Game Report: Elkhorn 67, McFarland 53

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>Elkhborn had McFarland playing on its heels from the get go as senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2637168' first='Owen' last='Paddock'] (6-1) buried a couple of three-point baskets to help the host Elks grab a 15-8 lead five minutes into Monday's non-conference outing. Elkhorn never trailed the rest of the way, and its lead grew to as many as 20 points in the second half. Speedy senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2637177' first='Carter' last='Georgalas'] scored 16 of his 17 points in the first half to help Elkhorn take a 40-30 lead at intermission. He then controlled the second half with his ball handling and decision making as Elkhorn improved to 17-6 under coach Eric Larsen. Paddock matched Georgalas for team scoring honors with 17 points of his own while senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2492545' first='Isaiah' last='Lomax'] (6-6) added eight. McFarland battled until the end, but it couldn't get its deficit under 10 points during the final 10 minutes of the game. Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='2140920' first='Garrett' last='Crull'] (6-3) had a strong outing for the Spartans, finishing with 18 points. <br><br><strong>STAR OF THE GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2637177"],"_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-67bd4f8630e62"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Georgalas set the tone early, taking a pass from a teammate just a minute into the game and driving all the way to the hoop and scoring in the land of giants with McFarland's [player_tooltip player_id='2493695' first='Ben' last='Forbes'] (6-9) and [player_tooltip player_id='2140913' first='Eli' last='Krueger'] (6-8) attempting to clog the lane. Georgalas then went to the perimeter and knocked down four triples in the first half. In the second half, Georgalas weaved his around multiple defenders to set up teammates and help Elkhorn control the pace of the game. He finished with 17 points and was the best player on the floor, proving once again that true size is measured in the heart as well as in length.</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":["2637168"],"_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-67bd4f8630ee2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A rock-steady performer for Elkhorn, Paddock used his basketball instincts, his physical strength and his dead-eye shooting stroke from deep to make a huge contribution to the Elks' convincing victory. Paddock finished with 17 points and made five three-point baskets, but he also defended well, used his patience and court vision to pass to open teammates near the basket, and was a calming influence late in the game when McFarland made its final push. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2492545"],"_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-67bd4f8630f2d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perhaps the most improved player in the Elkhorn program over the past four seasons, Lomax battled some early foul trouble but still managed to score eight points on four mid-range jump shots while also battling against Forbes and Krueger in the paint. The UW-Oshkosh recruit possesses good athleticism and some versatility in that he can defend near the hoop while also being able to move his feet well enough to guard on the perimeter. Lomax is a key player on a team that has won 17 games, and his presence on the floor will be vital to the Elks' chances for success in the WIAA playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2140920"],"_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-67bd4f8630f73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crull is one of the better sophomores in Wisconsin, and his showing against Elkhorn did nothing to dispel that notion. The left-handed combination guard with good size got downhill, especially going to his left, throughout the game and finished with a game-high 18 points. He took just one three-point shot in the game and missed, but he's proven in the past he's a capable shooter. Crull figures to get bigger and stronger over the next two seasons and continue to rank among the elite backcourt prospects in the Badger Conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2493695"],"_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-67bd4f8630fb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A diamond in the rough big guy with bounce, length and the ability to run the floor, Forbes' best basketball could certainly be ahead of him as he continues to harness his skills. He finished the game with 15 points, scoring from outside the arc, from the foul line and with his size and verticality in the lane. Forbes has a walkon offer from NCAA Division I South Dakota, but remains open as to where he will play next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>McFarland sits alone in second place in the Badger Small Conference with a 10-3 record, three games behind champion Mount Horeb. The Spartans can improve to 11-3 in league play and 16-8 overall with a win Thursday over Portage. The fifth-seeded Spartans then open WIAA Division 2 play next Friday by traveling to Stoughton, a team McFarland split with during the regular season. <br><br>Elkhorn will finish in third place in the Southern Lakes Conference, win or lose in its regular-season finale Thursday against Wilmot. Should the Elks beat Wilmot, they will take an 18-6 mark into the Division 2 playoffs. The third-seeded Elks host the winner of Delavan-Darien and Milton next Friday evening. Elkhorn beat both teams in non-league games earlier this season. <strong><br><br>BOXSCORE</strong><br><br><strong>McFarland (30-23 = 53)</strong><br>Crull 18, Harrison 10, Krueger 3, Roe 5, Forbes 15, Gauwitz 0, Peil 2, Meinholdt 0, Bosold 0, Lenz 0, Beinborn 0. Three-point field goals: Harrison 2, Krueger 1, Roe 1, Forbes 1. FT: 12-15. Fouled out: None. Record: 15-8.<br><strong>Elkhorn (40-27 = 67)</strong><br>Georgalas 17, L. Paddock 6, E. Palos 5, O. Paddock, 17, Lomax 8, Hanson 3, Krauklis 3, Jordon 6, Kitzmiller 0, Barkes 2, Renteria 0, Eby 0, Morales 0, B. Palos 0. Three-point field goals: O. Paddock 5, Georgalas 4, Hanson 1, Palos 1. FT: 6-10. Fouled out: None. Record: 17-6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->