Hilltopper boys upset at home by Frederic but earn win in Plum City

By Kelsie Hoitomt

The Glenwood City boys’ basketball team hosted the Frederic Vikings Friday night in a double header with the girls’ teams and then they traveled to Plum City on Saturday for a make-up game.

Upset by Vikings 54-42

The Toppers had a slight edge over the Frederic Vikings throughout the first half of the game last Friday, February 1 as the score was 28-26 going into the break.

The Toppers posted 16 points in the second quarter, seven of which were from Nick Mrdutt.

The game, however, changed after the half, as the Toppers had too many turnovers, which opened up the door for the Vikings to score and secure the lead.

The Toppers scored just seven points in the third and fourth quarters each compared to the Vikings who stepped up their offense and put up 13 points in the third and 15 in the fourth.

Six of the Toppers’ 14 points were scored by Richard Ross, who drained two out of his three treys in the second half.

However, ten of the Vikings’ 28 points scored in the second half were from free throws. As a team they had 16 attempts at the line compared to the Toppers, who had just two attempts with one make.

Ross scored 13 points from the three triples and two deuces. Matt Schouten had eight points from four deuces, Mrdutt had seven points from three deuces and a free throw, Marcus Kadinger had three deuces and Tyler Nueske and Jake Hierlmeier each had four points.

First quarter blow out

The Toppers earned another conference win last Saturday, February 2 during their rescheduled game in Plum City against the Blue Devils. The Toppers beat the Blue Devils by just one point earlier this season, but pulled off a 64-36 victory this time around.

The game started off in the Toppers’ favor as they had a huge first quarter with 25 points scored thanks to three-pointers by Kadinger, Nueske and Ross. Glenwood City followed up with an additional 14 points in the second quarter to put the score at 39-16 at the half.

The Toppers’ momentum carried into the third quarter as they put up 17 points including another triple by Nueske. They held the Blue Devils to nine points for a 56-25 score going into the final quarter.

The pace however slowed down some in the fourth quarter as the Toppers scored eight points on baskets from Michael Johnson, Ross and Mrdutt.

Tyler Johnson and Kadinger led the game in points with 11 each; both had four deuces and one triple.

Collecting the rest of the team’s points were Nueske with ten, Ross had nine, Schouten had seven, Hierlmeier and Mrdutt each had six and Michael Johnson had four.

This week the Toppers played at home Tuesday night in a non-conference game against Spooner, Thursday night they are home again to host the Colfax Vikings and Friday night is a make-up game at St. Croix Central.