Strong first half lifts Raiders over Norse

The Arcadia boys basketball team came out firing as they took a double-digit lead in the first half and held on for the win over Westby.

The Raiders used a balanced scoring attack as they took a 30-18 lead into halftime and extended it early in the second half, eventually holding on for a 53-46 road win last week Monday.

After a one-win 2019-20 campaign, the Raiders area already at 3-1 this season, including a 2-0 mark in Coulee Conference play. After a non-conference home game against Fall Creek on Monday of this week, Arcadia is slated to host West Salem this Friday.

This coming Tuesday, Arcadia is scheduled to welcome Black River Falls with Onalaska Luther set to come to Arcadia next Friday.

Arcadia 53 Westby 46

Arcadia raced out to an early lead as baskets by Austin Zastrow and Evan Pauly put them ahead 11-4. Westby came back to get within two at 17-15, but that’s when the Raiders made their move to take control.

Chandler Sonsalla increased Arcadia’s lead to five with a three pointer before Zastrow had a three-point play with a basket and a foul, putting Arcadia ahead 23-15. After a Westby basket, Kaden Updike and Zastrow converted consecutive layups, putting the Raiders ahead by 10.

Arcadia took a 12-point lead into halftime at 30-18 and Westby cut it to seven early in the second half, but consecutive three pointers by Sonsalls put the Raiders ahead 36-23.

Consecutive baskets by Carson Pehler, Updike, Pauly and Zastrow put the Raiders in complete control as their lead grew to 44-25.

Westby cut into the lead late, but Arcadia was in control for the rest of the game.

Sonsalla scored 14 to lead Arcadia while both Zastrow and Pauly finished with nine, Updike, seven; Trev Bjroge, six; Lizandro Aguilar and Pehler, three and Richard Gomez, two.