by Jack McLoone

The Plum City/Elmwood (PCE) (8-12) boys basketball team hosted Cochrane-Fountain City (CFC) (5-15) on Tuesday night after the printing of this publication.

The Pirates are led by junior forward Ethan Hunger, who averages a team-high 12 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game.

The Wolves will look to play their game inside and limit CFC’s speed around the court.

“Matching up CFC, I think we may have a size advantage,” Coach Kyle Webb said. “However, Coach Cyrus has a group of quick and athletic ball players, so we will need to respect that, play on our toes and be smart.”

The winner travels to Blair-Taylor (20-1) this Friday to play the undefeated champion of the Dairyland – Large Conference.

The Wolves are carrying some momentum into their first Regional matchup after putting the brakes on a four-game losing streak with two wins to end last week. After falling to Durand on the road, the Wolves blew out Glenwood City on Thursday before getting revenge on Durand with a win at home.

Senior Tyler Bauer and junior Luke Webb combined evenly to lead the team with a combined 45 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Junior Dayne Whipple finished the night with eight points, four rebounds and six steals, while senior Austin Bartz contributed ten points, five rebounds and assists, a steal and a pair of blocks. Senior Zack Hartung recorded eight points and fellow classmate Elijah Gansluckner added three assists and a pair of steals in the 78-49 win.

The Wolves showed up ready for business in Saturday’s rematch with Durand.

Webb was an unstoppable force in the paint and finished the matchup with 28 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots, shooting 63% from the floor.

Senior Basil Gilles added 12 points, seven rebounds, a trio of assists and a pair of steals.

The Wolves are ready to win a playoff game at home.

“After some big wins last week, I think th( guys are moving forward with a full head o steam,” Coach Webb elated. “Confidence i; at an all-time high!”

The season began with a lot of questions How many games would actually be played' Will a tournament really be played?

“In regard to how uncertain we were at th( beginning of the season due to COVID, think everyone, myself included, are excitec that we are moving forward with the touma ment,” Coach Webb stated. “We are playinj our best basketball of the season right nov and I am very grateful that we can continue tc take this momentum into the postseason.”