Congratulations to Prescott senior girls basketball players Isabella Lenz, Nicole Dalman, Tori Benck and Sydney Matzek. who compiled an impressive overall record of 59-11 over the last three years including two conference championships and two regional titles. Isabella Lenz finishes her Cardinal eager career with 1,811 points and 552 rebounds. The four year starter was a four time all conference selection and will attend Michigan Tech on a basketball scholarship. Lenz was named Middle Border Conference Player of the Year for the second time. Nicole Dalman, a two time all conference selection. finishes her career with 667 career points and 575 rebounds. Dalman, who averaged a double double this season, will attend St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul. Senior Tori Benck was named Honorable Mention All Conference for the second consecutive year.

by Cripe Olson

UW-Stout Sophomore Haylee Yaegar is averaging 11.1 points per game for the Blue Devils basketball team this season. The 2019 Prescott alumnus has started every game for the WIAC school this year. Speaking of alumni Parker Nielsen and the West Texas A& M Buffaloes improved to 7-1 in Lone Star Conference play after victories over Western New Mexico and Oklahoma Christian this past week. The Buffaloes are 9-1 overall and are the #5 ranked team in NCAA Division 2.

Amery brothers Koy and Kale Hopke both won a WIAA State Wrestling Championship over the weekend. Kale, a junior wrestling at 195 pounds, bested Sam Galoff of Brillion in the title match by a score of 5-0. His younger brother Koy, a freshmen wrestling at 220 pounds, defeated Max Ramberg of Baldwin-Woodville in the title match by a score of 6-4. Both finished the season with a record of 23-0 and will lead the Warriors into the WIAA State Team Tournament this weekend at Adams-Friendship High School.

From the WIAA…Ror you football rule gurus The rule regarding blocking below the waist in the free-blocking zone in high school football has been revised for the upcoming 2021 season. This rule change was recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 10-12 meeting. This change to the 2021 NFHS Football Rules Book was subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. As a result of numerous interpretations of current language regarding blocking below the waist in the free-blocking zone, the committee approved another condition in Rule 2-17-2 that must be met for a legal block below the waist in the free-blocking zone, which is a rectangular area extending laterally 4 yards either side of the spot of the snap and 3 yards behind each line of scrimmage. The new requirement (2-17-2c) is that the block must be an immediate, initial action following the snap. Under the current rale, an offensive lineman can delay and then block below the waist if the ball is still in the zone. In the committee’s ongoing quest to minimize risk in high school football, the change was approved to require the block to be immediate. Good luck officials sorting this out.

From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources… The state Department of Natural Resources says it will propose a harvest quota of 200 wolves when the group's policy board meets Monday to discuss launching a wolf hunt immediately. The agency considered several factors in coming up with the number. Those include the most recent population estimate, the public response to earlier harvests, the current management plan and other research.

Peter Brookshaw and the North Dakota State Baseball team will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky on Friday and open the 2021 baseball season against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. First pitch for Friday’s opener is scheduled for 3 pm with Saturday and Sunday games slated to start at 1 pm. Additionally, according to D1 Baseball Peter Brookshaw is listed as a 2022 Major League Baseball Draft Prospect.

The St. Croix Central Panthers team won their first ever Middle Border Boys Basketball Championship finishing with a record of 14-0. Ranked #6 in Division three, The Panthers are picked as one of the teams to beat in the Somerset Sectional. The Panthers won a Dunn-St. Croix Conference title back in 2010.

Headshaker of the week. At last week’s regional semifinal game between Prescott and Durand a fan in the stands yelled “Let em play!” after an official called a foul. Moments later, the same fan stood up and yelled “Blow the Whistle” with equal fervor at the same official. Not to be outdone there was some very disconcerting unsportsmanlike behavior on display this past Saturday at the Prescott High School. Players continually rolling eyes at officials, gesturing to the sparse crowd and opponents, and openly defying coaches were all a part of quite an embarrassing performance. To be clear, neither situation involved anyone from Prescott. One thing for sure, both were headshakers.