Middleton over Sun Prairie

Tonight took in the top two teams record wise in the Big Eight conference. I had seen Sun Prairie once before and this was my first time seeing Middleton play but, have seen them a lot in the past so I knew what to expect and didn't disappoint. Middleton subbed constantly throughout the game, shot a lot of threes, and played extremely hard.

Middleton came out and blitzed Sun Prairie with a full court press and Sun Prairie simply couldn't handle it. This really exposed the fact that Sun Prairie doesn't have a great ball handler outside of their point guard 6'1 senior Sam Kerr. The pressure forced the ball out of Kerr's hands and resulted in turnover after turnover. The turnovers combined with 6'5 senior Rod Johnson inability to score and Kerr suffering from a hip injury and foul trouble, led to a near 20 point lead midway through the first half. With Kerr on the bench Johnson had to run the point which seemed to settle things down and Sun Prairie was able to crawl back into the game behind some scrappy play. At half Middleton was up 35 to 27.

For Middleton it was the three headed junior monster all night. Early on it was 6'0 CJ Fermanich scoring in transition and knocking down the open jumpers. Then later in the game it was 6'4 Tyree Eady hitting the threes and sealing the game from the free throw line. Throughout the entire game the strong guard play of 5'11 Storm Murphy controlled the game throughout beating his defenders off the dribble and finding open team mates or provided the defensive pressure on the ball handler on the defensive end.

Sun Prairie battled throughout and were able to get the game down to five points at one time but, Eady and company were always there to push the lead to 10. Johnson couldn't miss from three late in the game and was hitting free throws but, it just seemed like anyone else wanted to take a shot. In the end Sun Prairie's lack of ball handlers did them in and Middleton was able to throw too many players at them. Middleton won 69 to 61.

Top Players
Rod Johnson 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Johnson did a nice job of running the point when there just wasn't anyone else to do it. Johnson also was hitting the three in the second half which got Sun Prairie back in the game. He was also money from the free throw line all game long as well as being the teams emotional leader all game. I can see him playing at the next level when he posts up a defender and knocks down the fade away, hitting the step back three, or just the deep three, three feet behind the line.

Storm Murphy 5'11 junior Middleton- Didn't have the scoring numbers of the other two big time players but, Murphy was probably my MVP. Murphy completely controlled this game both on offense and defense with his quickness and I don't think anyone could stay in front of him. He also hand his hands on numerous passes on the defense end. Despite his lack of size I really like this kid.

CJ Fermanich 6'0 junior Middleton- Really a heady player that finished around the hoop very well and knocked down the outside shot. Always does a lot but, never seems like he's working hard but, always seems to be in the right spot at the right time.

Tyree Eady 6'4 junior Middleton- Probably the best overall athlete on the team. Does a little bit of everything from shooting the three, to rebounding, and can also handle the ball. Eady was huge in this one hitting two late threes and going 8 of 10 from the free throw line.

Box Score 
Sun Prairie 61- Johnson 23 Nate Verstegen 10 Kerr 8 Marlon Ruffin 8 Deshawn Black 6 Ben Hauser 3 Sean Suchomel 3 DJ Jones 0 Taylor Jansen 0 Marty Schroeder 0
Middleton 69- Eady 20 Fermanich 19 Murphy 11 Brogan Brunker 5 Mitch Bacon 3 Kevin Ripp 3 Daydrian Spears 3 Cody Markel 3 Jack Smith 2 Travis Raffel 0 Brady Thomas 0 Myron Ashford Jr 0

Middleton really looks like a conference contender and having seen East and Memorial as well I don't see anyone beating Middleton unless the go completely cold. Sun Prairie on the other hand will need to find some ball handling to help Kerr out otherwise you will just be able to press them all game long.