By Reagan Hoverman

Boys basketball teams throughout Pierce County are competing in some of the most important games of their schedules as the playoff picture begins to form with slightly over a month left before the playoffs begin.

For Ellsworth, as of now, the Panthers are a team trying to climb back in the conference standings for the Middle Border. The Ellsworth boys currently hold a record of 36 overall, including a 2-4 record in conference play, which currently has them tied for fifth with two other teams in Altoona and Somerset.

The fifth-place tie is a step up for this Panthers team. Going into the Tuesday night, Jan. 11 matchup, Ellsworth was 1-4 in conference action. That Tuesday night home game against Somerset was a tight game for all 36 minutes. At the halftime intermission, the Panthers and Spartans were tied 27-27.

In the second half, both teams established some small scoring runs. However, it was the scoring ability of Spencer Schultz and Alex Coulthard that was the difference in the game. For Ellsworth, Schultz led the way in the box score with 21 points, 16 rebounds and a block. As for Coulthard, his 12 points, four rebounds and four assists help put Somerset away in the closing minutes of the game.

The win moved Ellsworth into a tie for fifth place in the conference standings with Somerset and Altoona. The next game for Ellsworth is on Friday, Jan. 21, on the road against Osceola. That game will begin at 7 p.m.

Spring Valley falls to Somerset 80-73 On Friday, Jan. 14, the Spring Valley boys basketball team played a road non-conference game against Somerset of the Middle Border Conference. In that road game matchup, Spring Valley star Connor Ducklow played in only his second full game of the season after missing the first two months of the year with an injury.

While Ducklow’s presence wasn’t enough to change the outcome against Somerset, his return to form has been quick. In the game against the Spartans, he led all scorers with 26 points, while also grabbing five rebounds, dishing three assists, grabbing a steal and making two blocks. It was a complete performance from Ducklow that kept Spring Valley in the game against a tough Middle Border team.

The loss drops Spring Valley to 7-2 overall for the season. The non-conference matchup for the Cardinals was a good experience to get Ducklow more minutes before they resume games against Dunn-St. Croix Conference teams. Spring Valley has a 3-1 record in conferences games this year, trailing only Durand which has a 5-0 record thus far.

This week, Spring Valley plays two must-win conference games if it wants to keep alive any chance of winning a conference championship. On Tuesday, Jan. 18, the boys host Mondovi and on Friday, Jan. 21, Spring Valley travels to Elk Mound. Both games are slated to begin at 7:15 p.m.

Elmwood/Plum City defeats Alma/Pepin 57 45 In a Saturday afternoon, Jan. 15, road game, the Elmwood/ Plum City Wolves traveled to Alma High School to play a non-conference game against the Alma/Pepin Eagles. The 57- 45 victory for the Wolves improved their record for the season to 8-4 overall while maintaining a 3-2 record in Dunn-St. Croix Conference games.

For the Wolves, it was a game of familiarity in terms of offense and defensive play. Senior Luke Webb was once again imposing his will physically, which contributed to his final stat line of 18 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and five blocks. His presence in the post was enough to alter how the Eagles of Alma/Pepin attacked the lane.

In addition to Webb’s scoring ability, the aforementioned six assists included multiple plays where Webb kicked the ball out to a teammate for an open threepointer. Jarrod Pelzel was the best example for the Wolves. He shot 3-4 from behind the arc en route to 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the 12-point victory on the road.

Similar to Spring Valley, Elmwood/Plum City has two important Dunn-St. Croix Conference matchups coming this week. The Tuesday night, Jan. 18, game is on the road against Boyceville and the Friday night, Jan. 21, game is at home against Colfax. Both are slated to begin at 7:15 p.m.