Manawa struggles against Marion’s early lead

By Mike Frazier

Dylan Malueg can’t keep Manawa’s Luke Wilz from laying up an easy two points. Holly Neumann Photo

The Manawa boys’ basketball team dropped a 56-50 decision Nov. 26 to Marion in the season opener for both teams.

Manawa trailed throughout the game to overcome Marion’s duo of Tyler Carper and Mitchell Elandt. Elandt scored a game-high 25 points, while Carper added 18 points.

The Mustangs jumped out to 7-0 lead and that lead grew to 14-2 with 13:04 left in the first half. The Mustangs forced 13 first-half turnovers, but the Wolves cut the lead to 22-16 with six minutes remaining in the half.

However, the Mustangs finished the half with a 7-0 run and took a 29-16 lead into the locker room.

The Wolves cut the lead to five points three times in the second half and trailed 40-35 with 10:26 to go. Elandt hit two of his three three-pointers and the Mustangs were back up by 11 with 3:36 left to play. Elandt and Carper finished the final two minutes with six points, including four key free throws.

First-year coach Troy Wiesner was disappointed about the loss, but pleased with his team’s effort.

“We still have things to work on, but also did a lot of things right,” he said.

Luke Wilz and Brandon Radloff led the Wolves with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Manawa hosted Rosholt Dec. 1, will head to Mosinee Friday, Dec. 4, for a nonconference matchup with Wisconsin Valley Lutheran and will open Central Wisconsin-8 Conference play Monday, Dec. 7, at Shiocton.