MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Jan. 28–Feb. 4)
SIX RIVERS WEST BOYS BASKETBALL: #8 Potosi 65, #2 Highland 56
By A.J. Gates, Herald Independent
Defending league champion Chieftains defeat #2Cardinals
POTOSI — Coach Mike Uppena and his Potosi boys basketball team surged back to the top of the Six Rivers West standings Thursday night with a 65–56 victory over visiting Highland, redemption for a 55–52 loss to the Division 5 #2-ranked Cardinals back on Dec. 10,
Last week’s victory gave the two-time defending conference champion Potosi (13–2) a league record of 11–1, a half game behind Highland (14–2, 12–1 SRW) and a half game ahead of River Ridge (15–2, 11–2).
The Chieftains continue to control their own destiny toward a three-peat, with a remaining schedule that includes league games against Cassville (5–10, 4–8), Shullsburg (6–10, 3–8), Benton (2–14, 2–10) and River Ridge (15–2, 11–2) in the Six Rivers West, and Pecatonica (7–7, 6–6), Argyle (11–4, 9–2) and Monticello (6–9, 3–8) in the Six Rivers East.
Things didn’t come easy for either team Thursday night, as both squads ramped up their defensive pressure. A look at their shooting percentages tells you all you need to know.
On the night, the Chieftains made 22 of 59 shot attempts (37.3 percent), and were 0-for-8 from 3-point range. The Cardinals knocked down just 16 of 52 shot attempts (30.8 percent), including 6-of-20 (30 percent) from downtown.
“Good defensive teams don’t let you get good looks,” said coach Mike Uppena. “Neither team was going to give up anything easy in the lane, that’s for sure.
“These guys have bought into the fact that if we’re not shooting the ball well, than we better make sure they’re not either.”
Potosi’s aggressive man-to-man defense made things especially difficult on Highland’s top two scorers, Wesley Kraisinger and Michael Esser.
Kraisinger, who entered the contest averaging 22.4 points per game, was limited to just one field goal on seven attempts, while going 9-of-9 from the free throw line to finish with 11 points.
Esser, who averages 16.2 points per game, was limited to 11 points as well, going 4-of-15 from the field, and 3-for-3 from the line before fouling out late in the contest.
The Cardinals got a team-high 12 points from Jack Tarrell, 11 each from Kraisinger, Esser and Kaden Washa, and eight from John Dreischmeier.
Potosi’s man-to-man defense was anchored by 6’5” senior Oliver Post, who fought through screens all night long, but managed to stay glued to Esser.
“Oliver is a pretty unique individual,” said coach Uppena. “To play good man-to-man as a team, you’ve got to have that cornerstone guy that can shut down anybody, and with him having the length, the quickness and the athleticism, he’s that guy. He’s really delved into that role, and he takes pride in that.”
Thursday night’s game was close throughout the entire first half, with the two teams combining for three ties and two lead changes.
After Potosi had jumped out to a 7–2 lead, Highland responded with a 9–0 scoring run to claim their largest lead of the half at 12–7.
The Chieftains later evened things up at 18–18 before closing out the half on a 7–0 run of their own, holding a 25–18 advantage at the intermission.
Just five minutes into the second half, Potosi had built their lead up to 11, and with 2:49 to play held their largest lead of 54-39.
From there, the Chieftains had to sustain their lead at the free throw line, where they knocked down 11-of-14 attempts in the final three minutes.
Pouring in a game-high 24 points for the Chieftains was senior Aidan Uppena, who went 8-of-18 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. Uppena also pulled down five rebounds and had a team-high four steals.
Post chipped in 13 points, six boards and three assists, while Isaiah Groom added 10 points, eight rebounds and five deflections.
Pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end was Dawson Weber, who finished with six points.
Potosi opened last week with a 77–52 win at Belont (6–10, 6–6 SRW).
Aidan Uppena scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Weber posted a monster double–double of 18 points an 16 rebounds to lead the Chieftains.
Isaiah Groom added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Alex Friederick chipped in a career-high 11 points for the winners.
Following this past Monday night’s 80–75 non-conference overtime victory against visiting Southwestern and Tuesday’s SRW win over Cassville, the Chieftains (15–2, 12–1 SRW) travel to Pecatonica Friday night.
#8 Potosi 65, #3 Highland 56
(from Thursday, Jan. 30 @ Potosi)
Highland.....18 38 — 56
Potosi...........25 40 — 65
Highland (14–2, 12–1) — Michael Esser 11, Bennett Smith 3, Kaden Washa 11, Jack Tarrell 12, John Freischmeier 8, Wesley Kraisinger 11. Totals — 16-52 18-22 56.
Potosi (13–2, 11–1) — Jaxon Oyen 1, Aaron Edge 5, Dawson Weber 6, Oliver Post 13, Isaiah Groom 10, Aidan Uppena 24, Alex Friederick 6. Totals — 22-59 21-30 65.
3-point goals — H: 6-20 (Smith 1, Washa 2, Tarrell 2, Dreischmeier 1); P: 0. Team fouls — H: 23; P: 16. Fouled out — P: Weber.
