Game Report: Middleton 72, Verona 70 (OT)

KEYS TO THE GAME What started out as a rugby game on a basketball court turned into one of the more exciting and emotional games of the season. Although the physicality of the Middleton at Verona game lasted pretty much from opening tip until the last shot in overtime, the effort and determination of both teams also was evident throughout. In the end, Middleton hung on for an important 72-70 triumph after a potential game-winning three-point shot from Verona's [player_tooltip player_id='2401404' first='Owen' last='Ayite-Atayi'] rimmed out as time ran out. The Cardinals moved into first place in the Big Eight Conference standings with the triumph while Verona slipped a game behind with one league setback. Middleton's relentless pressure from endline to endline throughout the entire 40 minutes of the contest paid dividends for coach Kevin Bavery's squad, now 9-1 on the campaign. Some key turnovers by Verona helped Middleton maintain a lead for most of the second half and overtime. But credit Verona's never-say-die attitude and the stellar all-around play of Ayite-Atayi for keeping the game in doubt until the very end. Ayite-Atayi finished with a game-high 32 points and he came oh-so-close to netting 35 and delivering a last-second victory to the Wildcats.   STAR OF THE GAME    One of the more improved class of 2026 prospects in the state, Ayite-Atayi was exceptional Tuesday in the loss to Middleton. The bouncy wing scored 32 points, hit two huge three-point shots late and came within an eyelash of swishing a game-winning three-pointer in overtime. The NAIA recruit for Indiana-Purdue-Columbus has been on a tear of late for the Wildcats and his strong play is a major reason Verona is ranked among the top 10 Division 1 teams in the state. Ayite-Atayi is quick off the feet, has a soft shooting touch near the basket and uses his speed, quickness and competitiveness to get around defenders, soar for rebounds and defend with effectiveness.    EMERGING PLAYERS    Part of a tireless backcourt that also includes [player_tooltip player_id='2404962' first='Andrew' last='Qastin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2626535' first='Jackson' last='Guerrero'], Grimes is a steady combination guard with a soft shooting touch, the ability to get to the basket with his speed and a defensive mindset to make things tough on opponents. Grimes finished with 11 points and hit a big three-point shot late in the triumph over Verona. He also split a pair of foul shots to give Middleton a 72-70 lead with under 10 seconds to play. Grimes is averaging 14.6 ppg for Middleton and has 27 three-point baskets in 10 games.     Parks' ability to finish plays near the basket is vitally important for Middleton, making it difficult for the opposition to put too much defensive emphasis on just stopping the Cardinals' stellar guards. Parks had 16 points for Middleton in the win over Verona and his ability to provide a physical defensive presence in the lane on the other end made it tough for Verona to finish in the paint. Parks can attack the basket from the wing or on a dive to the hoop while also having the ability to play and score with his back to the basket.     A smooth wing who launches from deep with confidence, Guerrero will play baseball at the next level for UW-La Crosse. But he also excels on the basketball court, particularly on defense where is he closing in on the school's all-time steals record. Guerrero hit back-to-back deep jump shots late in regulation to give Middleton a 53-47 lead with just six minutes left. He finished the game with a team-best 17 points while also teaming with fellow guards [player_tooltip player_id='2404962' first='Andrew' last='Qastin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1874980' first='John' last='Grimes'] to put extreme defensive pressure on the Verona guards.     With [player_tooltip player_id='2505503' first='Will' last='Stremlow'] sidelined for a few extended periods due to foul issues, Jonjak came off the bench to provide a lift for Verona. The lanky 6-foot-2 wing scored eight points on four baskets for coach Cutrel Robinson's squad. He was a big part of strong bench play for the Wildcats that also included contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='2381701' first='Eli' last='Andres'] (six points) and [player_tooltip player_id='2682935' first='Max' last='Crimmings'] (two points). Jonjak's combination of size and skill figure to be big assets for Verona over the next year and half.    THE BIG PICTURE Middleton took over first place in the Big Eight Conference standings and is the lone unbeaten team in league play at 7-0. The Cardinals, now 9-1 overall, return to league play Saturday with a 7:00 p.m. contest against Madison West at Madison La Follette. Verona slipped to 6-1 in the conference and 8-2 in all games with the emotional loss to Middleton. The Wildcats also play Saturday at Madison La Follette, taking on Janesville Craig at 3:00 p.m. COACH'S COMMENTS From Middleton coach Kevin Bavery: "I think to play the way we play involves a lot of trust between players and coaches. The commitment to be in pressure all the time isn't easy. Some 80 to 90 percent of our practice, even the night before a game, is in transition. We have to give a lot of freedom to our guys and it's high risk/reward, but we wouldn't do it any other way. Verona plays with a lot of similarities so neither team had to worry about pace." BOXSCORE Middleton (27-35-10 = 72) Guerrero 17, Sheehan 10, Qaustin 13, Grimes 11, Parks 16, Passaglia 0, Breunig 3, Russell 0, Carlson 0, Klein 2. Three-point field goals: Guerrero 3, Qaustin 2, Grimes 2, Breunig 1, Sheehan 1. FT: 11-17. Fouled out: None. Record: 9-1. Verona (26-36-8 = 70) Connor 6, Ayite-Atayi 32, Stremlow 9, Jackson 2, Boado 5, Crimmings 2, Andres 6, Phillips 0, Jonjak 8. Three-point field goals: Ayite-Atayi 2, Stremlow 1, Andres 1. FT: 12-15. Fouled out: Stremlow. Record: 8-2.

KEYS TO THE GAME
What started out as a rugby game on a basketball court turned into one of the more exciting and emotional games of the season. Although the physicality of the Middleton at Verona game lasted pretty much from opening tip until the last shot in overtime, the effort and determination of both teams also was evident throughout. In the end, Middleton hung on for an important 72-70 triumph after a potential game-winning three-point shot from Verona's Owen Ayite-Atayi Owen Ayite-Atayi 6'3" | SG Verona | 2026 State WI rimmed out as time ran out. The Cardinals moved into first place in the Big Eight Conference standings with the triumph while Verona slipped a game behind with one league setback. Middleton's relentless pressure from endline to endline throughout the entire 40 minutes of the contest paid dividends for coach Kevin Bavery's squad, now 9-1 on the campaign. Some key turnovers by Verona helped Middleton maintain a lead for most of the second half and overtime. But credit Verona's never-say-die attitude and the stellar all-around play of Ayite-Atayi for keeping the game in doubt until the very end. Ayite-Atayi finished with a game-high 32 points and he came oh-so-close to netting 35 and delivering a last-second victory to the Wildcats.