Waunakee and Memorial get big wins.

Had the chance to take in a pair of very good games that could affect the state rankings. It's pretty rare that two big games work out perfect for me to get to both without much difficulty. In Waunakee I saw a top 10 team playing a team that was in my top 10 prior to the season and then a pair of top 10 teams and top Big Eight teams in the night cap in Sun Prairie.

Waunakee 62 Milwaukee Riverside 51
To be honest I was surprised this game was as close as it was.Riverside was with out their D1 recruit in 6'3 senior Carlos Curtis, didn't appear to have much depth, and didn't have much size at all. Riverside only subbed when they ran into foul trouble and had a pair of players play the entire game. Waunakee was without their big man in 6'6 senior Nate Carter but, they are a very solid team full of guys that play football so they could make up for missing one big man.

Early on Riverside took the lead as Waunakee struggled to hit their shots and gave up offensive rebounds to the smaller Riverside team. Riverside was able to penetrate the defense and score with some acrobatic shots. Waunakee was led early on by 6'4 senior Mason Steffen who was able to score in transition until fellow senior 6'5 Mitch Listau got going from the outside hitting three straight threes at one point. In the second half Riverside just wore down and their inability to hit an outside shot allowed Waunakee to really pack the paint and protect the rim.

Madison Memorial 54 Sun Prairie 51
Another game that I really thought that Madison Memorial would lose but, once again they proved me wrong. Yes Memorial doesn't shoot the three and don't penetrate much but, they do move the ball well and move well without the ball which leads to easy buckets around the rim and of course size is always a huge factor in basketball. Sun Prairie really struggled to get their offense going in the first half outside of the occasional fast break.

In the second half Sun Prairie came out trapping and double teaming just like East did the other night and once again Memorial turned the ball over. This gave Sun Prairie every chance to get back in the game and they took advantage behind the outside shooting of 6'1 junior Rajai Williams and the penetrating of 6'4 senior Marlon Ruffin. Memorial did shoot their free throws well late though to seal the game.

Top Players
Mitch Listau 6'5 senior Waunakee- Really shot the three extremely well in this one and carried his team at times. Struggled a bit early but, when he got hot he got hot. He's always going to score because he gets to the line and hits open shots.

Mason Steffen 6'4 senior Waunakee- Really did a nice job of scoring in transition and getting out and running while keeping himself under control. While most of the team looked uncomfortable in the uptempo game he thrived.

Jason Webb Jr 6'0 senior Riverside- Calming influence for the team running the point. Even though Waunakee sat on his left hand he was able to drive right and finish with his off hand.

Cade Ellingson 6'2 junior Memorial- I'm really coming to like this guy, just does all the little things. Doesn't shoot a ton but,two games now has led the team in scoring, always seems to be in the right place.

Rajaio Williams 6'1 junior Sun Prairie- Did a nice job of running the point but, where he really made his impact felt hitting some clutch threes late to bring Sun Prairie back into striking distance.

Marlon Ruffin 6'4 senior Sun Prairie- Superior athlete that can really get to the rim and finish over defenders. Also played some pretty good defense in this game.

Top Scorers
Waunakee- Listau 24 Steffen 22 Josh Cash 8
Riverside- Webb 16 Montrell Jacobs 9 Deandrea Algee 7
Sun Prairie- Ruffin 18 Williams 13 Marty Strey 7
Memorial- Ellingson 14 Nick Caropreso 13 Elliot Grays 11

Some final thoughts of day. Waunakee will have a tremendous record as always but, I really question how they will do in the D1 playoffs. Riverside will only go as far as Carlos Curtis will take them after seeing what I saw today. Sun Prairie will have a tough time against the likes of Memorial and Madison East until Jalen Johnson returns but, when he does they will be the cream of the crop in the Big Eight. Memorial will probably go undefeated for quite a while as they have already defeated the top three teams in the conference and should roll until they play those three again. They have to limit those turnovers though.