Sports

The mark of all good teams is how they rebound from losses.

Middleton’s boys basketball team has dropped just two games this season, and after both setbacks, the Cardinals bounced back with terrific performances.

The latest came on Jan. 23 when Middleton put four players in double figures and toppled host Sun Prairie West, 85-74.

The Cardinals improved to 11-2 overall and 9-1 in the Big Eight Conference. Middleton, which fell to Madison Memorial three nights earlier, is tied for first place in the league with the Spartans and Verona.

“We had an answer for just about every basket,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “We got good looks, we weren't great but were solid at the free throw line down the stretch, and we took care of the ball and their pressure.”

Middleton had several terrific performances in the win.

The fight and intensity were there from the start.

Unfortunately the shooting wasn’t and it proved costly as Middleton’s boys basketball team dropped a 74-49 decision to rival Madison Memorial in a Big Eight Conference game at Memorial on Jan. 20.

The Cardinals connected on just 6-of-31 (19.4%) first half field goals, fell behind, 32-16, and never recovered.

“I think what we’re doing is right, the how just wasn’t very good,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “We got flustered. It’s the first time we’ve seen a matchup (zone). We haven’t seen hardly any zone out of anybody and we attacked it well early and normally if we get some of those shots, we hit. We didn’t hit and we had some simple things defensively we wanted to do that we just didn’t execute.”

Senior guard Andrew Qastin agreed.

When you have the state’s top boys swimming program, you’re afforded the luxury of resting certain individuals, tinkering with your lineup and allowing many of your athletes the chance to shine.

That’s how Middleton head coach Wes Lagerhausen approached the Cardinals’ triple dual meet with Sun Prairie West and Janesville Craig on Jan. 22.

Middleton — the three-time defending WIAA Division 1 state champs — gave several swimmers the opportunity to excel and many did just that. The Cardinals finished with 82 points, while the Wolves were second with 62 and Craig was third with 26.

The meet had been scheduled for Jan. 23, but was moved up 24 hours in anticipation of the frigid conditions that came the following day.

Middleton wrestlers finished in second place at the 17-team Monroe Invite last Saturday.

Oconomowoc won the team title with 265 points, while the Cardinals were second with 147.5. Belleville/Monticello/New Glarus was third with 144.0, while Dodgeville (139) and Monroe (132.5) rounded out the top five.

Middleton received first place finishes from Sam Zanton at 157 pounds and Reed Falk at 190.  Finn Grauwels added a second place finish at 165.

Here’s how the Cardinals fared at each weight class.

113 — Matthew Francois (0-2) did not place

Champ. Rd of 16: David Arguelles (4-1) Jr., DAR pinned Matthew Francois (10-14) Fr., MIDD, 1:14.

Cons. Quarters: Nester Chagoya (7-12) Sr., MONR pinned Matthew Francois (10-14) Fr., MIDD, 2:01.

132 — Adler Plamann (2-2) placed sixth

Quarters: Mason Lease (14-13) Fr., OCON def. Adler Plamann (18-17) Jr., MIDD, 12-3.

Middleton’s hockey team edged Janesville, 3-2, on Jan. 22.

Patrick Passini scored the game-winning goal at the 12:51 mark of the third period.

The Cardinals improved to 5-2 in the Big Eight Conference and are 5-10-1 overall.

Everett Lamp gave Middleton a 1-0 lead 31 seconds into the second period on assists from Christian Schuster and Christopher Kiehl. Janesville then scored the next two goals and took a 2-1 lead midway through the third period.

Middleton’s Luke Strasia then scored at the 10:59 mark of the third period on an assist from Foster Wholers to tie the game, 2-2. Passini then had a shorthanded goal on an assist from Schuster that proved to be the game-winner.

Middleton goalie Caiden Fletcher had 20 saves and picked up the win.

The Cardinals also held a 44-22 edge in shots on goal.

• On deck: Middleton hosted University School of Milwaukee on Tuesday, then hosts Madison West Thursday at 7:45 p.m.

Middleton’s girls gymnastics team had another terrific week.

The Cardinals defeated Madison Memorial, 134.025-130.10 on Jan. 22. Middleton then won the Southwestern Invitational on Jan. 24.

