Athens boys down Abby to halt losing streak

By Casey Krautkramer

The Athens varsity boys basketball team snapped its eight-game losing streak with Friday’s 68-63 road win against Abbotsford.

Junior guard Riley Schultz-Becker led Athens with 21 points and five assists. He also tied junior Kam Zarnke for the team lead in assists with four each. Junior Eli Paul added 14 points while junior Jordan Frahm and Zarnke added nine points apiece. Frahm paced the team with seven rebounds in the win.

Athens improves its record to 2-6 in the Marawood North Conference and 2-9 overall this season while Abbotsford falls to 2-6 in the Marawood North and 4-7 overall.

‘Jay girls fall to Falcons

The Athens varsity girls basketball squad lost to Abbotsford, 54-49, on the road Thursday. Senior Bailey Hanke and freshman Itzel Espinoza-Quiroz led the Bluejays with 12 points each and junior Katelyn DenOtter added nine points. Hanke paced the team with six steals in the loss.

Athens currently has a 2-7 record in the Marawood North and is 2-10 overall this season while Abbotsford is 3-6 in the Marawood North and 3-10 overall.

Tigers lose to Eagles

Strafford’s varsity girls basketball team fell, 51-47, during Thursday’s road game against Auburndale. Senior guard Kayla Casperson led the Tigers with 14 points and sophomore guard Carly Pankratz added 12. Stratford now has a 7-2 record in the Marawood South Conference and is 10-4 overall this season while Auburnale is 7-2 in the Marawood South and 12-2 overall. Wisconsin Rapids Assumption remains in first place in the Marawood South with an 8-0 record.

The Tigers’ varsity boys basketball squad fell short, 50-46, in Friday’s road game against the Auburndale Eagles. Senior guard Brady Bruesewitz led Stratford with 12 points and four assists. Senior forward Alec Chapel added 10 points and he paced the team with five rebounds in the loss.

Stratford now has a 6-2 record in the Marawood Conference and is 11-2 overall this season while Auburndale is in first place with a 7-1 record and is 12-1 overall.

BEATY BATTLES TO GET OFF A SHOT AGAINST ABBY - Athens sophomore Brock Beaty (12) gets off a shot past Abbotsford senior Payton Schreiber’s outstretched arm on Friday during the Bluejays’ 68-63 come-from-behind road win. Athens senior Nick Pittman (2) attempts to screen Schreiber so Beaty can get the shot off.

TP PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD