Sun Prairie sneaks past Madison Memorial

Madison Memorial has won 11 straight conference titles and this year seems to finally be the end for their streak. After losing last night they fall to 0-3 in conference and Sun Prairie seems to be the cream of the crop at 3-0. The past five to eight years this has been one of the best rivalries in the state. Sun Prairie has had some great teams in the past but, just hasn't seemed to be able to get over the Memorial hump even when games have seemed to be in hand. Last year it seemed Sun Prairie had a game one and some late game heroics by 5'10 junior Shareef Smith gave Memorial a huge win. Smith is back but, this is not the Memorial of old and might be the weakest team they have had in 15 years.

Madison Memorial came out in a box and one zone defense on Sun Prairie star 6'3 senior Nick Noskowiak which completely took Noskowiak out of his game. Memorial switched off 6'0 senior Koko Songolo and 6'1 junior Jason Weah face guarding Noskowiak while the rest of the team played a zone defense. Noskowiak forced bad shots because he was frustrated and this led to Sun Prairie struggling over all and not able to really get things going. On the other side Memorial came out with all the energy in the world and they were dominating the glass on both ends getting second and third shots. Memorial came out like they were the favorite in this game and real set Prairie back on their heels right off the tip. Memorial was finding big man 6'5 senior Brett Tauber at the free throw line and playing off him, with 6'3 senior Henry Houden and 6'4 sophomore Jake Ferguson cutting to the hoop or Smith or Songolo taking the outside shots. Memorial also force some Sun Prairie turnovers which allowed Houden and Ferguson to get out in transition. Memorial cooled off a bit late in the first half and Sun Prairie continued to sleep walk not playing with a lot of energy. Memorial led at half 25-23.

Midway through the third quarter Sun Prairie finally got things going and it was their bench that came up big to lead them to take the lead. A pair of juniors 5'11 Sam Kerr and 6'4 Rod Johnson were probably co-players of the game. Kerr has such a smooth shot it surprises you when it doesn't go in and Johnson score all eight of his points in a very short stretch. Johnson had a pair of big threes and two big steals leading to wide open layups. Late in the fourth it seemed Sun Prairie had put things away with back to back baskets by 6'5 senior JT Ruffin when the Memorial factor struck. Back to back missed free throws and a Smith three pointer, following by a Smith layup set up some possible Memorial magic for Smith. With Sun Prairie clinging to a one point lead Ruffin drove to the hoop and appeared to get fouled and threw up a wild shot while falling which was blocked. Houden collected the ball for Memorial and drove the length of the court putting in the layup as he collided with Noskowiak. For a second it appeared Memorial won but, the bucket was waived off as the offensive foul was called. It was a questionable call because I didn't feel Noskowiak was set but, Houden did extended his arm to push Noskowiak. Either way a foul should of been called when Ruffin was knocked down so I guess I'm ok with the final call. Sun Prairie snuck out the 52-51 win.

Top Players 
Sam Kerr 5'11 junior Sun Prairie- Just looks like a ball player. I think once Noskowiak is gone next year he should really break out. Handles the ball extremely and your surprised when he doesn't make the outside shots. Very smooth player.

Rod Johnson 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Seems to be adjusting to his growth spurt but, has a very nice shot. Long arms that allow him to get steal and also finish at the rim on the offensive end.

Brett Tauber 6'5 senior Madison Memorial- Did a nice job of finding his open team mates from the high post and really crashed the glass on the both ends.

Henry Houden 6'3 senior Madison Memorial- Really the clue guy that holds this team together. Rebounds really well and slashes to the rim very hard. Also helps with the ball handling duties.

Jake Ferguson 6'4 sophomore Madison Memorial- Ran the court really well and moved well without the ball. Also is a very good shooter.

Box Score
Sun Prairie 52- Kerr 14 Ruffin 11 Noskowiak 10 Johnson 8 Malik Robinson 2 Nate Verstegen 2 Deshawn Black 0
Madison Memorial 51- Ferguson 14 Houden 12 Smith 10 Tauber 7 Songolo 6 Travis Lindquist 2 Billy Wilson 0 Jason Weah 0 Matt Caropreso 0

Sun Prairie still continues to be the top team in the conference but, playing the way they played tonight there is no way they will be undefeated. Madison Memorial will more then likely bounce back and finish in the top half of the conference and could possibly even challenge Sun Prairie late in the year.