Took in a pair of games this past week and would of been three had the weather not been so bad Saturday night. Both games were chances to see a pair of teams that were completely different, having lost players from last years teams but, for different reasons. I also got a chance to see some smaller schools and bigger schools. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the D1 games that I really don't give the smaller schools much attention but, I want to try and get to more smaller school games. I have to say atmospheres are completely different when talking big city schools and smaller rural schools.
Thursday night took in Madison Memorial verse Sun Prairie. Memorial is considered the favorite in the conference and Sun Prairie is making a transition since the transferring of Jalen Johnson and the graduation of Marlon Ruffin. Unfortunately for me Sun Prairie was without their top three returning players juniors 6'0 Colin Schaefer and 6'6 Delaware Hale, who both should have break out years, along with 6'5 senior Cooper Nelson who has a ton of experience from the last two years. With those three missing Madison Memorial completely controlled the game from go and cruised to a 40-14 half time lead. Memorial will once again play a tough switching man to man defense and will dominate the glass on both ends. Those two things mentioned killed Sun Prairie as the couldn't get any good looks at the basket and they were only getting one shot every time down. Memorial was able to play every guy on their team in the first half.
In the second half Sun Prairie really pressed Memorial and pushed the tempo forcing Memorial to turn the ball over time and time again and the game completely switched. Sun Prairie was actually able to cut the lead to nine at one point and Memorial ended up hanging on for the 71-61 win.
Top Players
Brock Voigt 6'5 senior Sun Prairie- Had the game of his life and I don't thin he even saw the court a year ago. Battled in the paint all night and showed the ability to drive to the rim and finished with either hand. Early on I thought he was a lefty but, after he went to the free throw line realized he was a righty.
Rajai Williams 6'0 senior Sun Prairie- Had a terrible first half forcing bad shots and turning the ball over but, in the second half turned that energy into something. Hitting a couple things and was able to turn the turnovers into easy buckets.
Nick Caropreso 6'4 senior Madison Memorial- Just a battler on the inside scoring on second chance buckets and he also hit three three point shots in the game.
Cade Ellingson 6'3 senior Madison Memorial- Ok no way he's 6'3. Was really able to drive to the lane and was able to finish over the Sun Prairie defenders. Not the quickest guy but, he's a heady player that just has a knack for scoring.
Top Scorers
SP 61- B Voigt 26 Williams 15 Dawson Hughes 13
MM 71- Ellingson 20 Caropreso 15 Kyle Yu 11
Friday night was the game that really surprised me. Honestly I was going to see Mineral Point play who is ranked number one in division four. Wisconsin Dells lost a ton from last years Sectional Final team. I half expected Mineral Point to just run away and hide, that wasn't even close to the truth.
Mineral Point really seemed disinterested and lacked energy as they just kind of went through the motions. Patricularily their two stars 6'5 sophomore Brayden Dailey and 6'4 junior Isaac Lindsey. No maybe they just aren't high emotion players or don't let their emotions show but, they really seemed to lack energy. I would like to see Dailey look to score more and demand the ball. Dailey seemed content to stand in the corner and wait for the ball to come to him. Lindsey threw a lot of lazy passes which led to turnovers and just tipped balls that wouldn't allow them to get their offense going. Lindsey also was aggressive enough and seemed ok to just set outside swing the ball and would occasionally hoist a three. Mineral Point seemed like the better team but, they let the Dells hang around. Junior Bryson Funmaker was extremely impressive despite his lack of height of a generous 5'10. Funmaker was able to get anywhere he wanted as he was just quicker then anyone else on the court. Funmaker hit some threes coming off of screens and then off the dribble he was able to get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways or he was able to pull up for the mid range jumper.
As the game came to an end I felt like I was re watching Mineral Points lose in the Sectional Final. Three straight times Mineral Point went to the line with a chance to seal the game up only one. Three straight times they missed the front end and gave the Dells a chance. If you follow high school ball at all you know how this ended. Dells had a chance for a last second shot and inbounded to 6'7 junior Sam Millard who pump faked once and then pulled up for the three that found the bottom of the net for the Dells win. Losing the game was big but, the bigger thing was that Linsdsey turned his ankle pretty badly with about a minute and a half left and wound up leaving the gym on crutches.
Top Players
Brayden Dailey 6'5 sophomore Mineral Point- Boy he had a pretty stroke from the outside and can get his shot off at any time and usually it's going to fall. Just a smooth player all around.
Isaac Lindsey 6'4 junior Mineral Point- Yes he didn't have a great game but, he did have some nice drives to the rim and hit some nice mid range shots.
Bryson Funmaker 5'10 junior Wisconsin Dells- I've pretty much said it all already. He's really taken his game to another level since last season.
Dylan Anchor 6'3 senior Wisconsin Dells- Not the most talented guy but, I really liked his game. Just works hard in the paint and he was able to hit the spot up jumper.
Top Scorers
MP 65- B Dailey 19 Lindsey 17 Liam Stumpf 9
WB 67- Funmaker 22 Anchor 17 Brett Hirst 10
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