Superior to much for Cards

The Spartans use a big second-half defensive effort to keep Chi-Hi winless for the season.

BY THE CHIPPEWA HERALD

The first win for Chi-Hi's boys basketball team remains elusive. Any good feelings from a first half lead were ousted by Superior in a nonconference Spartans win, 62-48.

The Cardinals were up 24-21 at the half, but Superior ratcheted up its defense in the second half.

"We had a lot of turnovers in the second half and we had 29 for the game," said Chi-Hi coach Luke Madsen. "I'd call them loud turnovers because they were done in the backcourt. They'd have a turnover in the backcourt and make a lay-up or they'd have a turnover in the backcourt and hit a 3-pointer."

Superior employed a full-court press that flustered Chi-Hi all game long. The Cardinals were able to stay in the game in the first half.

"Defensively, we played well in the first half," Madsen said. "We were still committing turnovers, but I thought our defense was keeping us in there."

Madsen said the loss was frustrating, but not as frustrating as when the Cardinals lost a close game to Eau Claire North in North's gym.

"We played well enough in that one to win," he said of the North game. "These losses don't hurt as much because we weren't in the game late."

Josh Prince scored 16 points to lead the Cardinals despite leaving school early Friday with an undisclosed sickness. Dustin Kalien added 12.

"Kalien did a nice job for us," Madsen noted.

The Cardinals have a full week off to work on their offense against a full-court press. Madsen said his team will need it against Wausau West, who entered Friday night unbeaten.

"I think practice time is very important to this team right now," he said. "We have a lot of things to work on. West is a very good team. They are loaded.

"Once people start to find out that we commit 29 to 32 turnovers a game, we're going to see the press more.

"We're going to have plenty of opportunities to play against that."

Superior was led by Dustin Ritchie's 22 points, including five 3-pointers. Three others scored in double figures for the Spartans.