Game Report: Platteville 81, Wisconsin Dells 67

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>Platteville slowly built a double-digit lead in the second half, withstood a couple of runs by host Wisconsin Dells, and then pulled away at the end for an 81-67 victory. Fast forward a couple of months and you'll likely find Platteville on top of the Southwest Wisconsin Conference standings and Wisconsin Dells leading the South Central Conference. Both programs have dominated their respective leagues in recent seasons. But on Thursday, Platteville rode the strong play of senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2390176' first='Lucas' last='Ludlum'], who scored 28 points, and junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2637314' first='Myron' last='Reuter'], who contributed 22. Wisconsin Dells played without injured senior [player_tooltip player_id='2636704' first='Raphael' last='Berje'], a 6-foot-5 forward who is out with an injury sustained during the football season. The Chiefs were led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2636721' first='Brady' last='Young'], who had 23, and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2493653' first='Jaren' last='Ward'], who added 16.<br><br><strong>STAR OF THE GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2390176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67533d161f09a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a somewhat slow start that included a bunch of turnovers, Ludlum got it going in the second half and put on a scoring spree that gave Platteville the separation it needed to put away Wisconsin Dells. An attacking wing prospect with good size and length, Ludlum was nearly impossible to keep out of the lane. Once he saw an opening, he went into attack mode and either scored off the glass or earned trips to the free throw line. Ludlum made all seven of his foul shots and hit consecutive three-point baskets during the midway point of the second half. He finished with 28 points and was efficient in doing so. The returning Player of the Year in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference, Ludlum is receiving recruiting interest from several NCAA Division III programs in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EMERGING PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2637314"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67533d161f0f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A quick guard with good instincts, Reuter got things going early for Platteville as he used his speed and aggressiveness to get to the basket and the foul line. He had 11 points at half and 22 for the game as he continually beat defenders off the dribble en route to scoring in the lane. Reuter was impressive at the line, making 11 of 13 attempts, as he was able to consistently attack in the half court and in transition. Reuter made a big three-point basket during Platteville's second-half run and his 22 points is easily a career best. A reserve a year ago, Reuter has advanced his game at a steady pace over the past 12 months and appears more than ready to take over and succeed as the starting point guard for the Hillmen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2637318"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67533d161f13b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Ludlum and Reuter attacking the lane, Wisconsin Dells defenders had no other course of action than to collapse into the lane. That, of course, left things open on the perimeter for guys like Mumm, sophomore Brody Digman and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2922012' first='Jauron' last='Blevins']. Mumm was especially effective spotting up on the left basebine outside the arc. He drained three triples in the game and his 11 points were huge in Platteville's offensive attack. The 6-foot-2 wing averaged just 3.0 ppg as a junior, but appears to be a double-digit scorer for Platteville this time around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2493653"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67533d161f17f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward shrugged off some first-half foul issues to score the majority of his 16 points in the second half. He was determined to score once he got the ball in the post, and was able to either finish or draw fouls on most occasions. Ward went 8 of 13 from the foul line while also adding four field goals in the paint. His length and activity on defense made things difficult at times for Platteville. Having Ward on the floor is of paramount importance for the Chiefs, particularly with Berje sidelined until January. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2636721"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67533d161f1c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young was Wisconsin Dells' best player in the loss to Platteville, as he did a good job of handling the ball, getting into the lane and scoring. He also knocked down three shots from outside the three-point arc to help the Chiefs remain within striking distance of Platteville. Young's combination of size and skill are impressive as he can play either guard spot while posting up smaller defenders or going outside against taller opponents. He led Wisconsin Dells with 23 points. Young scored a career-best 25 points in the Chiefs' season-opening victory over Portage, and his 23 against Platteville is the second-most points he has scored in a varsity contest. He obviously is off to a terrific start for coach Brad Rohling's squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>Platteville's season-opener included some fouls, turnovers and missed opportunities. That's normal for a first game. It also included some clutch plays from some seniors, particularly Ludlum, Mumm and Eli Langmaier. Reuter appears to have matured and grown a bit from last season and did a splendid job of running the offense for the Hillmen. Platteville won 24 of 28 outings a year ago, but lost four starters to graduation. There might not be much of a dropoff, though, as Ludlum and Reuter lead a talented core that includes newcomers from a 21-1 JV1 squad. <br><br>Wisconsin Dells won its seventh straight South Central crown last winter and finished 20-7. Three starters graduated and Berje was sidelined last night. That left it up to Ward, Young and Co. to make things competitive against Platteville and they did accomplish that goal. Still, the Chiefs will be much better once Berje returns, and the growth of players like Carter Syverson (nine points vs. Platteville), Isaiah Hanna-FUnm,aker (7 points) and Zion Alwin (four points) will be key as the season progresses.<strong><br><br>BOXSCORE</strong><br><br><strong>Platteville (38-43 = 81)</strong><br>Reuter 22, Blevins 2, Ludlum 28, N. Mumm 11, Langmeier 10, Digman 6, Vorwald 0, Day 0, ZIelinski 2, Day 0. Three-point goals: Ludlum 3, N. Mumm 3, Digman 2, Reuter 1. FT: 20-22. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-0.<br><strong>Wisconsin Dells (37-30 = 67)</strong><br>Ward 16, Syverson 9, Gall 0, Hanna-Funmaker 7, Young 23, Martinez 7, Whitehurst 1, Alwin 4. Three-point goals: Young 3, Marintez 1. FT: 15-30. Fouled out: None. Record: 1-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->