Mounder boys struggle in opening week of basketball season, drop two out of three
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REACHING FOR IT — Colton Ward (#5) reached above Altoona defender Mark Evans (#14) for the two points during the Northwest Tip-Off Tournament hosted by UW-Stout last Saturday afternoon. —photo by Amber Hayden
By Amber Hayden
ELK MOUND— The Elk Mound boys’ basketball team took to the hardwood three times last week to open its 2018-19 season with a challenging non-conference slate featuring Fall Creek, Black River Falls, and Altoona.
The Mounders tipped off their new campaign by hosting Fall Creek Crickets last Tuesday evening, November 27. Head Coach Michael Kessler explained the boys battled Fall Creek all game and were able to pull off a three-point overtime win, 56-53.
Elk Mound then took to the road for a pair of games within a two-day span.
The Mounders made their way south last Thursday, November 29 to Black River Falls to tangle with the Tigers only to come up short in a 57-41 final.
Elk Mound then joined several other teams from throughout the region to compete in the Northwest Tip-Off tournament hosted by UW-Stout. The Mounders were matched up against the Altoona Railroaders Saturday afternoon, December 1 and suffered their second straight loss, 67-49.
The Mounders will begin Dunn-St. Croix play this Thursday, December 6 when they battle the Bulldogs in Boyceville. Then next Tuesday, December 11, Elk Mound will be in Colfax for an early-season rivalry game.
PASS THE BALL — Cade Hanson (#20) gets off a quick pass around his defender during the December 1 game against Altoona played at UW-Stout. —photo by Amber Hayden
Fall Creek
The Mounders found themselves in a tight game against the Crickets last Tuesday evening, November 27, but were able to squeeze out a three-point home win.
“We struggled to hit shots at times, but managed to make them at the right moments,” coach Kessler stated. “I thought our patience on offense improved as the game went on and we ended up getting better looks in the second half.”
Mounders’ senior Rian Flynn was a force to be reckoned with as he scored 22 points including four treys and was six-for-six from the foul line.
Fellow senior Marcus Kinblom kept up the pace netting six doubles and five foul shots in Elk Mound’s 56-53 overtime win against Fall Creek.
“Defensively I thought we played tough on the ball, and protected the lane quite well,” Kessler said. “Although we struggled to consistently rebound, I was happy with the way the guys played on the defensive end.”
Jake Mentzel and Brett Lew got in on some of the action putting in 15 points between the pair, Mentzel hit two triples against the Crickets and Lew was five for seven from the foul line.
“Certainly very proud of the grit this team showed as we were down nine with 3:30 left in regulation, and found a way to send it to OT and eventually come away with the victory,” coach Kessler exclaimed.
ELK MOUND 56, FALL CREEK 53
Elk Mound……..……………….21 35 – 56
Fall Creek………………………..21 32 – 53
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Elk Mound— R. Flynn 2-6-2-22, C. Steinhorst 1-0-0-2, B. Lew 2-5-2-9, J. Mentzel 0-0-4-6, M. Kinblom 6-5-4-17.
Fall Creek— M. Cline 3-0-2-6, J. Kinderman 7-9-3-26, S. Bochman 1-0-3-2, D. Anderson 2-0-3-7, B. Nick 1-2-3-4, T. Anders 1-0-4-2, L. Olson 0-0-1-3, J. Burghardt 1-1-4-3.
THREE-POINTERS
EM – R. Flynn 4, J. Mentzel 2; J. Kinderman 1, D. Anderson 1, L. Olson 1.
Black River Falls
The trip to Black River saw Elk Mound struggle to make baskets despite the offensive opportunities. The Tigers took the win over Mounders by a score of 57-41.
“We ran great offense and got some pretty terrific looks, but shot 20 percent from the three and 30 percent overall,” coach Kessler explained.
Senior Marcus Kinblom, despite receiving three fouls, led Elk Mound with 15 points with six doubles and three-for-four from the foul line.
Rian Flynn had a successful night as well for the Mounders tallying a dozen points in the 36 minutes of play.
“I thought we defended well, and really forced them into taking and making some tough shots,” Kessler said. “Another building block in the early part of the year for our group of young guys, but we really like the direction we are headed and the growth we are seeing from our kids.”
BLACK RIVER FALLS 58, ELK MOUND 41
Elk Mound……..………………. 41
Black River Falls……………….. 57
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Elk Mound— R. Flynn 4-0-1-12, J. Mentzel 3-0-2-6, M. Kinblom 6-3-3-15, C. Rhude 1-0-0-6, N. Lew 2-0-4-4.
FIGHTING FOR POINTS — The Mounders’ Marcus Kinblom (#35) looked for a path to the basket as Gage Turner (#5) of Altoona blocked the way. —photo by Amber Hayden
Altoona at Stout
The Mounders traveled to the Johnson Fieldhouse on the UW-Stout campus in Menomonie on December 1 to compete against Altoona in the Northwest Tip-Off Tournament. The excursion resulted in 67-49 loss to the Railroaders.
“Altoona’s full court pressure really got to us in the first half, and led to too many turnovers on our end,” coach Kessler commented.
Marcus Kinblom and Nate Lew were in and out for a majority of the game due to foul trouble, Kinblom put up just eight points before fouling out and Lew got off just two free throws before sitting out with four fouls.
Senior player Jake Mentzel sat most of last Saturday’s game with back pain but put up a single triple during the game against Altoona.
“I was pleased with our response in the second half and thought we handled their (Altoona) pressure a lot better,” Kessler stated. “We were able to get it within eight multiple times.”
Rian Flynn and Brett Lew had a quiet first half putting up 10 points between the pair before taking it to the Railroaders in the second half with 18 points. Both finished with 14 points as Flynn scored three triples and Lew went four of six from the foul line.
“I was happy to see growth in the second half, and hope that is a positive sign moving forward.” Kessler stated.
ALTOONA 58, ELK MOUND 49
Elk Mound……..……………….17 32 – 49
Altoona…….……………………..31 36 – 67
TEAM STATISTICS (FG-FT-F-TP)
Elk Mound— R. Flynn 0-5-1-14, J. Mentzel 0-0-1-3, M. Kinblom 3-2-5-8, N. Lew 0-2-4-2, C. Ward 1-0-1-2. B. Lew 2-4-3-14,C. Steinhorst 1-0-3-2, C. Hanson 2-1-2-5.
Altoona— K. Harris 2-3-3-7, N. McMahon 0-0-3-15, J. Nelson 3-1-0-7, G. Turner 2-3-3-7, E. Moss 2-3-1-10, C. Ternberg 0-1-1-1, B. Turk 1-0-2-2, R. Martin 5-0-2-10, J. Meyer 4-2-2-10.
THREE-POINTERS EM— R. Flynn 3, B. Lew 2, J. Mentzel 1; N. McMahon 5, E. Moss 1.