In the Cardinals’ win over Memorial, Middleton’s Aspen Goth won the all-around title with a 35.950, while Abby Arnold was third (32.275).

Goth was first on the vault with a 9.20, while Arnold was fourth with an 8.150. Izzy Bradford added an 8.150 and Reagan Holzheimer had an 8.10.

Goth was also first on the uneven bars with a 9.025, while Arnold was third (8.075). Middleton also counted an 8.0 from Aubrey Halverson and a 7.80 from Lauren Devine.

Eva Szczepanski led Middleton with a second place finish on the balance beam with an 8.475, while Goth was third at 8.425. Ana Bollig added an 8.175 and Arnold had a 7.450.

Sure, it’s always nice to roll past an opponent for an easy victory.

But it’s the close ones that are remembered most and Middleton’s boys basketball team won’t soon forget its heart stopping 72-70 overtime victory over Big Eight Conference rival Verona in front of a packed Verona fieldhouse on Jan. 13.

In a showdown between conference unbeatens, the game became an instant classic as both teams battled back and forth throughout in a contest that wasn’t decided until the final buzzer.

“Sometimes you see some of the scores around the league, around the state and you see a 90-45 or something like that. We would much rather play in a game like this,” said Middleton coach Kevin Bavery. “Of course you want to win, but I’d rather play in a game like this and lose.

“It’s okay to have a mismatch once in a while and get that kind of game where you can involve a lot more guys but it really is about having a packed gym and having it come down to the last shot.”

Cormac Carlson might be best known as one of the top soccer players in the Class of 2028. But the Middleton sophomore guard is making a name for himself on the basketball court, as well.

Carlson made two free throws with XXX seconds left Saturday lifting the Cardinals to a thrilling 84-82 win over Madison West in the final game of the Big Eight Conference MLK Event held at Madison La Follette High School.

Middleton improved to 10-1 overall and stayed atop the Big Eight standings with an 8-0 mark. West fell to 5-7, 2-6.

“West had just beaten Kimberly and Waunakee, and we knew they had quality personnel,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “We knew it would be a big challenge as coaches.

“We have to continually get our players to understand how capable so many teams are. We got the win and hopefully learned some things that we can apply going forward.”

Middleton’s girls basketball team won two of three games last week.

The Cardinals defeated Madison East, 77-26, and Madison West, 84-20, in Big Eight Conference games. The Cardinals also fell to Stevens Point, 64-57.

Middleton is now 9-6 overall and 7-4 in the Big Eight.

Here’s a recap of the Cardinals’ three games.

• Stevens Point 64, Middleton 57 — The Cardinals out three players in double figures, but fell short against the visiting Pointers on Jan. 13.
Lucy Drye led Middleton with 14 points, while Hailey Stroede had 12 points and nine rebounds. Brooke Michelotti added 11 points and three rebounds, while Rowan Borne chipped in with eight points.

Anna Reinhard had six points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Hailey Roepsch had five rebounds.

• Middleton 77, Madison East 26 — Ten different Cardinals scored in a comfortable win over the Purgolders on Jan. 14.

Middleton’s wrestlers finished in fourth place at the 15-team Badger Scramble last Saturday.

Kaukauna finished first with 368.5 points, while Marshfield was second with 208. Antioch (Ill.) was third with 187, while Middleton (161) and Kenosha Indian Trail (147) rounded out the top five.

Middleton got championships from Sam Zanton at 157 pounds, Finn Grauwels at 165 and Reed Falk at 190.

Grady Hargrove was third at 138 and Pavil Jones was fourth at 175. Here’s a recap of how the Cardinals performed at each weight class.

113 — Round 1 — Sean Cain (16-16) So., EATR pinned Matthew Francois (9-12) Fr., MIDD, 3:24.

Round 3 - Camden Rugg (35-0) Jr., UNGR pinned Matthew Francois (9-12) Fr., MIDD, 1:29.

Cons. Round 2 - Miguel Potter (4-5) Fr., WHBA pinned Matthew Francois (9-12) Fr., MIDD, 0:59.

Round 3 - Tyler Tuler (6-4) Fr., BRCE def. Matthew Francois (9-12) Fr., MIDD, 15-6.