December 2013

There was no champagne popped. That’s not Kevin Bavery’s style.

No hugs, kisses, or time for reflection.

No, after Bavery posted his 300^th career win last Tuesday, Middleton’s boys basketball coach returned home. Bavery told his wife, Mary, that the Cardinals’ 58-44 victory over DeForest was No. 300.

And that was that.

“Then I just went downstairs and did stats,” Bavery said.

Bavery may not have taken time to celebrate this milestone. But that doesn't deter from it one bit.

In a sport that takes its toll on coaches — old and young — Bavery is a lifer. And achieving No. 300 is a monumental achievement.

“For me it was just another number,” Bavery said, trying to downplay the accomplishment. “But I guess it represents a few things.

“It validates you a little bit and shows if you hang in there long enough and do enough of the right things, you might win a few games.”

Perhaps these early games were simply the appetizers.

If that’s so, the main course comes Thursday night.

Middleton’s girls basketball team rolled past Madison East, 71-40, last Tuesday, and toppled Madison West, 55-41, last Friday.

The Cardinals improved to 4-0 in the Big Eight Conference and 4-1 overall. Middleton now hosts Verona — which is tied for first in the league at 4-0 — Thursday night at 7:30.

“Verona will be a good measuring stick for us,” Middleton coach Jeff Kind said. “They always play tough defense and take care of the ball and try to control tempo.

“We need to play a sound fundamental game against them and yet try to force the pace. They are long and athletic so we’ll see.”

Kind has certainly liked what he’s seen from his team since a season-opening loss to top-ranked Oak Creek.

Middleton enjoyed an easy win over the Purgolders last Tuesday.

There was adversity everywhere.

Players were out sick. Others going down with injuries.

But Middleton’s hockey team responded well last Tuesday night.

The short-handed Cardinals skated to a 3-3 tie with host Janesville. Middleton is now 3-0-1 in the Big Eight Conference and 4-2-1 overall.

“On the positive side we did a nice job of meeting the challenges thrown in our path,” Middleton co-coach Steve Libert said. “The team has responded in a positive manner in the face of difficult circumstances.

“On the negative side we still show a lack of understanding situations on the ice. Whether it is the time of game, time of shift or other circumstances we do not adjust well.”

Middleton did plenty of adjusting against the Bluebirds.

Eddy Matush scored his first high goal on the second shift of the game, and then on the fifth shift he broke his collarbone. Taylor Dickert was out sick.