more energy on the sideline than Lucky Wurtz.
3. Berlin is a good team and one that shouldn't be taken lightly come tournament time. The Indians were playing without leading scorer Jordan Gerth and still gave Waupun all it could handle. Berlin and Waupun wouldn't cross paths in the tournament until a sectional semifinal, which means the Indians would probably have to upset several Valley 8 teams first. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened.
4. There was a nice crowd on hand for the game, but I thought the Waupun faithful were rather quiet. It might have had to do with the fact they were facing directly toward me, but I thought Berlin's students were much, much louder than any other group in that gym.
For the story on the game, go to http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/FON0101/70126195/1985
To discuss the game in the SportsTalk forum, go here: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewtopic.php?t=388
1. If Waupun is going to make it to the state tournament, it will have as much to do with its senior class as it will Ryan Rasmussen and Aris Wurtz. While the juniors get the headlines, the seniors do a lot of dirty work that doesn't get noticed. Seth Hopp had a fantastic game tonight, and when he made a 3-pointer late in the game, your could just sense the fear in other teams that may cross Waupun's path. It's bad enough they have to worry about Rasmussen and Wurtz, but if Bresser and Hopp start hitting their shots, it's going to be a tall task for anyone to beat the Warriors.
2. There is no coach that physically expends more energy on the sideline than Lucky Wurtz.
3. Berlin is a good team and one that shouldn't be taken lightly come tournament time. The Indians were playing without leading scorer Jordan Gerth and still gave Waupun all it could handle. Berlin and Waupun wouldn't cross paths in the tournament until a sectional semifinal, which means the Indians would probably have to upset several Valley 8 teams first. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened.
4. There was a nice crowd on hand for the game, but I thought the Waupun faithful were rather quiet. It might have had to do with the fact they were facing directly toward me, but I thought Berlin's students were much, much louder than any other group in that gym.
For the story on the game, go to http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/FON0101/70126195/1985
To discuss the game in the SportsTalk forum, go here: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewtopic.php?t=388
Join our SportsTalk forum
In our never-ending quest to offer you more online, we've started SportsTalk, your home for online discussion of Fondy area sports. While this blog also served that function, I feel that a traditional message board format might facilitate more conversation.
Starting today, we offer you this: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewforum.php?f=12
I'll post entries from my blog for you to comment on or other topics. And, you can even come up with your own.
So if you go out to a game tonight and have a comment, feel free to leave it with others on the Friday games thread here: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewtopic.php?t=388
Starting today, we offer you this: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewforum.php?f=12
I'll post entries from my blog for you to comment on or other topics. And, you can even come up with your own.
So if you go out to a game tonight and have a comment, feel free to leave it with others on the Friday games thread here: http://forums.fdlreporter.com/viewtopic.php?t=388
Waupun on verge of putting it away
Nothing will be official until at least next week, but the Waupun boys basketball team can all but end the East Central Flyway Conference championship discussion by beating Berlin tonight.
With a 5-0 record in league play and Berlin and Winneconne tied for second at 3-2, a Waupun victory would give it a three-game lead over everyone but the Wolves with four games to play.
I was on Bob Hoffmaster's radio show this morning talking about the Warriors and he brought up a good point that clinching the conference so early might not be beneficial to their playoff hopes. Granted, every team is going to go out and try to win every game, but how much would it hurt Waupun if it doesn't play a meaningful game over the last two or three weeks of the season?
With a 5-0 record in league play and Berlin and Winneconne tied for second at 3-2, a Waupun victory would give it a three-game lead over everyone but the Wolves with four games to play.
I was on Bob Hoffmaster's radio show this morning talking about the Warriors and he brought up a good point that clinching the conference so early might not be beneficial to their playoff hopes. Granted, every team is going to go out and try to win every game, but how much would it hurt Waupun if it doesn't play a meaningful game over the last two or three weeks of the season?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Comment from a fired-up Fondy fan
I wanted to share with you a comment that a reader left moments after the Fondy boys game tonight. It brings up some good points, especially the lack of fan support at the game on Tuesday night. This is one thing that I find hard to believe. How can a town with such a rich basketball tradition have such a poor following for the basketball team? I know the girls were playing in Oshkosh and the hockey team was in Beaver Dam, but I bet there were more people stuck home in front of a TV last night than were out supporting their school...
