Win streak is snapped

Raiders halt Wildcats’ six straight wins

By Casey Krautkramer

Edgar’s varsity girls basketball team captured its sixth consecutive victory after beating Wausau Newman, 55-35, on Thursday at home. Edgar couldn’t extend its winning streak to seven games, however, after suffering a 44-34 loss at Marathon on Tuesday.

The Wildcats winning streak might now be over, but the team has formed strong chemistry since senior Skylee Manecke returned from sickness and sophomore Makayla Wirkus came back from an ankle injury to help the team win the Northland Pines tournament at the end of December.

During Edgar’s streak of six victories in a row, the team handed Auburndale its first Marawood South Conference loss and it gave Athens only its second defeat this season.

Wildcats junior Reagan Borchardt, the daughter of Jason and Penny (Hall) Borchardt, found her groove on the basketball court during the Christmas break. She said her head coach, Tom McCarty, told her she needed to step up her play during practice to become one of the team’s leaders this season.

“Before Christmas break, my coach told me I wasn’t showing a lot in practices,” Reagan Borchardt said. “He told me I was doing good but that I had more in me to do better, and that I needed to start showing it because I could play better in games. I think I’ve improved in practice by working harder and pushing my teammates more, and I think it’s paying off.”

Reagan Borchardt led Edgar with 18 points and junior Leah Davis added 10. Senior Karlin Lipinski contributed eight points and Manecke had seven.

Marathon swept the regular-season series against Edgar, following Tuesday’s 44-34 home victory. The Red Raiders jumped out to a 23-14 halftime advantage and held on for the win.

Red Raiders senior Allison Wokatsch scored 21 of the team’s 44 points against the Wildcats. She also paced the squad with nine rebounds. Senior Malia Hoesly led the Wildcats with 13 points.

Marathon improves its record to 5-3 in the Marawood South Conference and 7-6 overall this season, while Edgar falls to 6-4 in the South and 11-5 overall.

The Red Raider girls lost to the Auburndale Eagles, 62-45, at home on Thursday.

Senior Allison Wokatsch led Marathon with 15 points and three assists, while senior Laci Hoeksema added 13 points and eight rebounds. Junior Kali Prihoda paced the team with two steals.

Raider and Wildcat boys

Marathon’s varsity boys basketball team lost to Mosinee, 62-53, on the road Tuesday. Marathon falls to 11-2 overall this season while Mosinee is 13-1. Mosinee’s only defeat this season is against Stratford.

The Red Raiders downed the Auburndale Eagles, 57-44, on Friday at home. Sophomore Grant Warren led Marathon with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Jaden Koeller contributed 17 points and he paced the team with four steals. Senior Ben Robbins added 13 points. Senior Nathan Hanke led the Red Raiders with four assists.

Marathon beat Wisconsin Rapids Assumption, 81-43, on the road Jan. 11. Warren led the Red Raiders with 23 points and nine rebounds. Koeller added 13 points and Robbins had 12. Sophomore Tyler Underwood paced the team with three steals. Nathan Hanke led the squad with five assists.

Edgar’s varsity boys basketball team lost a nail biter, 68-66, at Prentice on Monday. Senior Everet Brehm led the Wildcats with 18 points and senior Ashtyn Schuett added 10. Junior Justin Davis and sophomore Teegan Streit contributed eight points apiece. Edgar falls to 7-6 overall this season.

Edgar edged Wausau Newman, 49- 46, on Friday at home. Senior Ayden Weisenberger and sophomore Karter Butt led the Wildcats with 11 points each, while sophomore Brett Baumgartner added 10. Ashtyn Schuett paced the team with 10 rebounds and four steals. Brehm and Butt led Edgar with four assists each.

LIFT OFF- Edgar junior Olystra Baumann shoots a three pointer on Thursday during her team’s 55-35 win against Wausau Newman, to the consternation of Cardinals head coach Luke Knoedler in the background. Knoedler is the principal at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic School in Athens.STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

HUSTLING TO THE HOOP- Athens junior Nathan Wolf attempts a shot in the lane during the Bluejays’ 66-37 home win against the Spencer Rockets on Monday.STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER