Middleton over Stevens Point

Tuesday night went to Middleton to watch two potential state teams match up. This was my first chance to see Stevens Point star 6'8 junior Joey Hauser without his two incredible team mates in brother Sam Hauser and Trev Anderson both starting at D1 college's at this point. Hauser has missed much of the season due to a football injury and Point has very new team as last years state champions were senior dominated. This game also gave me a chance to see Middleton play an elite team outside of the Big Eight where teams know each other so well and know each others strengths and weaknesses.

Middleton came out gunning behind the strong play of 6'5 senior Tyree Eady who hit two big threes right off the bat. Those two threes where a pair of 13 threes that Middleton hit in this game. This game was one of the best I've seen Eady play as his complete game was on display. Eady was hitting the threes which I really hadn't seen this year, was driving to the lane, handled the ball, and most importantly took the job of guarding Hauser. Hauser had a tremendous game but, one thing I didn't like is that his team mates didn't look for him enough in my opinion. Most of Hauser's baskets came in one on one settings and he showed a wide array of game. I'm not sure if Hauser was quick enough or if he likes the short jumper but, Hauser really seemed to like the short pull up jumper that he could take at any time using his height to get his shot off. Hauser also showed a very nice spin move at times, some nice ball handling dribbling the ball behind his back to get to the hoop, and was able to finish through contact. The biggest struggle for Point was the fact Hauser had no help. 6'3 junior Drew Blair picked up two early free throws and was basically a non factor in the first half and no one else could get going. Hauser scorers 18 first half points but, was matched by Eady who also scored 18 points.

Throughout the first half Middleton's other star 5'11 senior Storm Murphy couldn't buy a basket and was missing everything but, in the second half he took off. I believe Murphy had only two points and finished with 19 for the game. Murphy was getting to the paint and scoring and hitting his classic step back threes off the dribble. Hauser continued his game but, got no help once again until the game was too late and when Hauser went to the bench for good Point was down 27 and eventually lost by 30.

Top Players
Joey Hauser junior 6'8 Stevens Point- Like I said already he's a big time scorer and can score in a variety of ways as well as dominate the glass. One thing that really impresses me is the ball handling of Hauser. He ran the point a good amount of time and showing the ball handling with the behind the back dribbles and ability to get in the lane.

Tyree Eady 6'5 senior Middleton- Did it all tonight. Hit the three, drove to the rim, and played the D. His best game of the year that I have seen.

Storm Murphy 5'11 senior Middleton- First half was rough but, he didn't his thing in the second half. Outside of Jordan McCabe he's the most fun player to watch in the state in my opinion and the best ball handler outside of McCabe.

Box Score 
Middleton 96- Eady 26 Murphy 19 CJ Fermanich 12 Ben Jackson 11 Brett Wipfli 5 Chan Bowman 5 Cole Ragsdale 5 Alan Roden 4 Davis Roquet 3 Brogan Brunker 2 Parker Sigmon 2 Myron Ashford Jr 2 Jack Smith 0 Nick Michaels 0 Brian Vergenz 0 Joel Ticknor 0 Francesco Cinti 0 Ryan Lewis 0
Stevens Point 66- Hauser 32 Blair 9 Sam Simmons 6 Brennan Mueller 6 Keon'te Williams 5 Beau Rosenthal 4 Drew Cullen 2 Logan Lewis 2 Andrew Erdman 0 Spencer Tyson 0 Max Hofmeister 0

Well Middleton appears poised to make a big tournament run that could end at state and things seem to be clicking at that right time. Stevens Point will probably make it to sectionals because of the sectional their in but, I just do see them as a state team this year, possible next year though with the strong junior class.