Sun Prairie over Middleton

Tonight took in a battle of two teams in the top half of the Big Eight Conference. My preseason pick Middleton who had been struggling a bit of recent and surprise team Sun Prairie and #1 ranked freshmen in the state 6'6 Jalen Johnson. This game may of been the best game I've seen this year as both teams played pretty well and was a relatively clean game over all that didn't have those ugly possessions.

This game start out as to be expected with 5'11 senior Storm Murphy and company taking control and Middleton jumping out to the early lead. After the initial run though Sun Prairie was able to climb back into it. Murphy had two quick baskets to start the game but, overall Murphy struggled tonight. His outside shot wasn't falling as I think that he went 0 for whatever from three point range and he turned the ball over a handful of times trying to make the fancy pass or the tough pass. Thankfully for Middleton 6'5 senior Tyree Eady had the best game I've seen him play. Eady battled on the glass getting second chance points and did a nice job of slashing to the basket and finishing some very tough shots. For Sun Prairie it was really a balanced attack as everyone was chipping in and there star 6'4 junior Marlon Ruffin really wasn't taking over. Johnson didn't have the greatest first half as he turned the ball over a bit to much for my liking.

In the second half Johnson got things going a bit hitting a huge step back three and doing his fair share of slashing to the rim and finishing in a variety of ways. Ruffin also got things going a bit driving to the rim hard and he had a monster two handed dunk to tie the game midway through the second half going through a defender. Sun Prairie hit some big threes in the second half one from 5'9 freshmen Colin Schaefer and one from 6'3 junior Marty Strey. 6'2 junior Caden White did a lot of damage on the inside working for loose balls and second chance buckets. Everyone seemed to have a highlight in this one showing how it was a team effort while Middleton really relied on Eady to carry them tonight. I thought Middleton may of sealed this game up with Eady picked Johnson off the dribble and finished with a powerful two handed dunk. Sun Prairie kept fighting back though and in the end Middleton's lack of outside shooting did them in and they rushed things late when they had their chance to tie the game up.

Top Players
Tyree Eady 6'5 senior Middleton- Really battled tonight and played extremely hard. Did a tremendous job rebounding offensively and defensively. Also really finished well at the rim on some very tough shots.

Ben Jackson 6'5 senior Middleton- A tremendous three point shooter, when he can get his feet set he's going to make the shot. Also got out and scored in transition as well as getting offensive rebounds leading to easy buckets.

Marlon Ruffin 6'4 junior Sun Prairie- Always going to be the teams leading scorer. Really attacked the rim hard where he was able to score.

Jalen Johnson 6'6 freshmen Sun Prairie- Did a nice job of rebounding on the offensive side and throwing the outlet pass leading to easy buckets. Another guy that really attacks the rim and with his size he's able to finish over smaller defenders.

Box Score 
MD 69- Eady 24 Jackson 14 Murphy 9 Davis Roquet 6 CJ Fermanich 5 Jack Smith 4 Myron Ashford 3 Brogan Brunker 3 Alan Roden 1 Cole Ragsdale 0 Parker Sigmon 0
SP 71- Ruffin 16 Johnson 16 Strey 12 White 9 Nate Verstegen 7 Schaefer 7 Sean Suchomel 4 Mitch Schroeder 0 Cooper Nelson 0

I felt that Sun Prairie lacked scoring the first time I saw them but, with the addition of Johnson I really like the future for them and they seem to be moving upward and next year will be an exciting year for them. Middleton puzzles me because they really should be one of the top teams in the conference but, with Murphy struggling their offense seems to struggle at times.