Janesville Craig over Madison Edgewood

Tonight I took in my first high school basketball game of the year. I went down to Madison to check out the Edgewood vs Craig game. As usual Edgewood is a very undersized team that has a lot of scrappy players that give 110%. Edgewoods only real height is their star senior Derek Braucht who is 6'6 but, is not much of a low post player and whose game is more suited to the perimeter. Janesville Craig is a team with some height that has a very good inside game but, lacks any perimeter scoring.

The game started off with Craig taking an early lead using their size to score on the inside. Craig came out in a man to man defense which surprised me a bit since last year they played mostly zone but, then I realized they were switching on nearly every cut and pick, so it was basically the same defense as last year. The two big men for Craig, a pair of 6'6 seniors Will Clanfield and JoJo Pregont, were able to use a nice high low game to get Craig going early on. 6'3 senior Kyle Goike was also able to knock down a pair of three pointers to help pace the Cougars. Edgewood was able to hang tough as they were able to dominate the boards despite being vastly out sized by Craig and were able to knock down some threes, including a three at the buzzer that sent the game to halftime tied at 23 a piece. Braucht carried Edgewood for the first half scoring half of the teams points primarily by penetrating to the inside. AJ Fredricks came off the bench for Craig looking to score right away and was probably the leading scorer in the second quarter.

In the second half Edgewood came out looking to press and were able to force Craig into some turnovers and some erratic play on the offensive end. Pregont as still able to get out on a few fast breaks though and finish a couple and one baskets. The second half also saw Edgewoods bench make an impression with 5'10 senior Scott Hird knocking down a big three and then a long two late in the game. Craigs height ended up being too much in the end as Pregont had a big fourth quarter on the defensive end having about five blocks as well as being able to get back inside and score on offense. Goike knocked down a three at the end to help seal the game. Edgewood did have their chances though as they missed a pair of free throws at the end that could of tied the game.

Final Score
Janesville Craig 49
Madison Edgewood 46

Box Score
Craig- J. Pregont 18, Goike 15, Fredricks 7, Brad Cagney 4, Joe Kennedy 3, Clanfield 2, Cody Dare 0, Keith Wright 0, Brett Bates 0, Michael Pregont 0
Edgewood- Braucht 17, Hird 8, Mario Minnart 7, Patrick Lagman 5, Christiaan Wabers 5, Bruin Armwald 2, Connor Balczewski 2, Joe Docter 0, Michael Eshun 0, Noah Kachelski 0

Top Players
JoJo Pregont 6'6 senior Janesville Craig- Very solid in the post on the offensive and defensive end. Great shot blocker on defense. On offense scores in the post, in transition, and is a solid free throw shooter.
Kyle Goike 6'3 senior Janesville Craig- Very solid three point shooter. If he has time to set his feet Goike will knock down the shot.
AJ Fredricks 6'2 senior Janesville Craig- As I mentioned earlier a bench player that comes in looking to score right away. Maybe shoots a little too much but, goes to the hoop hard and can knock down the outside shot. Is also a very solid aggressive defensive player.
Derek Braucht 6'6 senior Madison Edgewood- Has a very smooth outside game. Will be able to play at the next level as a perimeter player but, forced to play inside because of Edgewood's lack of height. I love how he lets the game come to him and doesn't force too much. When the threes there he takes it or when they can't get anything going on offense he looks to penetrate and score or get fouled.
Scott Hird 5'10 senior Madison Edgewood- Another kid that came off the bench looking to score. As mentioned early came in and knocked down some big shots.

Within the next two days I'll be doing a preview of the Big Eight conference and will be checking out the Dells game on Tuesday and then possible the Madison Lafollete vs Milwaukee Washington on Saturday.