Now that's one proud alum. I know there are more of you out there.
I just want to say how proud I am of the Fond du Lac Boys and also the Fond du Lac Girls Basketball Programs. This city has a lot to be proud of. This big victory this Tuesday night against 9th ranked Oshkosh North goes to prove that the Boys program is far from dead.
The Boys have 10 juniors on the team and I look at the FVA web site and look who is sitting on top of the scoring leader board but none other than Eddie Gilgenbach. Fond du Lac has produced numerous scoring leaders since Dick Diener took over the program in the 1980's. Those that are looking at Adam not doing a good job should realize the pressure that is on this 30 year old kid and his staff. Adam has assembled one of the youngest staffs in the conference and I'm proud of Adam as a coach for the future as I was of him as a player and hopefully long time confidant and friend. If you attended the game against Kenosha Bradford on December 28th, you would have seen the past as well as the future.
One thing that has me pondering what is going on at Fond du Lac High School. When we were in the old Goodrich Gym, there would be sell outs after sell outs. Who can forget all the Oshkosh West/North/Kimberly battles. Even further back, I remember the battles that Fond du Lac had in the Fox River Valley Conference against foes such as Green Bay Preble, Manitowoc and Sheboygan North.
What bothered me at the Oshkosh North Home game on Tuesday, January 23rd is that the High School Student Body was so small. Why? What has the student body done wrong that other student bodies are so saintly for. None of us are perfect and I feel that with the atmospheres at the old Goodrich gyms where a lot of memories are treasured for me to make the program as successful for Adam and the boys and Doug and the girls we have to get the fan support back the way it was. Look at Neenah in their hay day. Fond du Lac I urge you to get behind not only the boys and girls but all sports. The kids look up to us as the kids coming up look up to them. What was surprising was that when the upset was almost assured against Oshkosh North the kids on the south Fond du Lac side bleachers were the first to try and get the fans cheering. So let's get a big crowd for the boys game on Friday. Fond du Lac we cana be a power again. The boys are just learning to play under a new scheme and system as well as a brand new coach who is learning as he goes along. Let's get the Boys and Girls into the tournament. I'm a proud alumni of Fond du Lac and always will be.
God bless Fond du Lac and Wisconsin.
Now that's one proud alum. I know there are more of you out there.
What a victory for Fondy
I'm not going to rush out and buy a bunch of Powerball tickets or anything, but I think I'm psychic.
Before Doug Whiteley left to cover Tuesday's Fond du Lac-Oshkosh North boys basketball game, I mentioned that I had a feeling that Fondy would put up a fight. North was coming off a huge game against Oshkosh West just a few nights earlier, and after the disappointment of losing that game may have had a hard time focusing on the gameplan for the Cardinals.
But, to be completely honest, I didn't think they'd win the game.
It's a huge win for the Cards, and is easily the biggest win for Adam Zakos in his short time here.
Looking at the way the schedule shakes out, if Fondy puts together a nice run in the second half here, it could finish in the top half of the Fox Valley Association. What a feat that would be, considering the team had two 30-point losses to North and Appleton West in the first half of the season and has had to deal with injuries to key contributors.
Let's see how Fondy comes out against Kimberly on Friday night. A victory over the Papermakers would send a clear message to the rest of the league that things are starting to come around in this neck of the woods.
Before Doug Whiteley left to cover Tuesday's Fond du Lac-Oshkosh North boys basketball game, I mentioned that I had a feeling that Fondy would put up a fight. North was coming off a huge game against Oshkosh West just a few nights earlier, and after the disappointment of losing that game may have had a hard time focusing on the gameplan for the Cardinals.
But, to be completely honest, I didn't think they'd win the game.
It's a huge win for the Cards, and is easily the biggest win for Adam Zakos in his short time here.
Looking at the way the schedule shakes out, if Fondy puts together a nice run in the second half here, it could finish in the top half of the Fox Valley Association. What a feat that would be, considering the team had two 30-point losses to North and Appleton West in the first half of the season and has had to deal with injuries to key contributors.
Let's see how Fondy comes out against Kimberly on Friday night. A victory over the Papermakers would send a clear message to the rest of the league that things are starting to come around in this neck of the woods.
Monday, January 22, 2007
How I voted this week
Another reason to not trust the AP polls... me. This is the first time I've been able to vote in three weeks. Two weeks ago I had computer problems and last week I had something come up so I wasn't able to vote. I'm not sure how much of an affect it had on the process, but we'll see if anything gets shaken up this week.
Here's how I voted just now:
BOYS
Division 1
1. Milwaukee Vincent
2. Oshkosh West
3. Madison Memorial
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. Milwaukee Washington
6. Appleton East
7. Milwaukee King
8. Oshkosh North
9. Milwaukee Bay View
10. Sheboygan North
Division 2
1. Adams-Friendship
2. Seymour
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Catholic Memorial
5. Waupun
6. Union Grove
7. Rice Lake
8. Evansville
9. Whitewater
10. Brown Deer
Division 3
1. La Crosse Aquinas
2. Manitowoc Roncalli
3. Oostburg
4. Cuba City
5. Iola-Scandinavia
6. Racine St. Catherine’s
7. Weyauwega-Fremont
8. Whitefish Bay Dominican
9. Cameron
10. Kenosha St. Joe’s
Division 4
1. Randolph
2. Barneveld
3. Abbotsford
4. Eleva-Strum
5. Suring
6. Seneca
7. Sheboygan Christian
8. Burlington Catholic Central
9. Lena
10. Elmwood
GIRLS
Division 1
1. De Pere
2. Milwaukee Vincent
3. Sheboygan North
4. Middleton
5. Janesville Parker
6. Fond du Lac
7. Franklin
8. Eau Claire North
9. Verona
10. West Bend East
Division 2
1. Grafton
2. Greendale
3. Columbus
4. New London
5. Jefferson
6. Rice Lake
7. Wautoma
8. Monroe
9. Elkhorn
10. Campellbsport
Division 3
1. Cuba City
2. Oostburg
3. Amherst
4. Colfax
5. Markesan
6. Park Falls
7. Manitowoc Roncalli
8. Ozaukee
9. Osseo-Fairchild
10. Mineral Point
Division 4
1. Barneveld
2. Flambeau
3. Wausau Newman
4. Niagara
5. Clayton
6. Rio
7. Pecatonica
8. Rib Lake
9. Ithaca
10. Hurley
Here's how I voted just now:
BOYS
Division 1
1. Milwaukee Vincent
2. Oshkosh West
3. Madison Memorial
4. Milwaukee Pius
5. Milwaukee Washington
6. Appleton East
7. Milwaukee King
8. Oshkosh North
9. Milwaukee Bay View
10. Sheboygan North
Division 2
1. Adams-Friendship
2. Seymour
3. New Berlin Eisenhower
4. Catholic Memorial
5. Waupun
6. Union Grove
7. Rice Lake
8. Evansville
9. Whitewater
10. Brown Deer
Division 3
1. La Crosse Aquinas
2. Manitowoc Roncalli
3. Oostburg
4. Cuba City
5. Iola-Scandinavia
6. Racine St. Catherine’s
7. Weyauwega-Fremont
8. Whitefish Bay Dominican
9. Cameron
10. Kenosha St. Joe’s
Division 4
1. Randolph
2. Barneveld
3. Abbotsford
4. Eleva-Strum
5. Suring
6. Seneca
7. Sheboygan Christian
8. Burlington Catholic Central
9. Lena
10. Elmwood
GIRLS
Division 1
1. De Pere
2. Milwaukee Vincent
3. Sheboygan North
4. Middleton
5. Janesville Parker
6. Fond du Lac
7. Franklin
8. Eau Claire North
9. Verona
10. West Bend East
Division 2
1. Grafton
2. Greendale
3. Columbus
4. New London
5. Jefferson
6. Rice Lake
7. Wautoma
8. Monroe
9. Elkhorn
10. Campellbsport
Division 3
1. Cuba City
2. Oostburg
3. Amherst
4. Colfax
5. Markesan
6. Park Falls
7. Manitowoc Roncalli
8. Ozaukee
9. Osseo-Fairchild
10. Mineral Point
Division 4
1. Barneveld
2. Flambeau
3. Wausau Newman
4. Niagara
5. Clayton
6. Rio
7. Pecatonica
8. Rib Lake
9. Ithaca
10. Hurley
Monday, January 15, 2007
Check out our Web site and tell your friends
Check out this photo and many others from the last week of action on our Web photo gallery. Our photographers did an awesome job this week, and I especially enjoyed the work Pat Flood did for us this weekend. Luckily, we had some additional space in the regular section, and were able to run some of them larger than usual. The ones that didn't make the paper, you can find in our photo gallery.
Also, remember that we are archiving all of our basketball stories since the beginning of the year in our prep basketball section.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Recruiting update on Weed
He's still got a year left at high school, but it's obvious that Laconia's Kieran Weed is going to be playing somewhere in college.
Right now, that appears to be at the Division 2 level. Weed told me that several D2 schools around the region were interested, and that Michigan Tech may be the early clubhouse leader. He also mentioned St. Cloud State and Minnesota-Duluth.
I think Weed is kind of playing out of position right now. He seems to be more of a natural 3 or wing forward rather than a post player. Granted, that opinion is based solely on what I saw Friday, but I wonder what he'd be able to do from the wing spot.
Also, Tyson Apfelbeck said he's leaning toward going to UW-Whitewater for baseball. I didn't get a chance to see if Matt Haass had any more thoughts on where he was headed, nor did I get to reschedule a rematch of our video game disaster from November. I've been practicing.
Right now, that appears to be at the Division 2 level. Weed told me that several D2 schools around the region were interested, and that Michigan Tech may be the early clubhouse leader. He also mentioned St. Cloud State and Minnesota-Duluth.
I think Weed is kind of playing out of position right now. He seems to be more of a natural 3 or wing forward rather than a post player. Granted, that opinion is based solely on what I saw Friday, but I wonder what he'd be able to do from the wing spot.
Also, Tyson Apfelbeck said he's leaning toward going to UW-Whitewater for baseball. I didn't get a chance to see if Matt Haass had any more thoughts on where he was headed, nor did I get to reschedule a rematch of our video game disaster from November. I've been practicing.
More thoughts on Mayville-Laconia
Friday night was the first time I had a chance to see either Laconia or Mayville, and although the Spartans came away with the 51-44 victory, both teams showed me something.
For starters, Mayville's obvious strength is Matt Haass. At 6-foot-4, he's not exactly the tallest post player around but he's physical enough to get done what he needs to get done. He also showed some nice perimeter skills, including a wicked spin move in the lane on one drive and some nice court vision to find Tyson Apfelbeck for 3-pointer.
That being said, I think its going to fall on the shoulders of the other players on the team to make enough shots to either prevent the double-team or at least soften up defenses enough that it will have to respect the outside shot. It's been a rough stretch of games for the Cardinals, and while the conference championship may be out of reach, there's still time for Mayville to regain some offensive confidence and put together a nice postseason run.
As far as Laconia, I was impressed with the first and fourth quarters, but the second and third have me a bit concerned about their state tournament chances. The one thing I love about this team is that they play with tons of emotion. But that can also be a bad thing. Even coach Tom King said after the game that he thought his team was drained a little in the second and third quarters.
But when Laconia turns it on, man, can they turn it on. Granted, Mayville kind of shot itself in the foot, but that was some fantastic defense the Spartans played in the fourth quarter.
