Middleton over Sun Prairie

Sun Prairie is a team that continues to frustrate me. Yes I know that they lost their best player in Nick Noskowiak but, this team has some pretty good players that look really good at times but, they just come out flat most games and just look terrible at times. To be honest I think Sun Prairie is the more talented team but, Sun Prairie played bad in this game and Middleton beat them. Sun Prairie's biggest issue is their ball handling which is to be expected since Noskowiak did the majority of the ball handling. 6'0 junior Sam Kerr has done a very good job but, he's probably playing twice as many minutes as he did earlier in the year and he just looked very tired in last nights game and seemed to expand so much energy against the Middleton press he wasn't much good on the offensive end or playing defense. I really cringe when 6'5 senior JT Ruffin or 6'4 junior Rod Johnson bring the ball up because they don't seem to have great ball handling skills against the press, dribble the ball to high, and don't keep their heads up. 6'1 senior Malik Robinson is the next best option but, he's hand his moments turning the ball over and last night never seemed to get into the game and seemed that coach Boos had lost a little faith in him as Robinson spent much of the fourth quarter on the bench and only game in late to play defense.

Middleton was Middleton shooting a ton of threes, playing very hard, and scrappy, and subbing a ton. Middleton played 12 guys and all 12 played an even amount of minutes and nine of those guys scored. I honestly don't think that Middleton is the greatest team but, when they hit their threes they can beat anyone and they currently are tied in first with Madison Memorial in the conference so who am I to judge.

The first quarter was embarrassing, after the first eight minutes the game was tied 4-4. Not sure when the first bucket was made but, I do know Sun Prairie was up 2-0 with 3:30 left in the first. Both teams were settling for three point shots and those three point shots weren't falling. Both teams got things going a little bit led by Johnson who hit three threes in the second quarter I believe. Middleton hit a couple threes I believe but, it was some poor Sun Prairie defense that gave Middleton buckets as well as turnovers by Sun Prairie leading to easy buckets. Prairie led 23-20 at half.

In the second half Middleton got their outside shooting hitting threes and 5'11 sophomore CJ Fermanich got things going alittle drive to the rim. For Sun Prairie their best offense ended up being Ruffin just going one on one to the left and scoring. Ruffin is usually more athletic then the guy guarding him and when he goes to the left not many big guys can stop him. Johnson continued to hit the outside shots but, the turnovers continued to haunt them as they could never get within four points. Kerr hit an end one three point shot and hit the free throw and it seemed to be the turning point but, Middleton hit their free throws and Sun Prairie couldn't cut the lead.

Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- He really is a huge spark off the bench offensively. When things are struggling Johnson comes in to hit some threes. Best outside shooter on the game.

JT Ruffin 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- At times may be a little selfish but, he's tough for the opposing big man to stop. Shows the ability to step out and hit the three at times as well and need him to control the glass.

CJ Fermanich 5'11 sophomore Middleton- One of the few Middleton players that was able to drive the ball and score around the rim. Had a huge put back late in the game and believe he was the espn player of the game.

Storm Murphy 5'9 sophomore Middleton- Another guy that did look to drive to the rim as well which led to trips to the free throw line as well. Hit a huge three late in this game as well.

Box Score
SP- Ruffin 16 Johnson 16 Kerr 9 Darian Black 6 Ben Hauser 5 Malik Robinson 0 Nate Oehrlein 0 DJ Jones 0 Nate Verstegen 0
Midd- Fermanich 13 Murphy 10 Ian Hokanson 9 Cody Markel 9 Tyree Eady 6 Andrew Gardner 4 Tyler Ballweg 3 Brett Joers 2 Cam Maly 2 Jordan Smith 0 Brady Thomas 0 Mitch Bacon 0

Middleton may be in first place of the conference right now but, I just don't see them beating Memorial or going any further then Memorial in the playoffs. Unfortunately this Sun Prairie team will be just another so so Sun Prairie team after have state hopes before the start of the season.