Tiger girls win holiday tourney

Wildcat girls on hot streak

By Casey Krautkramer

The Stratford varsity girls basketball team won both games last Wednesday and Thursday to capture its home holiday tournament championship.

Stratford beat Cochrane-Fountain City, 58-54, in a close game on Wednesday to advance into the holiday tournament’s first-place game on Thursday against Shullsburg. Senior center Lauren Kraus led the Tigers with 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Daisy Yoder provided the team with a needed spark off the bench with 11 points and four assists. Lexie Christopherson contributed nine points and three steals, while Ella Heidmann added seven points and seven rebounds.

The Tigers beat the Shullsburg Miners, 51-40, on Thursday in the Stratford holiday tournament championship. Bailey Linzmaier led Stratford with 18 points and Tessa Berg added 14. Kraus had a solid all-around game with 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots. Lexie Christopherson had four assists as the Tigers improve their overall record to 6-3 this season.

Tammie Christopherson, Stratford head coach, was pleased with her team’s performance in both its home holiday tournament games.

“It was an excellent team effort and everyone contributed to the tournament win,” she said. “The girls played really well together and they were able to beat two tough teams. We are excited to get back into conference play after the holiday break.”

She said this is a rotating holiday tournament between Shullsburg, Bangor, Marathon and Cochrane-Fountain City. In 2023, Cochrane-Fountain City will host the tournament.

Wildcats on a tear

Edgar’s varsity girls basketball team picked up a pair of big wins in last week’s Sentry Classic at UW-Stevens Point. Edgar beat Amherst, 49-31, and Marshfield Columbus, 50-45.

Senior Reagan Borchardt led Edgar with 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in the victory against Marshfield Columbus and she had nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks in the victory against Amherst. Makayla Wirkus had 10 points and 11 rebounds against Amherst along with 13 points and eight rebounds against Marshfield Columbus. Leah Davis had 11 points against Marshfield Columbus.

The Edgar girls overcame an 11-point deficit on Tuesday against Auburndale to gain a 54-37 road win. Three Wildcats obtained double-digit scoring with Wirkus having 14 points, Borchardt 13 and Davis 10. Edgar improved its season record to 8-2.

Raiders split in Wautoma

Marathon’s varsity girls basketball squad lost its first game, 54-51, to Lodi in last week’s Wautoma tournament before beating Colby, 42-27, in its final tournament game. Senior Kali Prihoda led Marathon with 26 points and 10 rebounds against Lodi. Prihoda also led the team with 16 points, six steals and 17 rebounds against Colby. Ashley Phakitthong also had 16 points against the Hornets.

Marathon head coach Jeff Schneider was proud of his team’s performance despite the loss to Lodi.

“I’m really proud of the girls’ effort tonight even though we came a little short against Lodi,” he said. “Kali Prihoda was phenomenal and we had many girls do a lot of good things.”

The Red Raiders fell to the undefeated Wisconsin Rapids Assumption Royals, 66-38, on Tuesday at home. Marathon now has a 5-6 overall record this season.

Edgar boys 1-1 in tourney

The Edgar varsity boys basketball team lost a close game, 68-65, to Milwaukee Audubon in last week’s Port Washington tournament. Edgar was able to beat Milwaukee Pulaski, 61-44, in the tournament. Senior Justin Davis led the Wildcats with 21 points and Teegan Streit added 15 points in the defeat to Milwaukee Audubon. Brett Baumgartner paced the squad with 23 points and Streit had 13 points in the team’s victory against Milwaukee Pulaski.

Edgar beat Spencer, 52-34, Monday on the road. Baumgartner paced the Wildcats with 23 points and Leyton Schuett added 13. Edgar improves its record to 7-5 this season.

Raider boys win

Marathon’s varsity boys basketball team easily beat Spencer, 78-44, on Thursday at home to improve its record to 7-1 this season. Mason Seehafer and Grant Warren tied for the team lead with 22 points each. Warren had 14 rebounds and four blocked shots while Seehafer had 11 rebounds and four assists.

Northern badger champion-Marathon freshman wrestler Blake Underwood won the 106-pound weight class at last week’s Northern Badger Wrestling Classic at River Falls High School.PHOTO BY SHELLEY PINTOR