So far, February belongs to this Prescott Cardinal’s team. Since winning by two at New Richmond, they have won every game this month by 12 or more points, by an average margin of victory of 23. Coach Nick Johnson has preached all season about how they need to keep improving and it appears his players have answered that call.

Parker Nielsen led the unstoppable Cardinals against Saint Croix Central, finishing with a double-double. His 38point, 10-assist effort helped the team shoot 57% from the floor. Jacob Doffing anchored the Cardinals defense, blocking three shots as the Panthers were forced to settle for tough looks and shot just 38% as a team. Mason Holte and Doffing each grabbed seven rebounds and Nielsen was close behind with six to help the Cardinals control the paint.

Holte also dished out three assists and finished with five points and a steal. Walker Lenz kept himself busy all over the court, blocking a shot, finishing with five points to go along with a pair of rebounds and steals.

Dylan Malmov made all four of his shots, three of them from outside the arc, to finish with 11 points, four rebounds and an assist.

Gabe Siler led the Panthers with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Amery was searching for their first win of the season and Prescott was not the place to look for it on Friday.

The Cardinal faithful went wild for starters Jared Knott, Lane Budworth, Riley Anfinson, Gabe VanHolbeck and Patrick Haas on senior night.

Amery missed an alleyoop on the first possession and Patrick Haas’ rebound was hit out of bounds. After exchanging misses, VanHolbeck’s tight defense forced a bad shot by Amery. Knott rebounded it and passed the ball to Anfinson, who pushed the ball up to VanHolbeck in the corner, who hit nothing but net four minutes into the game. Strong Cardinal defense forced a travel turnover before Haas grabbed another rebound and let the home team set up their offense. After some good ball movement, Knott got fouled inside.

Coach Johnson replaced the group of seniors with another group of five seniors.

Mason Holte drew a foul and made his first free throw. Amery rebounded it but the ballhandler traveled when he was swarmed by Cardinal defenders before he could push the ball up the court.

Parker Nielsen and Jacob Doffing each scored an easy bucket inside before Doffing blocket a shot on two consecutive possessions. Wyatt Holum was next, swatting a ball that got pushed up the court where Doffing found Holte inside. Holte got fouled and made one, tying the game at 10-10 with 12:00 to play.

Amery scored a basket inside after two scoreless minutes of play, but Nielsen answered with a transition layup after another Doffing blocked shot. Dylan Malmov hit a three pointer on the next possession and the Cardinals led 15-12 with nine minutes left in the first half. Nielsen got busy, casually assisting on a pass to Holte from center court and blocking a shot of his own but Amery continued to hang around and led 20-18 with five minutes to spare in the half. Parker drove in the

See CARDINAL BOYS, Page 15

Photo by Joseph Back. lane and tied it up with an easy midrange look. Some good ball movement from the Cardinal’s found Nielsen an open look and he connected on a deep three pointer to go up 23-20 before Prescott went on to win.

Nielsen again led in scoring and assists, finishing with 24 and five. Holte scored 12 and dished out four assists. Dylan Malmov was close behind with 11 points, five rebounds and a pair of assists and steals. Jacob Doffing scored six points, grabbed 10 rebounds and assisted on three made baskets. Walker Lenz and Gabe VanHolbeck both scored five points and grabbed three boards. Lenz also had a pair of assists. Senior Riley Anfinson recorded five rebounds, four assists and made the only shot he took. Senior Jared Knott helped hold down the lane, ending the game with six rebounds, three points, an assist and a blocked shot. Seniors Patrick Haas and Lane Budworth both hit a three pointer. Haas grabbed a pair of rebounds and Budworth grabbed one as well.

The Cardinals shot a very efficient 63% from the floor as a team to Amery’s 30%. Doffing led the defense once again and finished the game with six blocked shots and Nielsen swatted another three. Jared Knott and Wyatt Holum blocked one each as well. Doffing and Dylan Malmov each stole a pair of passes and Nielsen, Holum and Mason Holte all recorded a steal.

The Cardinals finished strong in both games, scoring 41 points in the second half of each game last week.

“We’ve got big time minutes and production from three newcomers to varsity this season,” Coach Nick Johnson said. “We knew Wyatt, Walker and Jordan needed to step up. We knew what we had with Parker, Jacob, Mason and Dylan. These three have really understood their roles and have put the team first in all aspects of their game.”

With another conference title within reach, the Cardinals have positioned themselves at the top of the Middle Border Conference, well within reach of the goal they set out to accomplish at the start of the year.

“When we lost at home to New Richmond, we knew how challenging that goal was going to be. Our conference is very challenging and we couldn’t afford to overlook any game. This group has been extremely focused,” Johnson said.

Prescott heads to Baldwin-Woodville on Thursday for their last game before playoff action gets started. Friday, March 6th the #1 seeded Cardinals host the winner of #8 Hayward and #9 Ellsworth.

“We need to continue to understand the importance of each possession. Every game here on out is for a championship. I believe the way last year ended has taught our players there is no such thing as a guarantee,” Johnson said about his top-seeded team.

Photo by Joseph Back.