Oriole Boys defeat Chequamegon 68 – 59, finish out with 50 – 61 loss at Neillsville

The Oriole varsity boys basketball season, is over, at least for spring 2021. After defeating Chequamegon in the first postseason playoff game 68 – 59, the boys varsity finished out at Neillsville eleven points behind, with hopes for better luck next year. Two varsity players, meanwhile, Anthony Candela and Spencer Booth, finished out their careers as Orioles at Neillsville, after working their way up from below to play varsity ball. Coach Tom Hause shared his thoughts on the outgoing players and the playoff games.

“Spencer Booth and Anthony Candela played in their last game in an Oriole uniform,” Hause said. “We are going to miss those two next season for their effort and basketball skill, but also for their positive attitude, effort, and hustle. They have been great role models for young athletes, showing that the path to varsity play can take 3-4 years of playing C-team and JV to be prepared for varsity basketball. When you keep battling like these two you can be great contributors to the team and valuable in so many ways.” As to the two playoff games, Hause shared what he thought had gone well, and where things got tripped up.

“Against Chequamegon we had 8 different players score and 4 in double figures,” he said. “ Brady (Potaczek), Anthony, and Spencer were able to get open looks and make good post moves throughout the night.” As to the games as a whole, Hause said that ,” we were lead by Carsen Hause with 16 and half…points from the free throw line.” As partial result, “we were able to overcome a first half deficit of 12 and tied it at the half, Hause said.

“The second half we were able to create some separation and hold on for the win. The kids were excited for their first playoff win in 4 years,” he said of the win against Chequamegon. As to the loss at Neillsville, it came down in the end to foul calls.

“Against Neillsville, we were battling foul trouble the whole night. The kids continued to battle but we were facing an eleven point deficit at the end of the first half,” Hause said. Neillsville’s 3-2 zone was very effective and their guards deflected many passes on top.” As to the second half of the Neillsville game, Hause said of the Oriole boys that, “…we did a much better job of getting reversals and post touches, which resulted in five made 3 pointers in the second half. We were able to cut their lead to 3 with 4 minutes to go but 3 straight fouls on the defensive end sent Neillsville to the line and Spencer Booth to the bench with his 5th foul. We battled to the end but Neillsville made their free throws down the stretch when we had to foul to hold on for the win.” As such Neillsville will advanced, while Stanley-Boyd will try again next year–hopefully post-COVID, though nothing is for sure.

Regarding game stats and general play in the two playoff games, the Oriole faceoff with Neillsville saw Lucas Smith score five points, Carsen Hause 16, Cooper Nichols 2, Mike Karlen 6, Brady Potaczek also 6 points, Anthony Candela eight points and Spencer Booth seven points, All told the Orioles scored 23 points in the first period and 27 in the, while the ‘foul trouble’ alluded to by Hause totaled 12 in the first half and 13 in the second, team wide.

Meanwhile and earlier at Chequamegon, the score chart recorded Smith with two points, Hause with 16, Nichols with six, Mike Karlen with 10, Potaczek with 15, Logan Burzynski with two, Anthony Candela with 11, and Spencer Booth with six. All told the Oriole boys scored 32 points in the first half and 36 in the second, leading to a total of 68. As to fouls against Chequamegon, there were just five spread team wide in the first half and ten in the second.

With the Oriole basketball season now over but track and baseball still to come, it should be an interesting spring, come what may. In the meantime, spring break approaches, running this year from March 1 thru March 5.

Season's Outtakes

Mike Karlen

Carsen Hause

Anthony Candela

Landon Karlen

Spencer Booth

Logan Burzynski

All varsity boys basketball photos by Avery Vait.