Middleton bounces back with win against Beloit

This game didn't play out like you would of expected judging by past performances of the two teams. Just one night ago Middleton was routed by 40 points to a Madison Memorial team that seems to be peaking and roughly a week ago Beloit defeated Memorial by roughly 13 points. Judging by those two outcomes you would expect a blow out and that's what we got, early on anyway. The only problem was it was Middleton blowing out Beloit. I came into the game excited to get the chance to see Beloit play given that Beloit had already defeated the two top teams in the conference and state in Madison East and Madison Memorial and seemed guaranteed a place at state after defeating Verona for a second time, their top contender in their sectional. Unfortunately Beloit wasn't anywhere near as impressive as I had expected.

Early on Middleton played a sagging man to man defense and really packed the inside and didn't allow Beloit to penetrate. Beloit seemed content to just take the outside and they weren't falling, frankly they weren't even getting close, air balling a handful of shots. Beloit seemed to have the same defensive philosophy as Middleton but, the only difference was that Middleton was knocking down the open shots that they were given. Middleton had a 15-7 first quarter lead. In the second quarter the outside shots stopped falling for Middleton but, that's when they took advantage of their superior height and were able to get second and third chances. Beloit continued to struggled on the offensive end as they were down 31-14 at half. Third quarter Middleton continued their dominance as they were up 46-28. Late in the third quarter and early in the fourth Middleton's star 6'2 senior Matt Everson came alive using his ball handling skills to get to the rim or get fouled, where he was automatic at the line. It appeared Middleton was ready to go into cruise control when Beloit finally came alive. Beloit seemed to be sparked by a technical foul on Everson, after he did alittle too much trash talking after a basket and then a missed dunk by 6'6 junior Ian Joyce. It seemed Beloit's best offense was putting their head down and just driving to the rim and either getting fouled or making the basket. It seemed throughout the fourth Beloit would make the shot every time and get fouled every time. In the end the calming free throw shooting of Everson helped seal the 59-53 win for Middleton.

Top Players
Matt Everson 6'2 senior Middleton- Had a very solid game making a couple three pointers, posting smaller defenders, and making his free throws. Everson could get anywhere he wanted on the court.
Michael Owen 6'7 senior Middleton- Moves extremely well for a big man and did a nice job of handling Beloit's pressure and was able to knock down the outside shot.
KJ Evans 6'3 senior Beloit- Didn't have a great game but, finally arrived in the fourth quarter scoring 12 points. Just a beast going to the rim and scoring baskets while drawing the contact and getting fouled.

Box Score
Middleton- Everson 22 Owen 14 Shane Adler 8 Corey Nelson 8 Joyce 4 Skylar Yaktus 3 Seth Coyne 0 Connor Wipfli 0 Aaron Katsuma 0 Sonny Bavery 0 Charlie Opitz 0
Beloit- Evans 12 Ahmad Shamsid-Dean 10 Sharod Stone 9 Dennis Crosby 7 Leketreius Broomfield 6 Mike Weston 6 Robert Douglas 3 Cameron Roegner 0

Despite Beloit's disappointing performance I still think that they are the top team in their sectional and have the best chance of getting to state. Their sectional just isn't that strong and like I said earlier they have already defeated the top contender twice this year. It is tough to beat a team three times in a year though so I'm leaving it up to a coin toss between Verona and Beloit as to who will get to state.