MUSCODA — Four Darlington players scored in double figures as the Redbirds romped Riverdale, 74-42, on Friday, Dec. 22, to keep pace in the SWAL boys’ basketball standings.
        The Redbirds (5-2 overall) remain in a four-way tie for second-place in the SWAL with Fennimore, Mineral Point and Cuba City at 2-1 in league play behind leader Southwestern (3-0).
    Darlington controlled both ends of the court in the first half against the Chieftains (0-7, 0-3), shooting their way out to a 35-13 halftime lead. In the second half, the Redbirds outscored Riverdale, 39-29, to coast to a 28-point victory.
    Senior Tanner Evenstad scored 12 of his team-high 14 points in the opening half and freshman Carter Lancaster added eight of his 13 points in that half as well to lift the ‘Birds out to a comfortable advantage.
    In the second half, junior Tucker Lange netted eight of his 12 points and junior Stryker Fitzsimons chipped in with eight of his 10 points to keep the hosts at bay.
    Dawson Mueller scored a game-high 15 points and Michael Schaefer added 11 points for the Chieftains.
    At Darlington, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, Platteville’s Donovan Blevins poured in 15 of his game-high 17 points in the second half to guide the visiting Hillmen over the Redbirds, 57-41, in a non-conference clash.
    Blevins had just two points in the opening half, but the Hillmen still managed to take a 23-20 lead over the Redbirds into the intermission.
    The ‘Birds were still within three early in the second half when Blevins and the Hillmen started to pull away. The senior scored 11 points during a 16-4 Platteville run that turned a 29-26 lead into a 45-30 advantage.
    Carter Lancaster answered back with two free throws, a 3-pointer and a 2-point basket to bring Darlington back within nine, however the Hillmen closed the game on a 12-5 to put the ‘Birds away.
    Lancaster finished with 13 points to lead the Redbirds, while senior guard Tony Ruesga netted 11 points.
    Isaiah Oswald added 13 points for Platteville.
    Darlington has challenging non-conference games upcoming against Six Rivers East foes Pecatonica at Blanchardville on Thursday, Jan. 28, and at home against Black Hawk on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
 
Darlington………. 35   39 – 74
Riverdale.……….. 13   29 – 42
    Darlington– Kameron Blosch 2, Tanner Evenstad 14, Trae Schilling 3, Cade Murray 4, Tucker Lange 12, Carter Lancaster 13, Bryce Stone 3, Stryker Fitzsimons 10, Tony Ruesga 3, Brogan Evenstad 2, Andrew Merriam 2, Matthew Douglas 6. Totals – 30  7-11  74.
    Riverdale – Krueger 7, Frazier 5, Schaefer 11, Mueller 15, Sperry 4. Totals – 15  7-11  42.
    3-point goals– D 7 (T. Evenstad 2, Schilling 1, Lange 2, Stone 1, Ruesga 1), R 5 (Krueger 1, Frazier 1, Schaefer 1, Mueller 2). Total fouls– D 15, R 12. Fouled out– R: Sperry.

Platteville……… 23   34 – 57
Darlington..…… 20   21 – 41
   Platteville – Eggers 5, Blevins 17, Rohrbach 8, Oswald 13, White 6, Riley 1, Bartels 3, Heer 4. Totals – 18 17-20  0.
    Darlington– Kameron Blosch 2, Tanner Evenstad 5, Trae Schilling 2, Tucker Lange 2, Carter Lancaster 13, Bailey McGuire 1, Tony Ruesga 11, Brogan Evenstad 2, Matthew Douglas 3. Totals – 12  12-22  41.
   3-point goals– P 4 (Eggers 1, Oswald 1, White 2), D 5 (T. Evenstad 5, Lancaster 1, Ruesga 2, Douglas 1). Total fouls– P 22, D 19. Fouled out– P: Riley, Bartels.