By Derek Simon

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The Prescott boys’ team would again have a four-game week as they continued to make up games from an earlier break caused by COVID. Prescott’s eight games in 12 days tested the Cardinals endurance.

The Cardinals fourth game in five days, all on the road, was at Osceola. The Cheiftains struggled going into the matchup with a 1-16 record, 0-12 in Middle Border Conference play. Prescott entered the game with a 9-6 record, 6-4 in the Middle Border Conference. The Cheiftains raced out to an early 24-11 lead over a clearly tired Cardinals team. Prescott battled back to trail 34-24 at the half. After scoring the first four points of the second half, Prescott trailed 34-28 and looked like they were getting ready to take control. Unfortunately, Osceola came right back extending the lead to double digits. The Cheiftains then closed out the game making several free throws as Prescott trying to extend the game with fouls. Osceola would get the big upset win 66-58.

When a team is tired, they generally struggle bending their knees and shooting the basketball on offense. On defense they often are slow on switches and that leads to open shots. That may explain why in this game Osceola shot 17-48 35.4% overall and 11-23 47.8% from the three-point arc. The Cheiftains were also 21-27 from the free throw line. Prescott shot 27.1% from the field and 11-14 from the free throw line. Osceola also held a 42-34 advantage in rebounding.

Jordan Malmlov led the team with 15 points. He also had six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Hayden Pattridge scored 11 points. Freshmen Dallas Wallin added 10 points and six rebounds. Philip Seifert chipped in with nine points. Justin Syverson added six points. Walker Lenz scored four points. Teddy Hup pert scored two points with five rebounds. Ben Rohl scored one point with three steals.

Prescott had no time to concern themselves with the loss as the next they hosted Baldwin-Woodville in another conference game. Finally playing at home in the “Nest”, the Cardinals sprinted out to a 34-21 halftime lead and won easily 69-45. Prescott shot 43.9% from the field while holding Baldwin-Woodville to 18-47 or 38.2% shooting on the night. Prescott also owned the boards with a 35-24 rebounding advantage. The Cardinals pressured their opponents into 21 turnovers, including 16 steals in the victory.

Malmlov again led the team in scoring with 24 points. Wallin scored 17 points with seven rebounds and three steals. Teddy Huppert added a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Kyle Holman scored six points. Pattridge added five points, five rebounds, and three steals. Damion Huppert added three points. Aiden Russell scored two points.

Two night later, the Cardinals were again at the Nest hosting the conference leaders St. Croix Central. Central was looking for an undefeated conference season. Prescott not only was facing the toughest team in the conference, but they were also doing it in their sixth game in eight days. The tired Cardinals were no match on this night. At halftime they trailed 37-25, and as the game went on, they understandably wore down more. Prescott would fall 78-42. Prescott was just 17-51 33% from the floor and 3-22 13.6% from three-point land. St. Croix Central was 32-66 48.5% from the field and 10-29 34.5% from the three-point arc. Prescott was also outrebounded 36-26.

Malmlov paced the Cardinals with 10 points. Rohl added nine points. Wallin scored seven points with 11 rebounds and three steals. Teddy Huppert scored six points with five rebounds. Lenz scored four points. Seifert and Pattridge had three points apiece.

Photos by Gaylen Bicking. Syverson did not score but added five rebounds. The Cardinals regular season finale was played two night later in Prescott as they hosted the New Richmond Tigers. Prescott fell behind early and trailed 46-31 at halftime. The Cardinals would make a run in the second half, but the deficit was too large. New Richmond would hang on 79-68. Prescott has lived and died by the three point shot all year, and down the stretch this season, the tired shooters struggled. Prescott shot 27-62 43.5% overall 8-31 25.8% from deep. New Richmond was 24-45 53.3% from the floor and 8-20 40% from three-point land.

Malmlov again led Prescott with 30 points. Lenz had 11 points and six rebounds. Wallin added six points and six rebounds. Teddy Huppert and Rohl scored six point apiece. Seifert added five points. Dalman scored four points with six rebounds.

At the beginning of the week Prescott was awarded the second seed in their regional, which gives them a first-round bye and some much needed and deserved rest. The team will face the winner of Durand and Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau on Friday night in Prescott. A victory would likely mean a trip to LaCrosse to face Aquinas just like the girls’ team.

Junior Philip Seifert took a shot in the paint in Thursday’s loss at home to St. Croix Central. At right, Senior Hayden Pattridge sized up his defender on the perimeter.