Toppers come up short in the Valley and against the undefeated Mounders
By Kelsie Hoitomt
The Glenwood City boys’ basketball team put up a good fight against the undefeated Elk Mound Mounders last Thursday night, but fell short in the final quarter 56-44.
The Toppers started off the game strong outside the net with two three pointers, one from Richard Ross and the other from Tyler Nueske. The Mounders however were able to penetrate the net and racked up 17 points for a 17-8 first quarter score.
The Toppers then stepped up their performance and played their best game in the second quarter with 15 points scored including another three pointer for the team by Nick Mrdutt. This brought the game to within two points with the score at 25-23 going into the half.
The Mounders extended the lead again after half time after they put up 14 points and the Toppers had nine which resulted in a 39-32 score going into the final quarter.
The Toppers had a slight come back early in the fourth quarter as they brought the game to within just two points again, but too many fouls resulted in the Mounders getting free throw points which pushed the gap in the score.
As a team, the Mounders had 19 total attempts at the foul line with 13 of those counting compared to the Toppers who had just three attempts.
Ross was the points leader for the game with 16 from five deuces and two triples. Mrdutt had ten points from two deuces and two triples as well. Also scoring were Jake Hierlmeier with seven points from two deuces and three free throws, Marcus Kadinger had six points from three deuces and Nueske had five points from one deuce and one triple.
“Elk Mound is ranked fourth in division 4 state rankings and we showed we can play with the best of them. We still need to figure out a way to close out and get a win, but I like the way we have been playing lately,” shared coach Brent Wink.
Loss in the Valley
It was another close game that fell apart in the fourth quarter for the Hilltoppers Monday night against the Spring Valley Cardinals as the Toppers lost 44-38.
The Toppers were down in the first half of the game 20-12, but they came back in the third quarter to bring the game to a two point difference with the score at 26-24 going into the fourth.
The Toppers continued to keep the score close in the beginning of the fourth with two triples drained by Nueske and baskets by Hierlmeier, Ross and Mrdutt.
However, the Cardinals answered back and scored two triples from Benjamin Becker and a few last minute free throws, which pushed the gap in the score for the win.
Ross dominated the court again for the team with 14 points scored from six deuces and he was two for two on free throws. Nueske also had a solid game from outside the arc with three triples and a free throw for ten points. Hierlmeier and Mrdutt each had six points and Kadinger had two.
The Toppers will play at home Friday night for a double header with the girls’ team against Frederic starting at 7:30 p.m. They will then play a make-up game on Saturday in Plum City with the varsity starting at 4:30 p.m.