Hilltopper boys’ basketball learning from their mistakes in 1-2 start
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SCOOP SHOT — Topper junior Ethan Hanson (#24) split a pair of Prescott defenders during last Friday’s home hardwood game and got off this under-handed shot attempt. Hanson finished with five points against the defending division 3 state champion Cardinals who downed the Toppers 87-49 in the November 30 contest. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
By Amber Hayden
GLENWOOD CITY — The Hilltopper boys’ basketball team took to the court three times last week to open the season playing home games against Grantsburg last Tuesday evening, November 27, defending D3 state champion Prescott on Friday, November 30 and Siren the next day, December 1, at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
The game against Grantsburg was tough physically for Glenwood City, as height seemed to play a big factor in the game. The Pirates took it to the Hilltoppers in the first outing of the season, winning 66-53.
In the Hilltoppers second contest of the new season, they took on the reigning champs from Prescott and were walloped 87-49.
The trip to Minneapolis to play at the Target Center was deemed a fruitful endeavor for the Hilltoppers. Glenwood City was able to wash away the sour taste of its previous defeats with a close 48-45 victory over the Siren Dragons. The first half of the game went the Dragons’ way before the Toppers were able to pull it together and rally for the win.
Glenwood City will take to the road for their next two games, the first this Thursday, December 6 in Mondovi and the following Tuesday, December 11, at the Durand Panthers.
TOPPERS’ senior Dillion Hierlmeier goes up for two points in Glenwood City’s home boys’ basketball game against defending state champion Prescott. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Grantsburg
In their first game of the season, the Glenwood City Hilltoppers fell to Grantsburg 53-66 being out rebounded and struggling with turnovers.
“I thought we played well for short periods of time, but we had a lot of turnovers and gave up too many offensive rebounds,” said head coach Tristan Kittilson.
The Hilltoppers took the lead early on with a score of 9-4 before the Pirates embarked on a 30-15 run to end the first half with a 34-24 advantage.
Dillon Hierlmeier and Hadin DeSmith paved the way points wise for Glenwood City sinking the ball for 14 points a piece. Hierlmeier scored off of four doubles and two triples.
Grantsburg, a Lakeland West team, showcased the physical attributes and quickness of its roster including a height advantage over Glenwood City.
Leo Chanel, the 6’ 2” Wisconsin Badgers’ recruit, was hard to stop inside as he drew several three-point play opportunities after getting fouled and making the basket. He finished with 21 points
Pirates’ sophomore Jarad VanWatermeulen, who stands at 6’ 5”, showed an acumen to play inside as well as outside also finished the game with 21 points.
Hadin DeSmith started his senior year with 14 total points, nine of which came from well placed three-point shots against the Pirates. DeSmith was also one of two from the foul line along with two doubles.
“The length and physicality that Grantsburg has really hurt us and proved to be the difference in the game,” stated Kittilson.
Brandyn Hallquist and Ethan Hanson each put up nine points a piece, with each putting up a triple in the second half.
Gaining some varsity minutes were players Dan Loring with two points, and Gavin Janson hit the boards for another five points.
Despite the loss, coach Kittilson believes the team had some small positives that they will use to build on individually and as a team.
GLENWOOD CITY 53, GRANTSBURG 66
Glenwood City…….…………24 29 – 53
Grantsburg…………………….34 32 – 66
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Glenwood City— B. Hallquist 3-0-2-9, D. Hierlmeier 4-0-4-14, D. Loring 1-0-1-2, G. Janson 0-2-0-5, H. DeSmith 2-1-3-14, E. Hanson 3-0-1-9.
Grantsburg— L. Chenal 9-3-4-21, C. Knutson 2-0-0-4, D. Mackean 0-0-2-6, G. Chenal 1-0-1-2, A. Wedin 2-4-2-8, J. VanWatermeulen 9-3-1-21.
THREE-POINTERS GC— B. Hallquist 1, D. Hierlmeier 2, G. Janson 1, H. DeSmith 3, E. Hanson 1; G— D. Mackean 2.