The other thing that impressed me about Laconia was its depth. Kieran Weed is the superstar, but Aaron Rickert and Derek Semenas can score in bunches and the Wittchow boys provided added toughness. I think the Spartans may be the deepest team in the league, something that will help come playoff time.
That was the first game I ever saw at Laconia, and I liked the gym a lot. I bet it got quite loud there back in the day.
Finally, take a look at this picture. Honestly, what is up with the people ignoring Schellpfeffer's perfect shooting form?
For starters, Mayville's obvious strength is Matt Haass. At 6-foot-4, he's not exactly the tallest post player around but he's physical enough to get done what he needs to get done. He also showed some nice perimeter skills, including a wicked spin move in the lane on one drive and some nice court vision to find Tyson Apfelbeck for 3-pointer.
That being said, I think its going to fall on the shoulders of the other players on the team to make enough shots to either prevent the double-team or at least soften up defenses enough that it will have to respect the outside shot. It's been a rough stretch of games for the Cardinals, and while the conference championship may be out of reach, there's still time for Mayville to regain some offensive confidence and put together a nice postseason run.
As far as Laconia, I was impressed with the first and fourth quarters, but the second and third have me a bit concerned about their state tournament chances. The one thing I love about this team is that they play with tons of emotion. But that can also be a bad thing. Even coach Tom King said after the game that he thought his team was drained a little in the second and third quarters.
But when Laconia turns it on, man, can they turn it on. Granted, Mayville kind of shot itself in the foot, but that was some fantastic defense the Spartans played in the fourth quarter.
The other thing that impressed me about Laconia was its depth. Kieran Weed is the superstar, but Aaron Rickert and Derek Semenas can score in bunches and the Wittchow boys provided added toughness. I think the Spartans may be the deepest team in the league, something that will help come playoff time.
That was the first game I ever saw at Laconia, and I liked the gym a lot. I bet it got quite loud there back in the day.
Finally, take a look at this picture. Honestly, what is up with the people ignoring Schellpfeffer's perfect shooting form?
Thursday, January 11, 2007
What is going on with the Fondy boys?
I think we all knew that it was going to be a tough year when it came to wins and losses for the Fond du Lac boys basketball team, but even the most positive Cardinals fan had to be a bit disappointed with Tuesday's 31-point loss to Appleton West.
It was especially a surprise considering Fondy's performance in a 60-55 loss to Kaukauna last Thursday. While I wasn't at the game, I understand that the Cards played well and probably should have come away with a victory. But on Tuesday, Appleton West just couldn't miss in the first two quarters and before Fondy knew what hit it, West had a 30-point lead.
This is the first step back that Fondy has taken all season. Taking away the loss to Oshkosh West, I think Fondy has shown signs of improvement in each game its played. Not on Tuesday.
However, there were some encouraging signs. There were several loose balls in the second half, and despite being down by 30 points, Fondy players showed no hesitation in diving on those loose balls. Eddie Gilgenbach played a pretty strong second half. But it was just Appleton West's night.
I think Friday's game will tell a lot about where this team is headed. I know there aren't too many coaches in the state that hate losing as much as Adam Zakos, and I know that he's going to have no problem getting the team ready to play on Friday against Appleton North.
Whether or not Fondy can turn that into a victory remains to be seen. But you can bet whatever happens on Friday will be better than what happened on Tuesday.
It was especially a surprise considering Fondy's performance in a 60-55 loss to Kaukauna last Thursday. While I wasn't at the game, I understand that the Cards played well and probably should have come away with a victory. But on Tuesday, Appleton West just couldn't miss in the first two quarters and before Fondy knew what hit it, West had a 30-point lead.
This is the first step back that Fondy has taken all season. Taking away the loss to Oshkosh West, I think Fondy has shown signs of improvement in each game its played. Not on Tuesday.
However, there were some encouraging signs. There were several loose balls in the second half, and despite being down by 30 points, Fondy players showed no hesitation in diving on those loose balls. Eddie Gilgenbach played a pretty strong second half. But it was just Appleton West's night.
