Raiders win two of three
Trev Bjorge of Arcadia released a shot in the paint during their game against Sparta on Friday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
The Arcadia boys basketball team won two games and nearly took a third last week.
The Raiders had just two wins on the season entering last week, but matched that with wins over Osseo-Fairchild and Viroqua on Monday and Thursday. They had a lead against Sparta in the second half on Friday, but the Spartans came back and won as a late Arcadia shot was off the mark.
Arcadia was 4-12 at the start of this week with a 2-5 mark in Coulee Conference play. They hosted Eau Claire Regis on Tuesday of this week and will welcome Black River Falls on Friday. This coming Monday the Raiders head to Westby before going to Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau next Thursday.
Arcadia 61 O-F 55
The Raiders were able to attack and get to the free-throw line as they took control of the game in the second half.
Arcadia trailed 25-23 at halftime, but had one of their best halves of the season with 38 points.
While Arcadia shot 38.4 percent from the field, they were able to get the ball inside and draw fouls. They connected on 28 of 38 free throws in the game.
Kaden Updike led the team with 17 points while Kevin Cruz had nine and Trev Bjorge scored eight as part of a balanced attack.
Arcadia (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Rotering 1/2-2/2-1-0-4 Boland 2/3-3/5-1-3-7 Baier 0/1-2/2-0-0-2 Bjorge 2/5-4/6-3-2-8 Weltzien 3/6-2/3-7-3-6 Gomez 0/2-5/6-5-1-5 Updike 4/11-6/8-1-3-17 Cruz 2/8-3/4-1-4-9 Braun 1/1-1/2-1-1-3
Arcadia 41 Viroqua 37
Arcadia’s defense kept the Blackhawks grounded for the entire game.
While the Raiders had their own offensive struggles, they were able to keep Viroqua in check. Arcadia led 18-17 at halftime and held on for a four-point win.
The Raiders shot 37 percent from the field and could’ve won by more with more success at the free-throw line where they were eight-for-20.
It was a balanced scoring attack for Arcadia as Kevin Cruz and Richard Gomez both scored nine points to lead the team. Gomez added 11 rebounds.
Arcadia (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Rotering 1/1-0/0-0-1-3 Boland 1/3-0/0-0-2-2 Baier 0/4-3/6-5-2-3 Bjorge 4/7-0/1-5-4-8 Weltzien 0/6-1/2-7-2-1 Gomez 4/7-1/3-11-3-9 Updike 2/5-1/3-3-1-6 Cruz 3/8-2/5-2-2-9
Sparta 63 Arcadia 59
After falling behind by double digits early in the second half, the Raiders had a chance late, but a missed shot helped the Spartans clinch the win.
Arcadia trailed by three with 22 seconds left in the game, but they had the ball and got a good look at a three pointer, but Kaden Updike’s shot from the top of the key bounced off the rim and Sparta got the rebound with 10 seconds left.
The Spartans made free throws to go ahead 62-57. The Raiders made a shot to get within a basket, but there were three second left and Sparta clinched the win with two more free throws.
Arcadia led in the opening minutes, but Sparta took a 27-24 lead into halftime. That lead grew to 10 when the Spartans scored the first seven points of the half.
The Raiders rallied and tied the game at 43 after consecutive baskets by Bjorge. Sparta regained the lead on their next possession, but a three from Updike put Arcadia ahead 46-45. The Arcadia run continued as they went ahead 49-45 after two free throws by Cam Boland.
The Raiders led 53-50 with three minutes left, but Sparta scored seven straight to go ahead 57-53 with about two minutes left in the game.
Sparta led for the rest of the game. Arcadia had a good look with Updike at the top of the key, but the shot was off and the Spartans went on for the win.
Boland led the Raiders with 24 points while Bjorge added 15. Both Connor Weltzien and Updike scored six, Kevin Cruz added five and Devon Baier scored three.
