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On Thursday, Feb. 17, the Prescott boys basketball team traveled to and defeated Middle Border Conference rival Saint Croix Central. The defense- led victory against the Panthers completed the season sweep against one of the best teams in the Middle Border and a roster that at one point was ranked as high as fifth in the state for Division 3 basketball.

The 55-48 win over the Panthers improved Prescott’s overall record to 19-2 for the season, including a 12-1 record in conference games, which has guaranteed Prescott – at the bare minimum – a share of the Middle Border Conference title for the season. A win on Thursday, Feb. 24, would secure sole possession of the conference crown for the 2021-22 campaign.

The first half of the game between Prescott and Saint Croix Central felt like a heavyweight fight with both metaphorical boxers throwing haymakers. The two conference rivals had a lot to play for. For the Cardinals, it was a chance to take control of the conference and guarantee a share of the conference title with a win. For the Panthers, it was a chance at revenge after being run off of the court during a 67-96 loss in Prescott on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Six minutes into the game, the score was knotted 8-8 and both teams had been efficient from the floor. Prescott junior Jordan Malmlov got the scor-

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ing going for the Cardinals with a runner and a mid-range jumper. For Saint Croix Central, senior guard Colin Hackbarth buried a deep three-pointer in the opening minutes.

Both Prescott and Saint Croix Central went into the game averaging well over 65 points per game, some of the highest averages in western Wisconsin. While the opening minutes of the game saw fruitful offense for both teams, the game eventually turned into a defensive grudge match.

With five minutes left in the first half, Prescott only had 18 points and had been clamped by the Panthers’ defense throughout most of the first half. The good news for Prescott was that their defense was also making points come at a premium for the Saint Croix Central offense.

Prescott’s offense is prolific, to say the least, and it was only a matter of time before the Cardinals made a run. Their first significant scoring run began with just over four minutes to play in the first half.

An offensive rebound and putback by Malmlov, followed by a three-pointer by sophomore Dallas Wallin turned a seven-point deficit into only a two-point hole. That’s when Prescott senior guard Justin Syverson stole the ball and made a transition layup to tie the game 25-25 moments before halftime. Prescott head coach Nick Johnson spoke about the first half and how it became a defensive battle.

“It became a defensive battle,” Johnson said. “(Saint Croix Central) played extremely well defensively. At home, we shot the lights out and we knew we couldn’t do that every game. We didn’t shoot well tonight and we relied on our defense.”

While both Prescott and Saint Croix Central struggled to shoot from the floor on Thursday night, the Cardinals got two threepointers to fall in the opening minutes of the second half which turned the tide of the game.

On the first possession of the second half, Malmlov made a deep three-pointer to give Prescott its first lead since the 13-minute mark of the first half. After a stop on the defensive end, Wallin came down and hit another three to extend Prescott’s lead to six. While Saint Croix Central made multiple small runs throughout the second half, the Cardinals’ ability to finish the first half on an 8-0 run and then start the second half on a 6-0 run was the difference in the ball game.

When the final buzzer sounded, Prescott had a 55-48 victory and its second of the season over the Panthers of Saint Croix Central. Coach Johnson reflected on the game and where his team is at with less than a week to go before the playoffs begin.

“Our defense was great, to hold them to basically 20 points in the second half, our defense won that game,” Johnson said. “They were at 25 points for what felt like 10 minutes. We just weathered the storm until we got buckets. We tied it going into the half and then hit two quick threes to start the second half and that set the tone.”

The victory on the road in a hostile crowd environment was one of the best – if not the best – wins of the season. In the past, Johnson expressed concern regarding the Cardinals’ defense and on Thursday night, the defense was the strength of an offensively dominant team. He spoke about where his roster’s defense is right now.

“We talked a couple of weeks ago where we were struggling and our heads were spinning,” Johnson said. “We’re becoming a complete team at the right time. We knew it was coming, it was just a matter of time.”

Prescott's #1 Seed, Division 3

The goal for every coach is to have their team hitting its stride right when tournament time begins. For Prescott, all indications are that they’re playing their best basketball of the season. On Sunday, Feb. 20, the WIAA announced seeding for the 2021-22 playoffs. Coach Johnson spoke about wanting the #1 seed for his team.

“We’re hoping for the one seed and feel we’re rather deserving of the one (seed),” Johnson said. “With our body of work at 19-2 and then 12-1 in a very good (Middle Border) league this year, it’s been very strong, if it doesn’t happen, we will be very disappointed.

On Sunday afternoon at approximately 2 p.m., the bracket information got released and Prescott was given the #1 seed for its respective portion of the bracket. The top seed comes with a firstround bye. So, Prescott’s first playoff game will be against the winner of Ellsworth (#9) or Osceola (#8). In games against those two teams this year, Prescott is 4-0. That game will be on Friday, March 4, and is slated to get underway at 7 p.m.

Prescott sophomore Dallas Wallin makes a driving layup during the Cardinals’ road game victory against Saint Croix Central on Thursday, Feb. 17. ________________________