Wildcats click offensively in two wins

Blair-Taylor boys basketball coach Randy Storlie said his team finally put together two good games in a row as they picked up a pair of wins last week. 

The Wildcats had a two-point lead at halftime at Cochrane-Fountain City before breaking the game open for a 15-point win last Friday. They were back in action less than 24 hours later for Saturday afternoon game at home against Brookwood and came away with a 17-point win.

The wins even B-T’s record at 6-6 and they’re 2-3 in Dairyland Conference play, behind Melrose-Mindoro (5-0) and Whitehall (6-0). The Wildcats played at Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Tuesday and will host Gilmanton on Friday. 

B-T 56 C-FC 41

The Wildcats had an early lead then pulled away in the second half.

Storlie said his team led the entire game as it had a two-point advantage at halftime. They stepped up their defense in the second half, holding the Pirates to 18 points.

“The guys really did a good job of handling the ball against their pressure and making plays when we needed to,” Storlie said. 

Sophomore guard Ethan Kniseley led the team with 20 points while Evan Nehring added 18. Michael Waldera and Jaren Swanson both scored six, Tavian Shramek added five and Gabe Armitage scored one. 

B-T 67 Brookwood 50

“Our guys finally put two games together and played well overall,” Storlie said. “I am so proud of their efforts and how hard we played (Saturday).”

The Wildcats put up 30 points in the first half as they took a nine-point advantage into halftime. They continued their efficient offensive effort as they put the game away in the second half.

Nehring led the team with 24 points while Kniseley scored 10; Waldera, nine; Swanson, six; Armitage and Shramek, five; Easton Arneson, four; Jacob Stalheim and CJ Dummer, two.