Randolph shows D4 dominance

For the past 10 years or so Randolph has been the class of division four year in and year out and every so often there is a team or teams that people believe can challenge Randolph for that title. Typically it ends the same Randolph shows their dominance and every so often, an extremely rare occurrence, a team will take that title for a year from Randolph but, the next year Randolph is right back at the top. Well on Monday night Green Lake was the team many people believed that this was a team that could defeated Randolph but, after the game Randolph was still sitting as the top team.

Watching warm ups I thought that Green Lake had a legit chance as they start three guys that are 6'4 and taller that all move very well and look comfortable on the court. Like many D4 teams I questioned their depth though outside of those three players. Randolph didn't look like anything impressive in warm ups but, that didn't mean much for a Randolph team and they did have 6'10 senior Kyle Kelm, who is a shoe in for all state and maybe even a first teamer.

From the tip this game was extremely intense and both teams seemed very excited for this game. Green Lake game out gunning hit a pair of threes, while Randolph looked to Kelm to do the bulk of their scoring. At the end of one quarter the score was 10-10 but, Green Lake big man 6'5 sophomore Matt Van Scyoc had two fouls. In the second quarter Randolph stepped up the defense which flustered Green Lake a bit and they started to turn the ball over. Randolph struggled to find their range but, absolutely dominated the boards on both ends which allowed them second chances which the converted on or where fouled. Half time score was 23-17. Third quarter was much the same as Randolph continued to get second and third chances while Green Lake couldn't get the ball to stay in the rim. Randolph extended their lead to 10 at the end of third and midway through the fourth the lead had grown to 14 before Green Lake began taking a large amount of threes and started to hit a few. In the end Randolph hit their free throws and got the 44-34 win. Lead would of been more but, Randolph struggled from the free throw line and couldn't put the game away early.

Top Players
Kyle Kelm 6'10 senior Randolph- Did a great job of finding an opening at the free throw line against the Green Lake zone and getting to the rim and scoring.
Ben Syvertson 6'2 senior Randolph- This was the guy that probably won the game for Randolph. Did a great job going hard to the rim and rebounding and was also one of the few players for Randolph that would attack the rim off the bounce. Also guarded Green Lake's top player Brad Brooks.
Brad Brooks 6'5 senior Green Lake- Big guy that moves very well. Struggled a bit but, you could tell this kid was a star and really looked like a ball player. Did a nice job of guarding Kelm in man to man defense.

Box Score starter in Italics
Randolph- Kelm 19 Syvertson 9 TJ Huizenga 6 Brian Kampstra 5 Zach Reuter 4 Mike Thoreson 0 Jay Fish 0 Brandon Zimmerman 0
Green Lake- Brooks 10 Matt Neubauer 6 Conor Mc Elligott 6 Curtis Morgan 5 Matt Van Scyoc 5 Alex Van Lanen 2 Nate Polcyn 0 Noah Polcyn 0

I hontesly expected Randolph to win this game far easier then what they did but, then I have to remember that Green Lake is one of the top teams and have a very good chance to get to state. I'm still taking Randolph to win state but, I'm not sure it will be as easy as I previous had thought.