The Prescott girls basketball team enters the holiday break undefeated in the Middle Border at 5-0 with New Richmond sitting in second place with a record of 2-0. Prescott will play at New Richmond on January 19th. The Cardinals are the #6 ranked team in Division III. Other teams to keep an eye on in the Somerset Sectional include Barron (5-0), Northwestern (4-1), Wisconsin Dells (4-1), and Adams-Friendship (5-3)._ Although Coulee Conference teams have only played a handful of games, look for Westby to emerge as one of the teams to beat come tournament time._ Last week senior guard Isabella Lenz became the second girls basketball player in Prescott history to eclipse 1,500 points._ The Michigan Tech signee will open holiday gifts 28 points shy of Kaycee Charette’s record of 1,545 points._ The Cardinals travel to St. Croix Falls on the 28th to take on the_ #4 ranked Saints and will host perennial girls basketball power Durand on December 30th.__ It was quite a show last Tuesday._ Sophomore Jordan Malmlov scored 27 first half points against the visiting Buffaloes of Mondovi._ The sophomore bombardier drained eight three pointers and sank three free throws in a 27 point first half performance. _ The talented 10th grader is averaging just over 23 points a game this season and is shooting over 95% from the free throw line. Malmlov appears well on his way to becoming the next 1,000 point scorer in Cardinal basketball history. Another underclassmen turning some heads is 9th grader Dallas Wallin._ The freshmen swingman averages in double figures and plays with maturity beyond his years.__ Prescott Basketball alumni – Where are they now?_ 1995 graduate Eric Herried. A three year varsity starter, Herried played for the Cardinals from 1993-1995 helping the Cardinals finish in the top 3rd of the Dunn-St. Croix Conference each year._ A two time All Conference selection, Herried went on to play four years at Augsburg College. Herried was also a member of the 1994 State Championship baseball team. The always affable Herried currently resides in Duluth Minnesota and is a Financial Advisor._ Speaking of Cardinal alumni,_ Parker Nielsen played his first minutes and scored his first collegiate points last week as the West Texas A & M Buffaloes trounced Texas A& M Commerce 100-70 in their season opener._ Nielsen and the Buffs return to action on January 8th when they host Dallas Baptist University._ The River Falls basketball team showcased three scholarship basketball players this past Saturday in Prescott. Guard Zac Johnson will attend NCAA Division 2 Augustanna in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, J.T Dougherty has committed to Army, and twin brother Liam Dougherty will attend the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota._ River Falls is ranked in top 5 in Division 2 and is one of the favorites to advance to the state tournament. _ From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. _ Preliminary numbers indicate a 15% increase in deer harvest statewide this year compared to last year’s nine day gun season. Pierce county hunters reported an 11% increase in this year’s harvest and registered about 250 more whitetails in the county last month._ Some bad news from the Department. _ It has been confirmed that a wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Town of Polk in central Washington County, within ten miles of Ozaukee County._ As required by state law, the DNR will enact a new two-year ban on baiting and feeding in Ozaukee County effective Jan. 5, 2021 and renew a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Washington County. State law requires that the DNR enact a ban on the baiting and feeding of deer in counties or portions of counties within a 10-mile radius of a wild or farm-raised deer that tests positive for CWD. Baiting and feeding were already banned in Washington County due to a prior CWD positive detection in a farmraised deer facility.

It’s gotta be my military background but boy do I love the crew cuts of the University of Iowa Men’s basketball team. Head Coach Frank Mc-Caffery’s_ Hawkeyes sport a look reminiscent of the college basketball teams of the 1950’s._ Additionally, Midwest basketball fans might remember the great Minnesota High School basketball teams from Chisholm, Minnesota._ Former Head Coach Bob McDonald of the Bluestreaks coached Chisholm for 59 years and won over 1,000 games, including three state championships. Those who played for McDonald were required to keep hair trimmed above their ears as players always did well over a half century ago. Sideburns could not creep below their cheekbones and suits and ties were mandatory on game days. “In Chisholm we wanted a clean look to us,” said McDonald. “We wanted a kid who looks like a high school kid. We don’t want him to look like somebody who was working up north here logging.”_ Also, a weeknight curfew was set at 10 p.m._ And finally from the legendary coach “Anyone who decided a 3-point shot was more important than a 3.0 in the classroom would get the message real early. They all knew upfront that a D on a report card was grounds for dismissal from the team.” I have often wondered if someone like Mc-Donald, who retired in 2014, could be a head coach today. I think we all know the answer to that question._ Mc-Donald passed away this past fall at the age of 87._ Covid 19 was listed as the cause._ Headshaker of the week. For those who believe this year’s Big 10 Football season should not be followed with an asterisk, that’s a headshaker. _