Game Report: Berlin vs. Mauston

<p>I was able to witness a South Central Conference matchup on Thursday night between Berlin and Mauston. This game featured two teams with double digit wins just over the halfway point in the season. Here is the report from Thursday night's SCC showdown at Berlin High School.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview</h2>   <p>Berlin started the game on an 18-3 run that forced the Golden Eagles of Mauston to call three of their timeouts very early in this game. Mauston did cut the lead to to 10 in the first half, but could never get the game to single digits after the initial hot start from Berlin. Berlin extended their lead late in the first half and throughout the second half through their tenacious defense and highly efficient shots within their half court offense. Berlin won the matchup 72-46 to score an impressive victory against the conference's 1st place team. </p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Paskey was instrumental in Berlin's success on Thursday night despite not filling up the scoring sheet. The 6-5 senior had 8 points in Thursday night's matchup, but impacted the game the most on the defensive end. Paskey held ultra talented [player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'] from Mauston to 6 points in the first half with his stout on ball defense. Jimmy was always in the right position in the post, tight off screens, and did an excellent job of containing Navis on aggressive takes to the basket. Paskey is an important piece to Berlin's frontcourt averaging 8.6ppg, 7.4rpg, and 2.4apg. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">A standout on the football field, Redington was the best player on the floor on Thursday night. The 6'6 senior is one of the more physical finishers I have seen this season, using his strong frame to bounce off opposing players and scoring at will. Redington had an eye popping 28 points and 11 rebounds despite not attempting a single shot outside of 5 feet. The future Augustana tight end, utilized superb footwork, brunson seals, and ball fakes to score at will on the drive and in the post. The Golden Eagles had zero answer for Redington's dominant physical presence inside. Redington is averaging an unbelievable statline this year putting up 21.7ppg, 14rpg, and 5.3apg. If Berlin can continue their winning ways, Redington has a very strong case to be player of the year in the South Central Conference. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">The Golden Eagles struggled on Thursday night, but Navis still put together a solid all around performance. The #7 ranked player in the 2028 class, Navis finished the game with 18 points scoring in a variety of ways. The 6'7 Sophomore utilized 1-2 pullups, crafty stepthroughs, and aggressive quick step drives to score the basketball on Thursday night. Navis is already racking up the points in his young high school career averaging 22.4ppg, 12.4rpg, and 4.1 apg. Navis has a high ceiling, once he develops the other parts of his game and his overall strength. He is competing with [program_tooltip program_id='2391400' first='Team' last='Herro'] this spring/summer and should continue to develop to be an outstanding high school player for Head Coach Ryan Frye.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Starks was deadly from the perimeter for Berlin on Thursday night. Starks is one of Head Coach Jeremy Mercer's four seniors over the height of 6'4. Starks plays more on the perimeter for Berlin, and was on fire on Thursday night. The 6'6 senior had four threes and set the tone for the Indians in the first half, going 3 of 3 from beyond the arc early in the game. Starks is an improving defender and blocked a few shots on Thursday, including a blocked 3 point attempt. Starks averages 9.0ppg and 4.2 rpg, and brings a consistent perimeter threat for 13-3 Berlin. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaways</h2>   <p>Berlin has won the last 8 out of their 9 games and is red hot in non-conference and conference play. Coach Mercer has built a winning culture in Berlin, making a sectional appearance last year, and now improving to 13-3 on this year's campaign. Berlin runs a traditional swing offense that is centered around dominating teams on the glass, scoring at the rim, and taking great shots from the perimeter. Berlin has a starting five of all seniors and has good scoring power from [player_tooltip player_id='2387128' first='Hayden' last='Redington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2913732' first='Carter' last='Hess']. The Indians are very well connected and have great on the court chemistry through their senior leadership. Things could get interesting for Berlin in the conference if they can beat Adams-Friendship next Friday and if Mauston drops another game in conference. Berlin is in a sectional that features Brillion, Xavier, Little Chute, and Winneconne on their half, however Berlin's strength, size, and athleticism makes them dangerous and very capable of beating these teams down the road in March.</p>   <p>For Mauston, they drop their first game in conference play now sitting at 7-1 in conference and 10-5 overall for the year. [player_tooltip player_id='2369883' first='Jase' last='Navis'] obviously brings some star power for the Golden Eagles, but Mauston has other players that round them out nicely. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2829042' first='Andrew' last='Dillin'] averages 13.6ppg while [player_tooltip player_id='2636712' first='Will' last='Miller'] chips in nearly 12 points per game as well. Coach Ryan Frye employs a euro ball screen and circle motion offense in which they can get easy looks at the rim and open threes. The Golden Eagles are still a very solid basketball team despite Thursday's night lopsided loss.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Box Score</h2>   <p><strong>Berlin 72: </strong>Starks 12, Hess 12, Redington 28, Metoxen 7, Lichtenberg 2, Paskey 8</p>   <p><strong>Mauston 46: </strong>Miller 8, Dillin 10, Ruland 6, Navis 18, Steinke 2, Komiskey 2 </p>

I was able to witness a South Central Conference matchup on Thursday night between Berlin and Mauston. This game featured two teams with double digit wins just over the halfway point in the season. Here is the report from Thursday night's SCC showdown at Berlin High School.