Madison Memorial defeated Lafollette

Last Saturday night, I checked out the Madison Memorial verse Madison La Follette game. This game really meant nothing as Memorial had already clinched the conference and the seeding had already been done for the playoffs. La Follette could move up in the rankings but, they weren't going to win conference. I knew that Memorial was going to push the tempo and look to run every chance they got and La Follette was a team that would run right with them even though it played into Memorial's hands.

This game was exactly what I expected Memorial ran and La Follette ran right with them and La Follette kept the game close but, in the end Memorial pulled it out. Memorial maybe shot two or three, three point shots while La Follette continued to jack up a ton of three just as they have in every game I was seen them and the threes really weren't falling until late in the game when they had a mini run.

Memorial looks so much better then they looked earlier in the year. There weren't nearly as many bad shots put up and the guards 5'11 senior Reggie Roemer and 5'10 junior Shareef Smith were driving and dishing to open team mates, fellow senior big men 6'4 Tyler Lindquist and 6'7 Darral Willis. Lindquist had a huge game because he just never stops moving without the ball in his hands and his team mates are going to find him. Willis was getting the easy look in the paint as well as getting the ball at the free throw line and getting to the rim. With the way they run they are going to turn the ball over but, they really are at their best when their running.

Every time I see La Follette play they seem to have fewer players suited up and in this game they only had nine players able to play. The running really took a toll on La Follette big man 6'9 senior Keahn Dunn who only played in short burst and didn't even score in the game and looked lost at times against Memorial's box and one defense. The Memorial defense really seem to confuse La Follette as no one really penetrated the defense and time and again they settled for the three point shot. Their leader 6'1 junior Darol Thomas plays hard and I love the attitude and leadership he shows but, at times doesn't seem like he trusts his team mates and try to do too much on his own. Thomas is a very good player but, needs to play within the offense a little more and back off the deep threes at times. Despite lacking size outside of Dunn, La Follete always really battles on the glass particularly 6'4 senior Maurice Ewing and 6'3 junior Cortez McCree. Both players can really jump and attack the glass with no fear. La Follette had a run late in the game but, in the end the lack of their outside shooting did them in.

Top Players
Tyler Lindquist 6'4 senior Memorial- As I said early he's always moving without the ball and finding openings in the defense. Ultimate competitor and rebounds really well.

Darral Willis 6'7 senior Memorial- Seems longer then 6'7. Nearly impossible for other big men to contain because of his quickness. Did benefit from some strong guard play.

Maurice Ewing 6'4 senior La Follette- Spent much of his night battling the taller Willis but, did a good job rebounding. Used his quickness to score as well around the rim.

Quinten Shere 5'11 junior La Follette- Came off the bench and really provided some good outside shooting. I believe he hit three, three point shots in the game.

Box Score 
Memorial 73- Lindquist 28 Willis 18 Henry Houden 6 Brett Tauber 5 Smith 4 Roemer 4 Koko Songolo 3 Jake Ferguson 3 Daurice Fountain 2 Jason Weah 0 Bryce Danielson 0 Matt Caropreso 0 Billy Wilson 0
La Follette 58- Ewing 18 Shere 14 Thomas 12 McCree 10 Jordan Carlson 5 Kian O'Brien 0 Dunn 0 Joseph Phillips 0 Larry Haynes 0

Really seems that Memorial has hit their stride and at about the right time with playoffs just around the corner. With the way their playing and the lack of strength in the Sectional I will not be one bit surprised to see them back at the Kohl Center in the final four. La Follette ended up finishing ninth in the conference but, would not be one bit surprised to see them beat someone in the playoffs and I have actually picked them to defeat Middleton in their first round game. Should be a good one so will see what happens.