Prescott
The Glenwood City Hilltoppers hosted the Prescott Cardinals in their second game of the week and struggled to put together a game plan in the 87-49 loss to the defending WIAA Division 3 state champions.
“I know for a fact we are a better team than what showed, but with that being said Prescott deserves a lot of credit for that and they are a very strong team and have been for many years now,” coach Kittilson said.
Dillon Hierlmeier led the way for the Hilltoppers with 12 points overall, putting up five doubles and was two for two from the foul line.
Sophomore guard Brandyn Hallquist kept the Cardinals on their toes managing two doubles, a triple and going four of seven from the line.
“Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and use that game as motivation to get better moving forward,” Kittilson stated.
Hadin DeSmith added in nine points, Tanner Davis hit the net for six more and Ethan Hanson contributed another five points.
GLENWOOD CITY 49, PRESCOTT 87
Glenwood City…….…………..24 25 – 49
Prescott………………………….43 44 – 87
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Glenwood City— B. Hallquist 2-4-3-11, D. Hierlmeier 5-2-3-12, G. Janson 0-0-2-3, H. DeSmith 1-1-4-9, E. Hanson 2-1-1-5, C. Logghe 1-1-0-3, T. Davis 3-0-3-6.
Prescott— D. Malmov 3-3-3-12, M. Holte 6-1-3-13, P. Nielsen 5-6-1-19, H. Daymond 1-0-0-5, C. Stenroos 0-1-0-1, J. Doffing 9-2-1-19, B. Tayson 4-0-0-11, J. Lubich 3-3-4-9
THREE-POINTERS GC— B. Hallquist 1, G. Janson 1, H. DeSmith 2; P— D. Malmov 1, P. Nielsen 1, H. Daymond 1, B. Tayson 1.
CORNER SHOT — The Hilltoppers’ Brandyn Hallquist (#0) put this three-point shot over the outstretched arm of a Grantsburg defender in last Tuesday’s non-conference contest at home. Hallquist tallied nine points in a 66-53 season-opening setback to the Pirates. —photo by Shawn DeWitt
Siren at the Target Center
Glenwood City’s game against the Siren Dragons took place at the Target Center in Minneapolis this past Saturday, December 1, and for the Hilltoppers it was a tale of two halves.
“The first half we came out flat on both offense and defense and Siren took advantage and built a good lead,” coach Kittilson explained.
Senior Hadin DeSmith started the first half off with 14 points for Glenwood City, and carried it through to the second half, finishing with 26 points. DeSmith was seven of ten from the foul line, hit the boards for eight doubles and a single triple in the Hilltoppers win against Siren.
In the second half of the game, Gavin Janson and Bradyn Hallquist stepped up for three triples between the pair, Hallquist also put up a single double.
“The second half didn’t start off very promising either, but we got a few stops and made a few big baskets and the team never stopped fighting and in the end we made just enough plays to get the W,” said Kittilson.
Tanner Davis had a big night from the foul line going four for four and hitting the boards for a double. Ethan Hanson added three more points to his career hitting the net for a triple in Glenwood’s win against Siren.
“So again, lots we need to clean up, do better at and learn from if we want to keep winning,” Kittilson said.
GLENWOOD CITY 48, SIREN 45
Glenwood City…….….………16 32 – 48
Siren……………………………..31 14 – 45
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Glenwood City— B. Hallquist 1-0-3-5, D. Hierlmeier 1-0-2-2, G. Janson 0-0-1-6, H. DeSmith 8-7-3-26, E. Hanson 0-0-1-3, T. Davis 1-4-4-6.
Siren— N. Kosloski 4-1-4-15, Songetay 0-0-4-3, Anderson 0-2-0-2, K. Christenson 0-0-1-6, J. Webster 1-0-3-2, B. Kosloski 0-0-2-3, R. Churchill 5-1-2-14.
THREE-POINTERS GC— B. Hallquist 1, G. Janson 2, H. DeSmith 1, E. Hanson 1; S— N. Kosloski 2, Songetay 1, K. Christenson 2, B. Kosloski 1, R. Churchill 1.
