Madison Memorial over Sun Prairie

Saturday night took in the regional final game between Madison Memorial and Sun Prairie. This game was another interesting game because Sun Prairie 6'3 senior Nick Noskowiak was back playing and when he was playing Sun Prairie was able to defeat Memorial. Also the last time I saw Memorial they were playing some of the best basketball I had seen them play all year long.

With Sun Prairie's starting point guard Sam Kerr out with an injury I thought we might see Noskowiak starting but, it was 6'4 junior Rod Johnson that got the start and Johnson made the most of the start. Johnson showed a nice ability to drive the lane and score and use his length early on. When Noskowiak did get his chance to come in he was able to come up with some big shots and knock them down. This game was really a struggling early on for Memorial as the only guy that could get anything going was their top guy 5'10 senior Shareef Smith who is playing some of the best basketball I've seen any body play. Smith scored all seven of Memorial's first quarter points and first three in the second before having to sit with two fouls. Smith joined, 6'3 senior Henry Houden, and 6'0 senior Koko Songolo on the bench for about half the second quarter and Memorial went stagnate as their top three scorers were sitting on the bench. At half time the score was only 18-13 with Sun Prairie on top.

In the second half Memorial picked things up a little bit getting the uptempo game going but, Sun Prairie kept it going themselves and Memorial never could over take Sun Prairie. Late in the fourth Sun Prairie was up by three I believe and had a chance to seal the game when Noskowiak missed a free throw giving Memorial a chance which they capitalized and scored. Then Johnson went to the line to make it at least a two point game but, Johnson couldn't come through and Memorial was able to go down and score and take the lead with under a minute to go and with free throws Memorial won by two. Noskowiak had some costly ball handling mistakes late which can be led to him being a little rusty.

Top Players
Shareef Smith 5'10 senior Memorial- Just lightning quick with the ball in his hands and no one was able to stay in front of him. Smith was also able to knock down the outside shot as well.

Nick Noskowiak 6'3 senior Sun Prairie- Was the one consistent scorer in this game knocking down the three and driving to the rim and scoring.

Rod Johnson 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Used his length to score over and around defenders and was able to hit the outside shot.

Box Score
MM- Smith 18 Houden 7 Songolo 6 Brett Tauber 3 Billy Wilson 3 Matt Caropreso 2 Joe Ferguson 1 Jason Weah 1 Travis Lindquist 0
SP- Noskowiak 15 Johnson 11 Nate Oehrlein 5 Deshawn Black 4 Ben Hauser 2 JT Ruffin 2 Malik Robinson 0 Nate Vergstegen 0

Well season came to an end for Sun Prairie and Madison Memorial will meet Kenosha Indian Trail on Thursday where they will again be the favorite. State seems like a given for Memorial but, only time will tell.