Central jumps all over Raiders

It’s hard to win a game when a team only scores three points in the first quarter, which is why La Crosse Central jumped all over the Raiders with a 70-33 win Dec. 2 in Wisconsin Rapids.

After only putting up four shots in the opening period, it might be too simplistic to say Wisconsin Rapids (0-4) was off to a slow start.

“They took advantage of our mistakes and we were hesitant with the ball,” Rapids coach Dan Witter said.

Brady Goska led the Raiders with 10 points and added three rebounds and steals. Zach Bassuener added nine points and three rebounds.

Ten Central players scored, led by Trevor Schultz, who had 15 points including four from behind the 3-point line. Sawyer Smith added 14, while Alex Wuensch scored 13 and Ben Faga had 10.

But Central didn’t win the game on points — it had 10 steals in the opening period, and Central’s 1-3-1 defense forced 25 Rapids turnovers for the game.

“With the kids we have, the 1-3-1 really fits us,” Central coach Todd Fergot said.

With most starters part of the state runner-up football team whose season ended Nov. 18, it was a defensive scheme that the Raiders weren’t ready for, Bassuener said.

“The 1-3-1 — we haven’t really practiced for it. Just one day,” he said. “We knew it was going to be tough because they were athletic and tall.”

After an abysmal first quarter, Goska’s two 3-point shots helped the Raiders score 11 points in the period. Central’s lead, however, grew to 31 points, 45-14.

In the second half, the Raiders did a much better job contesting shots and helping each other on defense, Basseuner said.

“At the half, we were thinking we really needed to pull it together,” said the 6-foot junior. “No one got down on each other.”

Only counting the second half, Central (2-0) beat the Raiders, 25-19.

The Raiders are still getting used to playing together, Witter said.

“This is our fifth practice with everyone together,” he said.

Facing a talented Central team was a learning experience for the Raiders, Witter said.

“We cannot duplicate what they can do in the game,” he said. “We have seven days of practice before our next game so the strides we make next week are important.”

Notes: The best shot of the game came from Travis Weiler, who hit -3-out-4 shots, including one from half-court to win an iPod as part of the game’s halftime fun. Weiler launched the half-court shot then, after it bounced off the backboard into the net, went running with his hands in the air like Jim Valvano winning the NCAA basketball national championship. He hugged his friends on one side of the court before running to the other to find more people to hug.