NOTE: Each week, the sports editors of swews4u.com; A.J. Gates (Grant County Herald Independent), Jason Nihles (Platteville Journal), Tom "Gunner" Gunnell (Republican Journal) and Erik Olson (The Richland Observer) combine to nominate our "Prep Performers of the Week".
PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK (Jan. 11-17)
BOYS BASKETBALL - CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Brandon Hardyman, sr., G (Darlington) – shot 10-of-18 from the field, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range, and went 6-of-10 at foul line en route to account for a career-high 29 points in the Redbirds' 62-39 win over Iowa-Grant at the SWAL Jamboree on Saturday evening. Hardyman scored 25 of his 29 points in the first half to lead the 'Birds to a 35-17 halftime lead, and he added eight rebounds, an assists and two steals. Hardyman also led the Redbirds with 20 points in Tuesday's 52-37 win over Riverdale.
Nick Tashner, jr., G (Platteville) – scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the third quarter to spark a 24-9 Platteville run that propelled the Hillmen to a 59-44 SWC victory at Lancaster last Friday night. The junior guard then made four 3-pointers and scored a career-high 24 points this past Tuesday to lead Platteville to a 66-59 non-conference victory at Galena.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ethan Grimled, sr., F (Seneca) – The 6'5" Grimsled came up big for the Indians during a three-game stretch over the past week. He scored 21 points in a 53-47 loss to River Ridge last Tuesday, then he scored 25 points to lead Seneca over Ithaca, 60-56 in overtime, in a key Ridge and Valley contest on Friday. Then, this Tuesday, he scored 22 points in a 47-36 non-conference win over Hillsboro. Seneca currently is tied with North Crawford for first in the R&V with a 6-1 record and they are 7-4 overall on the season.
Cory Rupnow, jr., F (Black Hawk) – Rupnow led the Warriors in scoring in three games last week while guiding the team to a 2-1 record over a span of seven days. Rupnow scored 13 points in a loss to Monticello last Tuesday, then added 13 points, eight rebounds and two assists in a key 48-41 win over Juda on Friday. On Saturday, Rupnow tallied a career-high 20 points with five rebounds and three assists to help the Warriors rout Durand, 72-53.
Cole Adams, so., G, (Cassville) – scored 23 points, in a 58-43 win over Belmont last Friday night, while the Braves played a box-in-one on Ty Kartman. Adams made five 3-pointers in the win, proving, you can't forget about him. Adams also scored six points in a 59-52 non-conference victory over North Crawford on Tuesday night as the Comets improved to 7-4 overall.
GIRLS BASKETBALL - PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Amy Jorgenson, sr., G (Darlington) – put up lines of 25 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 68-47 win over Dodgeville last Tuesday and 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 70-29 rout of Iowa-Grant at the SWAL Jamboree on Saturday. Darlington improved to 8-4 overall and 4-2 in the SWAL.
HONORABLE MENTION
Kailee Kamps, sr., F (Belmont) – matched her season-high 27 points in back-to-back wins over Madison’s Abundant Life Christian last Thursday and Highland this past Monday. Kamps really stepped up late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s win over Highland scoring eight straight points after rolling her ankle to break a 42-42 tie and carry the Braves to a 53-47 victory. On Saturday, Kamps made 10-of-16 shots, grabbed seven rebounds, six steals and had five assists despite playing less than a minute in the fourth quarter in a 65-29 route of ALC.
Clare Scott, jr., F (Darlington) – had 10 points and seven rebounds in last week’s non-conference win over Dodgeville and 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and four blocked shots in Saturday’s win over Iowa-Grant at UW-Platteville.
Alexi Needham, so., F (Fennimore) – scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Golden Eagles’ 53-14 SWAL victory over Boscobel last Saturday at UW-Platteville’s SWAL Jamboree. The sophomore followed that up by scoring a game-high 15 points in Fennimore’s 36-32 come-from-behind victory at Lancaster on Monday night. The Eagles improved to 12-1 overall.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Dusty Jentz, sr., 170 (Belmont/Platteville) – With his 4-0 showing at the Belmont/Platteville Duals on Saturday, Jentz became the winningest wrestler in Platteville High School history. Jentz pinned Darlington's Slade Norton in 1:34 in their 170-match in round two of the tournament to top his coach, Dane Droessler (146-9), as the career win leader at PHS. Jentz recorded two pins and a major decision on Saturday to move his career record to 149-19. Jentz also holds the record for most wins in the eight-year history of the Belmont/Platteville co-op.
HONORABLE MENTION
Clayton Jennings, 220 (Weston/Ithaca) – The #1-ranked Division 3 wrestler went 5-0 with 3 pins en route to the title in the 220-pound weight class at the Weston/Ithaca Scramble. He is 28-1 on the season.
Dillon Flock, sr., 152, (Cashton) and Dominic Flock, jr., 160 (Cashton) – The Flocks each won titles at the Weston/Ithaca Scramble. Dillon, ranked #6 in the D3 by Wisconsin Wrestling Online, posted five wins with three pins to take the title at 152-pounds, while Dominic, ranked #2 in D3, also posted five wins with three pins in taking the 160-pound title. Dillon (28-3) defeated #8-ranked Austin Cleary of Weston/Ithaca, 8-5, in the finals to win his title, while Dominic (28-1) posted an 11-3 major decision over Richland Center's Darren Mott in the finals to earn his title.
GYMNAST OF THE WEEK
Courtney Bowen, jr., (Platteville) – posted a career-best 8.550 to finish third on the balance beam and the all-around (34.075) in Platteville/Belmont/Lancaster’s 137.05-86.60 victory over Prairie du Chien/Richland Center on Monday night. Bowen also finished third on the vault (8.50) and fourth in both the uneven bars (8.00) and floor exercise (9.025).
SWIMMER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Murray, jr., (Lancaster) – was a part of four wins during Platteville/Lancaster’s 77-51 non-conference win over Waterloo East last week. Murray won the 50-yard freestyle in :26.07 seconds and was a part of all three victorious Hillmen Relays. Platteville/Lancaster is now 6-2 in duals this year.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Belmont/Platteville wrestling – The Jan. 5 42-36 win over River Valley was forfeit-aided, but the Braves picked up three legitimate wins at the Belmont/Platteville Dual Meet Tournament to finish second overall. The Braves, who gave up 12 to 18 points per round due to forfeits, registered 17 pins, an injury default win, a major decision and seven forfeit wins on the day. Jentz (170), David Stoney (220) and Lucas Stoney (285) each went 4-0 on Saturday as the Belmont/Platteville co-op improved to 4-6 in duals this season.
