Staff report

The Prescott girls’ varsity basketball team returned to action Monday night after their Christmas break. The Cardinals travelled to St. Croix Falls in a big non-conference match up. Prescott entered the night with a 6-1 record and were ranked fifth in the division three rankings. The Saints were coming into the game with a 5-1 record and were ranked seventh in the division three rankings. Prescott did not have Nicole Dahlman in the game, who is second on the team in scoring average and leads the team in rebounding on the season.

After the Saints scored the first basket of the game, Lila Posthuma hit a jump shot to tie the game at 2-2. The next possession, Bella Lenz made a nice half court pass to a streaking Tori Benck for a layup and the Cardinals led 4-2. The Saints got hot, hitting shots inside and from the arc, and also started playing a tough defense. Prescott was forced into a couple turnovers and some tough shots. Coach Radloff called a timeout after a 10-0 run gave St. Croix Falls a 12-4 lead. After the time out, Prescott made a run of their own. A jumper by Rylie Radloff, a layup by Posthuma, and two free throws by Benck closed the score to 12-10. St. Croix Falls tightened up their defense and get some easy baskets in transition. Another big run by the Saints, this time 13-0, gave them a 25-10 lead. The Saints continued to pull away the rest of the half as Prescott struggled shooting the ball. St. Croix Falls jumped out to a 37-16 lead at halftime.

Lenz made two free throws to start the scoring in the second half to trim the lead to 37-18. St. Croix Falls slowed down their offense to use more clock on each possession. The Cardinals cut the lead to 19 twice more in the second half, but could get no closer. The Saints go on to defeat the Cardinals, 62-35. Prescott did not make a three-point shot on the night, going 0-11. The tough shooting night also kept Prescott from using their devasting full court trap that has led to so many easy baskets this season.

Prescott had only five players score on the night. Lenz led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals. Benck scored nine points, while Posthuma added 6 points. Radloff contributed 2 points and six rebounds, and Isabel Matzek scored two points as well.

Prescott needed to have short memories as they faced Durand two days later at the Nest.

Plum City boys win big

Plum City/Elmwood’s boys’ basketball team (2-2, 1-1 in conference play) traveled to Independence last Tuesday night and came away with a lopsided 72-47 win.

“I think our offense is finally starting to click,” Head Coach Kyle Webb stated. “We have some guys that are taking on some new roles than they are used to, and I'd say that transition has worked out well for them after a few games. To put it simply, I think we are finding our rhythm.”

The Wolves had four players score in double digits on the night, led by senior Basil Gilles’ 13 points and six rebounds. Junior Luke Webb contributed a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, while fellow junior Dayne Whipple scored 10 points on an efficient two of five makes from three-point range. Whipple also recorded three steals to lead the Wolves.

Senior Tyler Bauer led the Wolves with four assists on top of his 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Wolves earned a short break for the holiday season after the win.

“We had the players come in for a few open gyms, but mostly we let them rest,” Webb passed along. They had worked hard the last couple of weeks and deserved to spend time with their families and participate_in winter activities that they enjoy.”

After the printing of this publication, the Wolves started a busy week, hosting Alma/Pepin on Tuesday in Elmwood before Spring Valley comes to Plum City on Thursday. The Wolves also travel to Glenwood City this Friday night.

The Wolves are tied with five other teams for second place in the Dunn-St. Croix Conference (DSC) behind just Colfax in first place. Boyceville is the lone winless team in a competitive conference.

“The DSC Conference is a tough one this year,” Webb stated. “I think we are going to see some surprising results towards_the end of the season and as all teams start to get into their grooves. I think we will make a good push coming up here in the next month, but other teams in the area are for sure going to as well. Ultimately, it is hard to say who I envision being at the top.”