Madison Lafollette Still Without Their First Win

You really have to feel bad for Madison Lafollette. Yes I thought they were overrated when the preseason rankings came out and they were picked second in the Big Eight Conference and 10th in the state but, no one saw an 0-5 start. Every game they've been right there and could of easily of won three of those five games. They lead for about 29 of 32 minutes in their opening game against Milwaukee Washington, a premier team in the league. Maybe if Lafollette beat Washington this season could be completely different with Lafollette sitting at 5-0. Right now Lafollette just doesn't have the "IT" factor to close out games and also lack inside presence.

The lack of inside presence was very evident in the most recent lost to Beloit, 62-57, when Beloit big man 6'5 senior Marshall Davis went for 31 points. Early on Lafollette looked to push the tempo and get out and run and Beloit was very content running right with them. Lafollette was able to get some easy baskets while everything Beloit threw up seemed to drop. I was surprised that throughout the entire game neither team took advantage of their huge advantage at the 4 position. For Beloit 6'6 senior Terrell Parks was matched up on Lafollette's 6'3 senior Chris Redman. Redman is a listed at a very generous 6'3 and Parks probably could of posted him up all day but, choose to play out on the perimeter and not use his size. On the other side Lafollette could of probably spread the floor and let Redmand go one on one with Parks but, Redman seemed content just passing the ball away or pulling up for a mid range jumper which was blocked twice.

Second half there was one story, Marshall Davis. I've said it a many times, Lafollette lacks an inside and presence and it was very evident in this game as Davis was able to score at will with his back to the basket and the times he didn't score he was fouled. When Davis went to the line more times then not he was going to knock the shots down. Lafollette continued to look to push the ball which lead to easy baskets as Beloit was very lazy getting back on defense many times. In the end Davis was just too much and very poor timing of a technical foul on Lafollette's coach sealed the game.

For Beloit there really isn't much to talk about other then Marshall Davis. Davis was a one man team in the game. Davis teams with Parks to form a very solid and athletic front court and their backcourt is just as solid as the rotate six different guys in at the three guard spots and don't lose a thing one through six.

5'11 junior DJ Fuller was once again the leader for Lafollette as he was able to get inside at will but, unfortunatly his passes found surprised teammates who would drop of bobble the ball. Fuller would of probably had close to double digit assists had his teammates held unto the ball. Tonight it seemed no one wanted to shoot the ball besides Fuller. Chris Redman seems to be in coach William's doghouse right now as he didn't start the game and every time Redman did anything wrong he was instantly pulled. This call Redman to never really get into the game as he missed two layups, had a charging call on him, and also had his one technical foul. 6'0 senior Brett Klinker is instant scoring when he comes in as he hit two quick threes as soon as he hit the floor.

Top Players
Marshall Davis 6'5 senior Beloit- Unstoppable tonight. Also a very good free throw shooter for a big man. Also love the goggles.
Terrell Parks 6'6 senior Beloit- Would like to see him play down low more but, runs the court very well and also rebounds pretty good.
DJ Fuller 5'11 junior Lafollette- I don't know if anyone in the state can stay in front of this kid. Can finish at the hoop with a variety of shots.
Brett Klinkner 6'0 senior Lafollette- Very good three point shooter. Instant points off the bench.
Maher Hakim 5'9 senior Lafollette- Solid defender with a very nice floater on offense, can also knock down the three.

Score
Madison Lafollette- 57
Beloit- 62

Box Score (starters in bold and italics)
Lafollette- Fuller 16 Hakim 9 Jon Dybevik 7 Klinkner 7 Ryan Waeffler 6 Lucas DuBois 6 Jaren Singh 4 Redman 2 Kijuan Smith 0
Beloit- Davis 31 Parks 8 Sharod Stone 6 KJ Evans 5 Jordan Young 5 Jahlil Smith 4 Eric Sims 3 Dakot Lindsey 0 Robert Douglas 0

I'm interested to see Beloit play Madison Memorial because Beloit is probably the most athletic team in the conference outside of Memorial. I'm not sure if the Beloit guards can handle the Memorial press but, should be a very fun and interesting game to watch. Madison Lafollette is really struggling right now but, I think they will turn things around and should finish with a record close to .500.