Cardinal boys suffer season-ending loss to Lakeside Lutheran

By Derek Hoesly

Correspondent

LAKE MILLS — The eleven-seed Brodhead Cardinals ran into a buzz saw as six-seed Lakeside Lutheran beat Brodhead 96-54 in a WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal matchup last Tuesday.

The opening three minutes were a seesaw battle. Senior Ned Slocum found sophomore Justice Tway, who converted inside off a slip cut to tie the game at five.

Over the next four minutes, Lakeside Lutheran went on a key 12-0 run to go up 17-5 and take control of the game. During the run, Cameron Kuepers got out for a transition lay in to fuel the run. Mason DeNoyer, who had a big game, had a conventional three-point play. Austin DeNoyer buried a three off a baseline drive kick out by brother Mason DeNoyer.

Sophomore Parker Johnson drilled a trey to slice the deficit to 20-10 midway through the half.

Mason DeNoyer answered with two straight baskets with a putback and an uncontested drive to the rim to put the Warriors up 24-10. Mason DeNoyer had a game-high 27 points. He displayed outstanding court vision with several assists that set up teammates with open looks.

Brodhead and Lakeside Lutheran traded baskets over the next stretch.

“He’s (Mason DeNoyer) a great player,” Slocum said. “Next year, he’s going to UW-La Crosse. He got some great looks for himself and his teammates. He’s a really good player.”

Late in the half, Lakeside Lutheran exploded for another 12-0 run to go up 40-16. Mason DeNoyer opened the run with a putback and capitalized on a Cardinal turnover with a fast break layup. Cade Olszewski capped the burst with an uncontested lay in off an excellent find by Mason DeNoyer.

Junior Tyler Flannery slashed to the rim for a bucket, and Tway connected on a three off a solid offensive possession to make the score 42-23. Lakeside Lutheran took a commanding 47-26 lead at intermission.

Slocum got to the basket for a conversion early in the second half. The Warriors made it difficult for the Cardinals to get consistent looks at the rim. Lakeside Lutheran blocked and altered several shots. Senior Josh Pickel buried a step back jumper at the free throw line to make the score 49-30. A couple possessions later, Tway converted down low and went to the charity stripe to finish the three-point play.

The Warriors went on a 7-0 run to go up 59-33 early in the second half. Mason DeNoyer continued to do major damage as he got to the rim with no resistance. Austin DeNoyer dialed up a trey.

Brodhead knew they had to limit the Warrior penetration, but that didn’t happen as Lakeside Lutheran got several uncontested   baskets at the rim.

“We talked about trying to keep them out of the paint and we just didn’t do good job of it,” coach Nick Jarvis said.

The Cardinals knocked down three straight triples to make the score 65-42. Sophomore Brekan Day, Pickel and Johnson each found the bottom of the net from long distance.

Day led the Cardinal offensive attack with 14 points, including two three-pointers. Tway added 13 points with eight coming in the opening half. In his final high school basketball game, Slocum chipped in eight points for the Cardinals.

“Day and Tway were both aggressive and that’s good to see out of young kids,” Jarvis said.

The Cardinals lose four seniors including Pickel, Slocum, Robbie Price and David McGuire. This group of seniors has helped to turn the basketball program around.

The Cardinals finished the year at 8-15 overall and 5-11 in Rock Valley play, which was a one game improvement from a year ago. Brodhead also played several tight contests including four overtime games.

“We talked about how they helped shape a great culture in our locker room in terms of coming to work ever day and being unselfish guys,” Jarvis said. “They really kept an even keel throughout the season when things were bad and really good. They were very levelheaded, and I think that was part of our success.”

“This year has been really fun,” Slocum said. “I love playing basketball with these guys. I wouldn’t trade the senior class for anybody else. I’ve been playing with these guys since fourth grade. It’s been unbelievable.”

Slocum, who had a stellar career, battled his way back from a shoulder injury early in the year. He returned on Senior Night.

Pickel provided pivotal leadership and did all the little things for this year’s young squad. That leadership will be missed.

“You can’t replace either one of those kids,” Jarvis said. “Ned, in terms of his physical abilities and his leadership, and everything that he brings to the table — he’s just a phenomenal basketball player and has been for four years. Josh is one of those guys that is very underrated. You never see Josh Pickel not going to work and not trying to do things right every day.”

“My four years have been unlike anything else at Brodhead,” Slocum said. “It’s been amazing — all the support that we’ve gotten from the fans and the coaches.”

The Cardinals will return several players next year who got valuable varsity experience as underclassmen. Tway, Johnson, Flannery and Day will lead the bright future for the basketball program.

Overall, Jarvis believes that this year was a step in the right direction. Slocum also believes that the program is headed down the right path.

“I think the one thing that is tough is that we had been taking steps forward all year,” Jarvis said. “I felt like, in general, we took a step back tonight. Like I said, I don’t know what’s harder: the fact that it’s over or the way that it ended.”

“This was the most wins that we’ve ever had in my four years,” Slocum said, “and we were a really young team   this year. So I think we’re definitely headed in the right direction. You’ll continue to see more and more success from the boys’ basketball program.”

Slocum’s message to the underclassmen is, “All of them worked really hard, so just keep working hard, and enjoy the moment while it lasts.”

The Cardinals finished the year at 8-15 overall and 5-11 in Rock Valley play, which was a one game improvement from a year ago.

Mandy Fields photos

Four seniors end their high school basketball careers. Pictured left to right are David McGuire, Ned Slocum, Josh Pickel, and Robbie Price.

Josh Pickel drives to the lane.

Tyler Flannery battles his way under the hoop.

Justice Tway is able to get through traffic for two.