Bulldog boys upset at home by Hilltoppers

By Kelsie Hoitomt

BOYCEVILLE – The Boyceville and Glenwood City boys’ basketball teams met for the second time this season last Tuesday night, February 12 where the Hilltoppers took home the victory after a 45-36 final.

The Toppers started out the game with a slight lead over the Bulldogs with the score 11-7 after the first eight minutes through the shooting of a trey by Richard Ross and baskets by Marcus Kadinger and Nick Mrdutt.

This four to five point lead continued throughout the rest of the first half and into the third quarter as the Bulldogs were just not able to knock down baskets like they needed.

The Bulldogs played their best game in the third quarter with 12 points scored, but the Hilltoppers followed with 12 points of their own for a 32-27 score going into the fourth.

Jordan Kuhn, Michael Lagerstrom and Justin Schulz each had drained a three pointer in the game, but there wasn’t enough consistency to close the gap.

“Our late season shooting woes seem to have continued and it was a very sloppy game with lots of turnovers. We didn’t take care of the ball, but Glenwood did a great job of pressure defense when we didn’t shoot well,” said coach Jay Lagerstrom.

Along with turnovers, the Bulldogs had a handful of fouls called against them with the majority in the fourth quarter.

The Hilltoppers had 19 attempts at the charity line with 12 of those making it through the net. The Bulldogs had six free throw attempts with four of those counting.

“I was pleased with our team defense. Our guys played great defense around the perimeter, not allowing their shooters to get in rhythm. Mrdutt really caused a lot of turnovers and that certainly kept them out of their offense most of the night,” explained coach Brent Wink.

Ross was the points leader for the Hilltoppers with 13 from the one trey, three deuces and four out of seven free throws.

Mrdutt followed with nine points, Matt Schouten six, Kadinger and Tyler Nueske each had five, Tyler Johnson had four and Jake Hierlmeier had one basket and a free throw.

The Bulldogs were fairly even with points as Mitch Leach had eight, Lagerstrom had seven, Kuhn had the two treys, Ryan Williams and Zach Klassen had four, Schulz had a trey, and Tyler Draeger and Brady Schutts had two each.