Lodi captures Capitol Conference

Went to Lodi last night to take in a huge Capitol Conference game between Lodi and Lake Mills. If Lake Mills had won the game it would of been a three way tie for first in the conference and a Lodi win would mean they would capture the conference title outright. I have seen Lake Mills play a bit in the last three years including once this year and I hadn't seen Lodi play in a few years so didn't know what to expect.

I have to say I came away fairly impressed with this Lodi team. They had good length and had a lot of depth in this team as they had 10 different players see the court and really didn't lose much at all. One thing I found very interesting is that Lodi went five in with their very first sub in the game and then gradually worked their starters back in. Second half they weren't the same but, still played four guys off the bench heavy minutes. Lake Mills is a team that I really enjoy watching play. They remind me a lot of the old Roncalli teams that made some state runs. Lake Mills is very undersized basically playing five guards at all the times, they shoot a lot of threes, push the tempo, and have a couple guys that are not afraid to mix it up underneath despite giving up a ton of size. Both Ben Dunkleberger and Hayden Iverson are 6'0 seniors that look like they spend some time in the weight room and play very physical and are forced to guard post players.

Early on it was obvious that Lodi was pumped up. They were taking a lot of quick shots but, they were knocking them down. Seemed every shot they took was going to fall. Despite their size advantage thought they really didn't look to the inside and their big man 6'5 senior Jackson Kolinski. This was my first time seeing Kolinski but, he seemed to prefer staying outside and shooting the three then banging on the inside. Eventually the outside shooting cooled for Lodi and then Lake Mills outside shooting took over after some initial struggles. Everyone for Lake Mills can hit threes but, it was 6'0 sophomore Matt Johnson led the way early on hitting a pair of threes early. Lake Mills also got some huge play from their bench in 5'11 sophomore Mike Herrington and 6'2 freshmen Charlie Bender. Both guys were instant offense when they came in the game and they weren't afraid to drive the lane and score and didn't settle for the threes. Both Herrington and Bender were in the game to make the stretch runs. At the half Lake Mills was up 31-30.

In the second half Lake Mills went a little cool from the outside and Lodi finally started to look inside and to drive the lane as well. They looked inside to Kolinski a bit in the paint but, it was really 6'3 senior Carter Breunig off the bench that was huge in the paint. Breunig had a pair of and one baskets and I believe had all nine of his points in the second half. In the end Lake Mills streaking shooting and lack of depth did them in and Lodi got the 69-61 win.

Top Players 
Jackson Kolinski 6'5 senior Lodi- Big man that moves really well and can really shoot the three. Just a real smooth player to watch play.

Canyon Bacon 6'1 senior Lodi- Used his quickness to get to the rim and score. Was really able to finish at the rim in a variety of ways.

Casey Breunig 6'3 senior Lodi- Consistent the entire game hitting the outside shot.

Carter Breunig 6'3 senior Lodi- Like I said earlier came off the bench and really solidified the post presence for Lodi. Was the big energy player in the second half.

Matt Johnson 6'0 sophomore Lake Mills- Sharpshooter in the first half that helped Lake Mills get back into the game and take the lead at halftime.

Mike Herrington 5'11 sophomore Lake Mills- Huge scorer off the bench. Showed the ability to hit the three and the ability to drive the lane and finish.

Hayden Iverson 6'0 senior Lake Mills- Love watching him battle in the post and he's really the glue that holds this team together. When he can set his feet he's going to hit the three.

Box Score
Lodi 69- Kolinski 16 Bacon 12 Cas Breunig 12 Jack Persike 9 Car Breunig 9 Dominic Scola 4 Riley Faust 3 Jackson Furniss 3 Cole Steinhoff 1 Will Richards 0
Lake Mills 61- Johnson 12 Herrington 12 JT Toepfer 9 Iverson 9 Adam Moen 8 Dunlberger 5 Bender 4

I think Lake Mills can beat anyone in D3 because of their outside shooting but, their just going to have a hard time doing it because of their lack of size. Lodi on the other side is not my favorite by any means but, with their size and depth I wouldn't be surprised to see them at least make a sectional run. Once your in sectionals anything can happen.