B-T offense explodes in win over Mel-Min

A 53-point first half put the Blair-Taylor boys basketball team in control as it blew out Melrose-Mindoro, 90-59, on the road last week Tuesday.

The Wildcats finished with five players scoring in double figures as the team moved the ball around and took a 53-27 lead into halftime.

The victory put B-T at 4-1 on the season, with all games coming in Dairyland Conference play, prior to Friday’s home game against DC contender Alma Center Lincoln. Due to an early holiday deadline, the Times went to press before that game was played.

B-T will then break for the holidays with its next game coming at home against Plum City/Elmwood on Jan. 4. 

B-T 90 Mel-Min 59

The Wildcats made 11 three pointers and shot 56 percent from the field in its best performance of the season.

B-T came out on fire with 53 points in the first half to break the game wide open early. 

“We really played well in the first half,” coach Randy Storlie said. “Our ball movement was outstanding and we hit shots.”

The Wildcats maintained control throughout the second half as the team continued to knock down shots, preventing the Mustangs from making the game close.

It was a balanced attack for B-T, led by 20 points from Ethan Kniseley. Both Hunter Wagner and CJ Dummer scored 17, Tavian Shramek put up 14 and Ryna Oldendorf scored 11. Both Oldendorf and Shramek also grabbed 11 rebounds. 

Gavin McRoberts had a game-high 21 for Mel-Min.

B-T (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-points) — Kniseley 7/11-4/5-2-20 A. Thompson 1/3-0/0-0-0-3 Pettis 0/1-0/0-1-0 Johnson 1/1-0/0-0-3 Shramek 6/8-1/2-11-14 Bernadotte 1/2-0/0-2-3 Dummer 6/11-4/4-6-17 Wagner 4/6-6/7-3-17 Oldendorf 5/13-0/2-11-11 B. Thompson 1/1-0/0-1-2