Cranberry Classic: Port Edwards, Columbus Catholic log wins

KEYS TO THE GAMES Port Edwards made 11 three-point shots and got 30 points from senior Brayden Beck (5-11) to pull away from a 27-21 halftime lead and notch a 59-40 victory over Nekoosa. Backcourt teammate Max Michels (5-8) added 14 points and four three-pointers for the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, Nekoosa had a decided size advantage, but the Papermakers made just 10 of 27 tries from the foul line. In the nightcap of the 40th annual Cranberry Classic at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids, defending WIAA Division 5 state champion Columbus Catholic improved to 2-0 with a hard-earned 48-44 victory over the host Royals. Sticky defense and timely scoring from [player_tooltip player_id='2509448' first='Ben' last='Weiland'] (12 points) and [player_tooltip player_id='2509449' first='Carter' last='Sommer'] (10 points) paved the way for the Dons. Assumption battled until the end and got 15 points from [player_tooltip player_id='1561916' first='J.T.' last='Schlaefer'] and 13 from Chase Leberg. STARS OF THE GAMES    Beck is a fun player to watch because he's so fundamentally solid. He uses ball fakes to get defenders off balance and then squares up nicely to the basket for mid-range and three-point jump shots. He is smart with the ball in his hands, communicates well on defense and is a true team leader for Port Edwards. Surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career with a three early in the game, Beck finished with five triples and went 11 of 14 from the line, making 10 in a row at one point, on the way to scoring his 30 points.     Konieczny suffered through a difficult shooting night, but he kept at it and didn't let the misfires on offense affect the way he defended. In fact, Konieczny's defense was nothing short of outstanding as he dogged [player_tooltip player_id='1561916' first='J.T.' last='Schlaefer'] of Assumption for much of the game and often pushed him out of his comfort zone with his physicality and relentless ball pressure. Konieczny scored all seven of his points after overtime and hit two clutch triples down the stretch to help the Dons move to 2-0 and gain the finals of the Cranberry Classic for yet another season.    EMERGING PLAYERS    One of the more athletic players in the Cranberry Classic, Kolar is a rangy senior wing who can soar for rebounds or rise up over defenders for short jumpers in the lane. One of the best plays Nekoosa ran during its game with Port Edwards was an out-of-bounds play under its basket that involved a lob to Kolar. He snared the ball out of the air and was able to finish well above everybody else on the court. Kolar finished with nine points, and he appears to have the ability to increase that point total the rest of the way for the Papermakers.     This broad-shouldered young prospect has a very bright future ahead of him as he came off the bench to score 10 big points in a low-scoring, defensive struggled against Assumption. Sommer flashed the ability to score off the bounce from the perimeter, buried a three-point shot, snared some rebounds and also got to the foul line. He played with outstanding poise and can play inside or outside while also defending multiple positions.     A very good team leader already as a junior, Schlaefer was tightly guarded by Columbus Catholic for the entire 36 minutes. The Dons made it tough for Schlaefer to get good looks at the basket, but the quick and athletic junior still managed to score 15 points. Schlaefer has a quick first step with the ball in his hands and is strong enough to finish through contact. He is an unselfish player who did a good job of looking for his teammates while also defending with purpose on the perimeter. Schalefer is a consistent three-point jump shot away from being one of more complete players in central Wisconsin.    THE BIG PICTURE Port Edwards looks again to contend for the title in the Central Wisconsin South along with Almond-Bancroft, Pacelli and Pittsville. Coach Justin Beck has three stellar backcourt performers in Beck, Michels and [player_tooltip player_id='2425152' first='Josh' last='Tranel']. The Blackhawks lack size, but they play at a pace where they can compete, and they can space the floor with shooters. Nekoosa was without four-year varsity performer [player_tooltip player_id='1401389' first='Nash' last='Krcmar'], who is out with an injury. That limited the Papermakers' offensive attack, although Vega and Kolar proved they can get buckets in bunches for coach Josh Kolo's squad. Columbus Catholic lost all five starters from its 29-2 Division 5 state-title team, but coach Joe Konieczny has built one of the better programs in the state, regardless of division, and it showed against Assumption. Young players stepped up with key plays at opportune times to help the Dons run their winning streak to nine games dating back to last season. Senior Sam Dums also played a key role for Columbus Catholic, scoring seven points and grabbing some enormous offensive rebounds down the stretch. Assumption also must feel good about its showing. The Royals competed from the opening seconds until the final horn, and they flashed some awfully good man-to-man defense in their own right. Coach Josh Paltz has a team that will win games in the always-competitive Marawood South, and the Royals will be a tough out in Division 5 once the playoffs get started in March. BOXSCORES Nekoosa (21-19 = 40) F. Krcmar 5, Pasch 3, Newlun 0, Kolar 9, Lochner 7, Alameda 0, Gerzmehle 6, Vega 10, Wilhorn 0. 3FG: Lochner 1, Gerzmehle 1. FT: 10-27. Fouled Out: None. Record: 0-1. Port Edwards (27-32 = 59) Beck 30, Michels 14, Tranel 7, Hanson 0, Andreasen 1, Martinson 0, Domke 7, Grunden 0. 3FG: Beck 5, Michels 4, Domke 1. FT: 12-16. Fouled Out: None. Record: 1-0. Columbus Catholic (16-32 = 48) Konieczny 8, Wallace 6, Edwards 5, Weiland 12, Kohlbeck 0, Hilgemann 0, Dums 7, Sommer 10. 3FG: Weiland 3, Konieczny 2, Edwards 1, Dums 1, Sommer 1. FT: 8-16. Fouled Out: None. Record: 2-0. Assumption (13-31 = 44) Nystrom 7, Hagen 0, Leberg 13, Steinert 0, Schlaefer 15, Oswald 1, Bord 4, France 2, Vruwink 2. 3FG: Nystrom 1, Schlaefer 1. FT: 11-19. Fouled Out: None. Record: 0-1.

KEYS TO THE GAMES

Port Edwards made 11 three-point shots and got 30 points from senior Brayden Beck (5-11) to pull away from a 27-21 halftime lead and notch a 59-40 victory over Nekoosa. Backcourt teammate Max Michels (5-8) added 14 points and four three-pointers for the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, Nekoosa had a decided size advantage, but the Papermakers made just 10 of 27 tries from the foul line.

In the nightcap of the 40th annual Cranberry Classic at Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids, defending WIAA Division 5 state champion Columbus Catholic improved to 2-0 with a hard-earned 48-44 victory over the host Royals. Sticky defense and timely scoring from Ben Weiland Ben Weiland 5'11" | CG Columbus Catholic | 2027 State WI (12 points) and Carter Sommer Carter Sommer 6'5" | SF Columbus Catholic | 2027 State WI (10 points) paved the way for the Dons. Assumption battled until the end and got 15 points from JT Schlaefer JT Schlaefer 6'1" | PG Assumption | 2026 State WI and 13 from Chase Leberg.

STARS OF THE GAMES