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The Badger Junior High Boys Basketball team played their last game of the regular season right before the Holiday break last week. Tuesday night the Badgers hosted the Junior High squad from Power in the season finale for both teams.

The B squad was up first, and it took awhile for the team to get going. The Badgers lost a rough 2nd quarter 4-12 and ended the 1st half down 11-21. However, the boys played a very spirited 2nd half and closed their season out by matching the Pirates scoring 15-15 the last two quarters. Unfortunately, the 10-point deficit was too much, and the final score saw the Badgers on the wrong end of a 26-36 final. Hudson Munski, Tucker Landa, Lane McWilliams and Mason Day played great all night and made it hard for the Pirates offense with their effort on the defensive end. Max Poliakiwski had his best offensive performance of the year and led the Badger scoring with 10. Hermann Gessner and Trevin Ogden ran the floor and each chipped in 7. Stryker Goetze rounded out the scoring with a bucket of his own and pulled down the bulk of the Badger rebounds.

The B team's season ended Tuesday night with a final record of 5-4 and I'm very proud of the way they worked and improved throughout the season. The team was comprised entirely of 6th graders, and they often were outmatched by taller and older opponents. Despite any disadvantage they always played tough and never made excuses. Two of their losses were decided by less than 3 points. I'm excited to see them develop and know they will continue to work on their game in the off season.

The A game was the last of the evening and the season for the older Badger squad. Power brought an A team that was 6-1 in conference play and had sealed the 2nd seed in the tournament.

The game was back and forth all night and the Badgers played tough defense while working the ball on offense throughout the contest. Unfortunately, we hit a rough scoring stretch in the 3rd quarter and only managed one bucket in that period. That quarter proved to be the difference in the game and the final score saw us on the losing end of a 39-44 score.

Owen Sivertsen

Despite the loss, the Badgers have a lot to take from the game and build on. The scoring in the other 3 periods was much better and, in fact, the Badgers won each of the other three frames. Jayden Alatorre led the scoring with 22, Cameron Cordeiro hit a 3 pointer and finished with 5, and Reed Redfield added 4. Defensive stars for the night were Kalen Vanek, Isaac Edmundson, Owen Sivertsen, Lane McKamey, Tre Butcher and Bobby Rumney. In addition to their great defensive effort, each added a bucket to the scoring total.

The Badger A team now turns its attention to the league tournament. The Badgers will head to Simms on Tuesday, November 28th to take on the Tigers at 7:30 pm. The winner of the contest will advance to the tournament final four to be played on Saturday, December 2nd.