Stratford boys extend long winning streak

By Casey Krautkramer

Stratford’s varsity boys basketball team won its seventh straight game with Tuesday’s 68-46 home win against Wisconsin Rapids Assumption. The Tigers shot 60 percent overall from the floor against the Royals, including 66 percent on two-point field goals and 50 percent on three pointers.

Senior guard Alec Chapel led four Stratford players in double-digit scoring with 18 points against Assumption. He also led the Tigers with six rebounds. Junior guard Riley Spindler added 14 points while senior forward Kaden Foster added 11 points and senior guard Drew Bruesewitz had 10 points. Junior guard Brooks Vanderhoof paced the Tigers with six assists and Bruesewitz had five assists.

The Tigers improve their overall record to 11-1 this season and are ranked No. 5 in this week’s wissports.net Division 4 coaches poll.

Stratford beat Abbotsford, 70-35, on the road Friday. Bruesewitz led the Tigers with 16 points. Senior forward Jett Schoenherr contributed 13 points while junior forward Brady Berg and Vanderhoof added nine points each. Vanderhoof paced the Tigers with five steals while Chapel added four and senior guard Caleb Wrensch had three. Bruesewitz, Chapel and Schoenherr led Stratford with five rebounds apiece. The Tigers now have a much-anticipated road matchup against the Auburndale Eagles at 7:15 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 17. Auburndale has won six straight games and also has only one conference loss this season. The Eagles have an 11-1 overall record this season.

Raiders fall in double OT

Marathon’s boys basketball team fell just short, 72-69, during Tuesday’s double overtime home thriller against Auburndale. Senior guard Blake Raab scored a game-high 30 points for the Eagles. Junior forward Drew Woelfel led four Marathon players in double-digit scoring with 17 points followed by sophomore Garrett Bracewell with 13 points, senior Cody Radtke with 12 points and junior True Thurs with 11 points.

The Red Raiders currently have an 8-4 overall record this season.

Marathon edged Prentice, 64-61, on the road Friday. Bracewell led the Red Raiders with 18 points. Thurs, Woelfel and Ean Shuda scored eight points each. Woelfel led Marathon with nine rebounds. Bracewell and Thurs paced the squad with five steals each.

‘Cat boys win two straight

Edgar’s varsity boys basketball squad beat Newman Catholic, 60-52, on the road Tuesday. The Wildcats improve their record to 5-7 overall this season.

Wildcats sophomore Carson Nowak sank a free throw with no time left on the clock to force Thursday’s road game against the Athens Bluejays into overtime. Edgar then beat Athens, 65-62, in the extra frame.

Edgar head coach Zach Paul was proud of Novak’s clutch effort to tie the game and force overtime.

“He played a great game, recording his first varsity double-double,” he said.

Junior Gavin Mauer led Edgar with 24 points and senior Leyton Schuett added 18 points and eight rebounds. Nowack contributed 11 points and he paced the Wildcats with 10 rebounds.

Athens lost, 62-52, to Prentice at home on Tuesday. The Bluejays’ record falls to 1-9 this season.

Edgar girls win two straight

Junior Brandi Halvorsen scored 13 points to help lead the Edgar varsity girls basketball team to a 37-34 non-conference road win against Loyal on Monday. Senior guard Chloe Mellenberger led Edgar with 17 points and six steals in its 57-44 road win against Athens on Friday. Senior Emery Borchardt added 14 points and she paced the Wildcats with 10 rebounds. Edgar improves its record to 6-10 overall this season.

Jay girls halt losing streak

The Athens varsity girls basketball squad beat Chequamegon, 56-43, on Mon-

See BASKETBALL/ page 11

A TRUE PLAYMAKER - Stratford senior guard Drew Bruesewitz drives down the lane for a basket during his team’s 70-35 road win against Abbotsford on Friday.

TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD

NOWAK ENJOYS CAREER GAME - Edgar sophomore Carson Nowak, shown here playing against Stratford earlier this season, achieved the first double-double of his young varsity basketball playing career in his team’s 65-62 overtime road win against Athens on Thursday.

STAFF PHOTO/CASEY KRAUTKRAMER

HARD DRIVE TO THE HOOP - Athens junior Katelyn DenOtter goes up for a shot in Thursday’s 64-36 non-conference road loss to Cadott. PHOTO BY GINNA YOUNG Basketball

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day at home to snap its nine-game losing streak this season. Senior Bailey Hanke led Athens with 16 points and she had six steals. Freshman Itzel Espinoza-Quiroz added 15 points and sophomore Ellis Baer had 13. Junior Vanessa Espinoza-Quiroz paced the Bluejays with seven steals. Athens improves its record to 2-9 overall this season. Athens lost, 64-36, to Cadott in Thursday’s road non-conference game.

Raider girls win two straight

Marathon’s varsity girls basketball team dominated Wausau East, 44-17, on the road Tuesday. Marathon beat Prentice, 5035, on the road Friday. Junior Melee Haehlke led the Red Raiders with 14 points against the Lady Buccaneers while junior Emma Love added 13 points and she lead the team with 11 rebounds. Sophomore Katelyn Love paced the team with four steals. Marathon currently has a 10-2 overall record this season.

Tiger girls down Falcons

Stratford’s varsity girls basketball squad upended Abbotsford, 64-21, on the road Friday. Senior guard Kayla Casperson led the Tigers with 20 points and junior Tria Tubbs added 11 points. Senior Daisy Yoder had 10 points and she led the team with four steals. Senior Kassedey Downey paced the Tigers with six rebounds. Stratford improves its record to 10-3 overall this season.

TOP SCORER AGAINST ABBY - Stratford senior guard Kayla Casperson goes up for a basket during her team’s 64-21 road win against Abbotsford on Friday. Casperson led all players with 20 points.

TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD