Game Report: Laconia 56, Berlin 54

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>Laconia broke to a 31-22 halftime lead with a spurt near the end of the first half. [player_tooltip player_id='2625871' first='Ethan' last='Pinno'] had a pair of three-point baskets and 12 points in the first half for the Spartans. Laconia then came out firing to start the second half, scoring the first seven points after intermission to take control at 38-22. The lead grew to as many as 18 points before Berlin made a comeback behind the scoring and rebounding of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2387128' first='Hayden' last='Redington']. Missing foul shots and a few turnovers by Laconia also fueled Berlin's surge, and the Indians came within 50-48 with 3:30 left on a three-point basket by [player_tooltip player_id='2913732' first='Carter' last='Hess']. Berlin had two possessions in the final two minutes with a chance to tie, but both three-point attempts were off the mark. Laconia then got a bit more separation on a huge three-point basket from senior Sam Bartz with 1:35 left that gave Laconia a 54-48 lead. Berlin wasn't done yet, though, as the Indians made it 54-52 after a steal and assist from [player_tooltip player_id='2492774' first='Aaron' last='Bartol'], who fed Hess for a layup. Pinno then made two big foul shots before Redington scored the game's final points in the lane. <strong><br><br>STAR OF THE GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2387128"],"_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-67aada05f0474"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Redington's athleticism and physical strength were evident throughout the contest with Laconia, but so, too, was his all-out effort and smooth shooting touch from the outside. Redington scored from three-point range, from mid range and in the paint on the way to scoring a game-high 23 points. He also dove on the floor several times in an attempt to get to a loose ball, and he was absolutely dominant on the glass, snaring 17 rebounds. Redington is having a huge junior season as he is averaging 16.5 ppg and 10.7 rpg for the Indians. Redington also is a stellar football prospect as a tight end and linebacker.</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":["2625871"],"_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-67aada05f04da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pinno was particularly effective in the first half when he scored 12 of his team-best 19 points. But no points were bigger than the two foul shots he made in the final moments of the game. His two foul shots gave Laconia a 56-52 lead before Berlin scored on its final possession. Pinno has good size and strength, and his shooting skill from outside the arc is impressive. Equally important is his ability to handle the ball, play defense in both zone and man-to-man situations, and move the ball while working for a good shot. Pinno is a four-year varsity performer for Laconia who recently surpassed 1,000 career points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561935"],"_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-67aada05f0525"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more athletic backcourt prospects in northeast Wisconsin, Farrell gets to the basket and uses his elevation and strength to finish at the rim. He had 17 points for the Spartans despite missing some of the action due to foul difficulty. Farrell made his 14th three-point shot of the season on 54 attempts, but his bread-and-butter is getting to the hoop. He struggled a bit from the foul line, though, as he made just two-of-six tries. Farrell is averaging 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals for a club that is 16-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2492774"],"_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-67aada05f056a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a night when he surpassed 1,000 career points, Bartol's versatility played a big part in Berlin's rally from an 18-point second-half deficit against Laconia. Bartol was able to guard on the perimeter and his length and size made it tough for opposing guards. He also played a lot of point guard for the Indians in the second half, and he made good decisions with the ball. He had 13 points, five rebounds and six assists in the two-point loss. In addition, he kept playing with energy and purpose even when his club was struggling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>Laconia improved to 16-3 under first-year coach Dylan Wurtz and now turns its attention to some huge upcoming Wisconsin Flyway Conference outings. The Spartans (7-3) trail first-place Saint Mary's Springs (9-1) by two games and second-place Lomira (8-2) by one game heading down the stretch of the regular season. Laconia has games remaining with both teams, hosting Lomira on Thursday before traveling to Fond du Lac to take on Saint Mary's Springs next Friday.<br><br>Berlin fell to 11-7 under coach Jeremy Mercer after dropping its second straight game following four straight victories. The Indians lost to Waupun last week, but prior to that contest, Berlin had defeated Kewaskum, Weyauwega-Fremont, Adams-Friendship and Ripon. Berlin is 4-4 in East Central Conference play heading into its next outing Thursday against Winneconne.<strong><br><br>BOXSCORE<br><br>Berlin (22-32 = 54)</strong><br>Metoxen 3, Hess 7, Bartol 12, Redington 23, Paskey 2, Starks 0, Beulen 6. Three-point field goals: Beulen 2, Redington 2, Bartol 2, Hess 1, Metoxen 1. FT: 6-11. Fouled out: None. Record: 11-7.<br><strong>Laconia (31-25 = 56)</strong><br>Farrell 17, Pinno 19, Bonlender 4, Bartz 6, Blank 5, Gerrits 0, Leonard 3, Rens 2. Three-point field goals: Pinno 3, Bartz 2, Farrell 1, Blank 1, Leonard 1. FT: 6-13. Fouled out: None. Record: 16-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->