Madison East over Memorial

Went to Madison East last night and I would contest that East might be one of the most entertaining places to watch a game. The gym is relatively small and feels like the fans are right on top of the court add in to the fact that 2/3 of the seating is behind the hoops and that's where the students sit. The gym always seems very loud and I've always seen it as a very tough place to play or get a win. Last night was no different as East took down number six ranked Madison Memorial.

From the get go East just seemed like the quicker and more aggressive team. Early on East point guard 5'10 senior Damontae Thompson hit a pair of early deep jumpers to get things going and East really never looked back. Everytime Memorial would make a run and they did take a lead mid way through the first half East was there to push them back. Memorial just wasn't quick enough to drive past the East and ever shot was contended and just never seemed like they had an open look. East did a great job of keeping Memorial off the offensive glass which they typically thrive on the offensive glass getting second chances. East is a team that has the size to battle Memorial where typically there just bigger then the other team.

I wish I had more to say but, I really don't. The story of the game was East's defense which forced Memorial into turnovers and bad deep shots which allowed East to get out and run. There was a lot of intensity in the game and a bit of pushing and chest pumping but, after half time the game was never in doubt.

Top Players 
Cade Ellingson 6'3 senior Madison Memorial- In the two games that I've seen he's really started to separate himself as the leader of this team. When he's on the bench their offense just falls apart. Really the calming force on the team and the one guy that you can count on being able to drive the lane and score.
Justin Jackson 6'4 junior Madison Memorial- Really didn't score much but, when he was in the game their offense just seemed to click. Had some huge assists when he'd drive to the hoop and find open team mates.
Damontae Thompson 5'10 senior Madison East- Looking a lot like his brother from last year uses his quickness to get his shot at any time or driving to the hoop. Appears to of really improved his ball handling since last year and his shot off the bounce is tough.
Anthony Washington 6'3 junior Madison East- Scored 18 points in the game but, it was really a quiet 18. Appears to be a little more offensive focused and not so much on the rebounding. Just a nice lanky player.
Jadyn Walsvick 5'11 junior Madison East- I really like this kid off the bench. Handles the ball extremely well and finds his team mates cutting to the rim. Has a very pretty shot and when he was given space you were expecting it to go in.

Box Score
MM 49- Ellingson 16 Kwam Lewis 7 Ian Brown 6 Nick Caropreso 5 Jackson 5 Dryden Schaefer 3 Daemiontae Bates 3 JR Mitchell 3 Kyle Yu 1 Adam Bergman 0 Logan Younk 0 Drew Collins 0 Kole Kerkhoff 0
ME 66- Washington 18 Thompson 13 Jevan Boyton 12 Walsvick 10 Keontae Jones 8 David McKinley 2 Moses Fadele 2 Marcus Justice 1 Ben Davis 0 Michael McIntosh 0 Jack Tupta 0 Will Devin 0

Was a fun night at Eastside as it always is. I honestly could see Madison East winning the conference this year but, as always its tough to count Memorial out. If I was betting on it my money would be on East though and should be a good race between East, Memorial, Lafollette and probably even Sun Prairie if and when they get back to full health.