Wisconsin Dells over Baraboo

Had to get my basketball fix tonight. This wasn't the greatest game but, it was my alma mater playing four blocks away from my house. Dells was sitting at 3-0 and were picked to win the South Central conference while Baraboo was 0-2 and picked to take last in the Badger North. Despite the predictions I wanted to see a game and figured with Baraboo being a bigger school that they would keep it close and I had seen them last year and knew they had a couple decent players.

From the tip you could see that the Dells had an advantage in height and talent and thought it might be a blow out but, Baraboo fought throughout the game and Dells didn't sub a whole lot which led to some tired legs as the game progressed. Dells starts 6'8 6'5 6'4 6'3 and 5'8 while Baraboo started no one taller then 6'3. Dells played a 1-2-2 zone press and then fell back into a 3-2 in the half court. Baraboo really didn't seem to know how to attack the zone very on and settled for threes and contested mid range jumpers. On the other side the Dells really tried to push the tempo which isn't normal for a Dells team not to mention there height and the lack of bench play. Dells pushed the tempo though to get quick feeds to the post and worked from there. Dells really tried to feed their big men 6'8 senior Tanner Brandt and 6'5 senior Jack Sveum. Brandt was the guy I was looking to watch and he didn't have the greatest night as he forced things a bit and his shot just wasn't falling. Brandt does more extremely well for a big guy, has good body control, and can handle the ball a little bit.

Dells took the lead early on dominating the glass and getting easy buckets and looked as if they were going to blow Baraboo out but, Baraboo finally got the offense going by feeding their star 6'3 senior Mason Peterson who is there point guard and top player. Peterson got the ball out of his hands and moved without the ball and his team mates found him in the middle of the zone and late in the first half he score three straight buckets catching it at the free throw line and then just driving the lane. Baraboo got a little help from 6'0 senior Justus Neuman who hit a pair of threes to keep the game close. Dells had a six point lead at the half.

In the second half Dells just couldn't put Baraboo away and a pair of threes from Neuman and Peterson gave Baraboo the lead before Brandt and company settled down and worked the ball into the inside. Dells seemed to like shooting the threes and the threes weren't falling and I feel like that was part of what kept Baraboo in the game. Late in the game Dells missed there free throws and Baraboo had their chances but, some wild shots just wouldn't fall for them. In the end Wisconsin Dells won 61-55.

Top Players
Jackson Sveum 6'5 senior Wisconsin Dells- Most improved player for the Dells . Has a nice back to the basket game going and did a nice job of shot faking and getting the foul and basket. Battled on the glass all game long and could hit the spot up three.

Brett Hirst 6'3 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Really does all the little things. Plays good D, helps run the point at times, can score driving, or hit the three. Tonight did a nice job of scoring in transition and just flat out hustling and making little plays.

Bryson Funmaker 5'8 sophomore Wisconsin Dells- Maybe I'm just partial to the little guy but, I liked his game. I like how he pushes the tempo and is a willing passer. May try to be to fancy at times but, he'll get better with that. I believe he took four charges in the game, had a couple steals and numerous long rebounds.

Mason Peterson 6'3 senior Baraboo- Was the best player on the court tonight. When he got to the middle of the Dells zone he was going to score. Had 26 points and I thought he could of been more aggressive. Hit a pair of big threes from the corner late.

Justice Neuman 6'0 senior Baraboo- Doesn't look like a basketball player one bit, but shot the lights out tonight. Hit four big threes and kept his team around.

Box Score (starters in italics)
Dells 61- Sveum 15 Brandt 13 Hirst 12 Riley Eck 5 Dyland Musiedlak 5 Alex Weiss 4 John Pikula 4 Funmaker 3 Darius Mackinnis 0
Baraboo 55- M. Peterson 26 Neuman 13 Connor Grogan 10 Caden Blum 4 Ryan Gehin 2 Calvin Peterson 0 Joe Stout 0 Caden Carpenter 0 Joe White Eagle 0

To be honest I don't think that Wisconsin Dells is that good but, looking at their schedule they should have a pretty good record that will be alittle over inflated. Baraboo on the other side is in for a long season but, Peterson may win them some games on his own.