Bluejays start fast and then hold on for the win
Squad fends off pesky Marathon
By Casey Krautkramer
The Athens varsity boys basketball team aggressively built a commanding 37-25 halftime lead against Marathon on Friday, and the Bluejays fended off a fierce Red Raiders’ rally for a 73-69 road win.
Athens literally took it to Marathon in the first half. Bluejays senior Dane Diethelm, who isn’t afraid of making contact with a defender, passed up an open shot so he could drive to the basket and get fouled by Red Raiders senior Mike Hahn. Diethelm sank both free throws.
Later in the first half, Athens began splashing three pointers during a 9-2 scoring run to give the Bluejays a 21-11 lead against the Red Raiders. Junior Cooper Diedrich drained a pair of treys to give Athens a large advantage.
Marathon junior guard Jaden Koeller drained a three pointer to halt Athens’ 9-2 scoring run. Koeller’s three treys in the first half gave the Red Raiders a fighting change against the Bluejays. He also sank a long twopoint basket as the buzzer sounded to end the first half.
The Red Raiders outscored the Bluejays, 44-36, in the second half to only lose by four points. Sophomore Aiden Janke led Athens with a game-high 28 points. Janke also led the the Bluejays with 11 rebounds and he tied with Diedrich for the team lead in steals with two apiece.
Diedrich added 12 points for Athens, while senior Cobie Ellenbecker and Diethelm contributed eight points each. Diethelm paced the Bluejays with five assists and Diedrich added four. Athens shot 56 percent from the floor on 27 of 48 shooting against Marathon.
Marathon senior Brock Warren scored 14 of his team-high 22 points in the second half against Athens. Koeller chipped in 17 points.
Athens then beat Owen-Withee, 56-39, on the road Saturday. Diethelm scored a team-high 22 points, while Diedrich added 19. Diethelm also led the Bluejays with five assists, while Diedrich and Cobie Ellenbecker had three assists each. Janke led Athens with nine rebounds and junior Kody Lepak had five. Diedrich paced the Bluejays with four steals.
The Bluejays, 13-3 overall, remain in contention to win their first conference championship since 1950. Athens has a 6-3 record in the Marawood North Conference and Prentice is 6-2. Athens has conference losses to Edgar, Prentice and Wausau Newman. Prentice’s conference defeats are to Edgar and Marathon.
Athens plays against Prentice on Monday, Feb. 8, at home in a pivotal conference matchup that’ll probably determine whether the Bluejays or Buccaneers win the Marawood North title this season.
Marathon’s boys basketball squad rebounded from its defeat to Athens by downing Auburndale, 59-51, on the road Tuesday.
The Red Raiders improve their record to 6-4 in the Marawood South Conference and 14-4 overall this season.
