Iola-Scandy boys still undefeated
By Holly Neumann
The Iola-Scandinavia boys’ basketball team kept its undefeated season intact with two recent Central Wisconsin Conference East Division wins.
The Thunderbirds improved to 9-0 on the season Jan. 9 with a 58-46 win over Bonduel and overcame a 15-point halftime deficit Jan. 7 in a 60-58 victory over Shiocton.
I-S 58, Bonduel 46
Bonduel trailed 27-26 at halftime, but the T-Birds held them to 20 points in the second half.
“Bonduel used a 3-2 zone,” coach Sam Bertsch said. “It pretty much put a guy wherever we wanted to stand.”
The T-Birds made adjustments during halftime and put four players – instead of three – on the perimeter.
“We got better looks this way,” Bertsch said. “We got better ball movement and more scoring in the second half.”
Connor Kurki led the T-Birds with 19 points, while Justin Sivertson added 17.
Bonduel’s Cole Letter led all scorers with 21 points.
“We were coming off of an extremely hard game against Shiocton,” Bertsch said. “This was a tough week mentally and emotionally for us. It wasn’t the prettiest, but to be out of there and get the win, we’re going to take it. We pulled off a good one tonight.”
I-S 70, Shiocton 68
Iola-Scandinavia went into the locker room at halftime trailing 45-30, but outscored the Chiefs 40-23 in the second half.
Sivertson led all scorers with 22 points. Kurki, Parker Prahl and Brye Hardel also finished in double figures with the T-Birds with 17, 14 and 10 points, respectively.
Deven Bedor led Shiocton with 18 points.
Iola-Scandinavia’s four-game home stand will continue Tuesday, Jan. 14, against Brillion. The T-Birds are scheduled to host Crandon Friday, Jan. 17, before the second round of division games begins Tuesday, Jan. 21, against Menominee Indian.