I think Friday's game will tell a lot about where this team is headed. I know there aren't too many coaches in the state that hate losing as much as Adam Zakos, and I know that he's going to have no problem getting the team ready to play on Friday against Appleton North.
Whether or not Fondy can turn that into a victory remains to be seen. But you can bet whatever happens on Friday will be better than what happened on Tuesday.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Waupun not shooting well?
The No. 1 team in The Reporter's Power Poll since the season started has been Waupun.
The Warriors are 7-1 and now 3-0 in the East Central Flyway, poised to win the conference championship and possibly advance deep into the playoffs.
Depending on how what you call four ounces of water in an 8-oz. glass, the best may be yet to come for Waupun.
"You know, we are off to a good start, but we haven't been shooting that well," Waupun coach Lucky Wurtz told me on the phone last night when reporting his team's 66-54 victory over WLA.
That may be a scary sight. Nobody runs the floor in the area better than Waupun and if the outside shots start to fall, the Warriors are going to be a tough, tough out come playoff time.
The Warriors are 7-1 and now 3-0 in the East Central Flyway, poised to win the conference championship and possibly advance deep into the playoffs.
Depending on how what you call four ounces of water in an 8-oz. glass, the best may be yet to come for Waupun.
"You know, we are off to a good start, but we haven't been shooting that well," Waupun coach Lucky Wurtz told me on the phone last night when reporting his team's 66-54 victory over WLA.
That may be a scary sight. Nobody runs the floor in the area better than Waupun and if the outside shots start to fall, the Warriors are going to be a tough, tough out come playoff time.
WiFly is going to be a mess
Not that anyone should be really surprised by this, but the Wisconsin Flyway continues to be jammed at the top.
With Horicon's 20-point victory over Mayville Thursday night, three teams are tied atop the conference standings. The two Marshland rivals and Laconia are tied with 3-1 records.
While there are still eight conference games left, I'd expect this to be a familiar sight. I really don't see any of the trio falling too far behind, meaning it will be quite difficult for any of the three to pull that far ahead.
That being said, I'm still sticking with my preseason prediction of Laconia to win the league title. Mayville has the conference's top player in Matt Haass, Horicon has the most experience but Laconia has the most depth, especially now that Zach Wittchow has returned to the fray.
The Spartans have home games coming up with both Mayville (Jan. 12) and Horicon (Jan. 18). A sweep would give Laconia the one step over each team that might be enough to win the conference title. A split would probably do no harm. Two losses might be too much to overcome.
With Horicon's 20-point victory over Mayville Thursday night, three teams are tied atop the conference standings. The two Marshland rivals and Laconia are tied with 3-1 records.
While there are still eight conference games left, I'd expect this to be a familiar sight. I really don't see any of the trio falling too far behind, meaning it will be quite difficult for any of the three to pull that far ahead.
That being said, I'm still sticking with my preseason prediction of Laconia to win the league title. Mayville has the conference's top player in Matt Haass, Horicon has the most experience but Laconia has the most depth, especially now that Zach Wittchow has returned to the fray.
The Spartans have home games coming up with both Mayville (Jan. 12) and Horicon (Jan. 18). A sweep would give Laconia the one step over each team that might be enough to win the conference title. A split would probably do no harm. Two losses might be too much to overcome.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
WisHoops updates its rankings
For those of you that have a WisHoops.net Courtside subscription, Mark Miller has updated his player rankings for boys basketball.
For those of you that don't have a Courtside subscription, you better get one. Miller forgets more about prep basketball in this state every night than I will ever pretend to know in a lifetime. So you should go check it out here.
Also, I'm going to be helping with the broadcast of Friday's Fond du Lac-Kaukauna girls basketball game on KFIZ-AM 1450, so tune in for more hilarity.
For those of you that don't have a Courtside subscription, you better get one. Miller forgets more about prep basketball in this state every night than I will ever pretend to know in a lifetime. So you should go check it out here.
Also, I'm going to be helping with the broadcast of Friday's Fond du Lac-Kaukauna girls basketball game on KFIZ-AM 1450, so tune in for more hilarity.
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