Madison Memorial’s boys basketball program has captured three WIAA Division 1 state titles since 2005.
The Spartans have won or shared 11 straight Big Eight Conference titles. And Memorial has been to the state tournament nine times since 2004.
So beating the mighty Spartans — regardless of the venue — has been a tall task for anyone.
But trips to Madison Memorial’s loud sometimes intimidating gymnasium have been a nightmare for Middleton.
Last Saturday, the Cardinals felt they had their best chance in many years at upending the Spartans in their own gym. Instead, Memorial put on a clinic and routed the Cardinals, 73-46.
Middleton, which fell to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the league, hasn’t won at Memorial since Feb. 3, 2005. John Boyle, who was in attendance last Saturday, was the Cardinals’ coach the last time they won at Memorial.
The Spartans, who have gone through some surprising early-season struggles, improved to 5-5, 3-3.
