Madison Memorial wins Regional

It has to be good to be the Madison Memorial basketball team. They have been to state nine straight years and things just keep falling into place for them to make it a tenth time. This years team isn't nearly as strong as last years team but, their sectional as a whole isn't really that strong either. Their two top teams standing in their way were Sun Prairie and Mukwonago. Sun Prairie who beat Memorial once this year ended up getting upset last night to Middleton who Memorial has defeated twice this year already and then will more then likely meet Mukwonago in Sun Prairie which will give Memorial somewhat of a home court advantage.

Madison Memorial 87 Madison East 54

This game was just flat out Memorials size and pressing that one them this game. East is a very undersized team and with Memorial's size they were able to dominate on the glass getting second and third opportunities. I'm not sure if it's because Memorial had the size advantage of they were looking to feature there junior big man but, Memorial really looked to force feed Tyler Lindquist in the post and Lindquist was able to get position and score at will. In the second half they didn't look inside as much but, there was no need to as the were able to force turnovers over and over and get easy buckets on the other end. Memorial really looked to push the tempo whether it was on the turnovers or rebounds. In the third quarter Memorial was able to push their lead from seven to 27 by, pushing that tempo.

Top Players
Jester Weah 6'4 senior Madison Memorial- Really showed his whole package of athleticism. Hitting the midrange jumper, running the court, and putting back offensive rebounds.
Tyler Lindquist 6'6 junior Madison Memorial- As always really battled on the glass on both ends of the court and really showed the ability to score in the post when his team mates went to him.

Madison Memorial 59 Madison Lafollette 56

Unlike the previous night this game was a real struggle for Memorial throughout. This game was fast passed early on but, Lafollette was able to slow the pace and look inside to Nygel Drury who was able to score over the Memorial big man who were strapped with foul trouble early. Also the strong play of sophomore point guard, Darold Thomas, against the Memorial pressure allowed them to keep this game close throughout. Memorial wasn't hitting anything but, they were able to grab offensive rebounds and get put backs and score but, not nearly as easy as things were against East in the previous night. In the second half Memorial upped the pressure defense a notch and forced Lafollette into numerous turnovers even before they got the ball past half court. With the Memorial big man hindered with foul trouble it was Memorials little guards Shareef Smith and Julian Walters who had huge second halfs. Smith more then Walters but, they able to penetrate with no fear and finish with a variety of moves over larger defenders. Memorial was up by eight in the third quarter as they game got to a frenzied pace which really favored Memorial but, the defense and patience of Lafollette allowed themselves to claw back into the game. Throughout most of the game Memorial actually hit their free throws but, some missed free throws late allowed Lafollette a shot late they was taken just after the buzzer to tie it up. The shot did go down but, it was clearly after the buzzer.

Top Players
Shareef Smith 5'10 sophomore Memorial- With no one really taking over on the offensive end for Memorial Smith stepped up in the second half and was able to score over and around much bigger defenders. Was also very clutch from the free throw line throughout the entire game.
Jester Weah 6'4 senior Memorial- Just his normal self doing all the dirty work rebounding and running the court.
Nygel Drury 6'5 senior Lafollette- Took advantage of Memorial's foul trouble and score at will on the inside.


Even with Sun Prairie losing Memorial still isn't a lock to make state. Middleton missed a three point shot late that would of allowed them to beat Memorial and then they have Mukwonago awaiting them in the game to go to state.