MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Dec. 20–27)
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southwestern 56, Potosi 52
By A.J. Gates, Herald Independent / Tri-County Press
Nemitz's Wildcats hold off Uppena's Chieftains
POTOSI – Anytime teams coached by Mike Uppena and Clint Nemitz get together, fans know they’re in for a battle that will last all 36 minutes.
Last Tuesday night’s non-conference contest at Potosi was no different, as the visiting Southwestern Wildcats pulled out a 56–52 victory over the host Chieftains.
With the win, coach Nemitz’ Wildcats improved to 4–2 on the season, while coach Uppena’s Chieftains fell to 3–3 with the loss.
The two teams played nearly even for much of the contest, with Southwestern holding a slim lead at the half of 25–22. Preventing the Wildcats from pulling ahead any further, Potosi stayed within striking distance throughout the entire second half.
At the seven-minute mark, a basket by Potosi’s Sam Udelhofen pulled the Chieftains to within 42–39, but the Wildcats answered with an 8–3 scoring run to take a 50–42 lead on an Anthony Martin layup with 3:12 remaining.
Looking to lift the Chieftains late in the game, Udelhofen knocked down a big 3-pointer from the right corner to pull Potosi within 55–52 with 5.9 seconds to play, but Southwestern’s Justin Reuter split a pair of free throws a second later to account for the final four-point margin.
Leading the Wildcats with 14 points was Reuter, who was 5-of-6 from the floor, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Anthony Martin chipped in 12 points, followed by Landon Rogers with 10.
Pulling down a team-high seven rebounds was Mason Kaiser, while Reuter had a team-high three assists ad Rogers a team-high three steals.
As a team, the Wildcats made 21-of-42 (50%) total shot attempts, including 2-of-12 (16.7%) from long range. They were 12-of-22 (55%) from the free throw line, including 10-of-18 (56%) in the second half.
The Chieftains got a team-high 25 points from Gavin Wunderlin, who was 11-of-26 from the field, including 3-of-9 from 3-point range. Sam Udelhofen chipped in 11 points, followed by Dawson Weber with five.
Dayton Udelhofen pulled down a team-high seven rebounds for the Chieftains, while each Udelhofen dished out three assists.
On the night, coach Uppena’s squad made 22-of-66 (33%) shot attempts, including 4-of-20 (20%) from downtown. They were 4-of-15 (27%) from the charity stripe, and committed six turnovers to 19 for the Wildcats.
Coach Uppena and his Chieftains participated in the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Holiday Boys Basketball Tournament at Lancaster this past Wednesday dropping the opener to Darlington, before rebounding with a 60–39 win over the host Arrows in the consolation game. Potosi will next travel to Albany on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
Southwestern 56, Potosi 52
(from Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Potosi)
Southwestern......25 31 – 56
Potosi....................22 30 – 52
Southwestern - Landon Rogers 10, Mason Kaiser 7, Justin Reuter 14, Jack Runde 2, Everett Droessler 4, Tyler Brotzman 5, Bryce Reese 2, Anthonay Martin 12. Totals - 21-42, 12-22 56.
Potosi - Sam Udelhofen 11, Dawson Weber 5, Logan Kruser 2, Oliver Post 2, Isaiah Groom 2, Aidan Uppena 2, Gavin Wunderlin 25, Ezra Groom 3. Totals - 22-66, 4-15 52.
3-point goals - SW: (2-12) Reuter 1, Brotzman 1; P: (4-20) S. Udelhofen 1, Wunderlin 3. Team fouls - SW 16, P 24. Fouled out - S. Udelhofen (P), D. Udelhofen (P).
