MKE Bucks Prep Series
Since 1990, the Milwaukee Bucks have hosted a Prep Series where high school teams play a sanctioned game during the afternoon and attend a Bucks game in the evening. Originally, the Series began with just two games. It has since expanded to 16 games with 32 teams.
Brodhead head coach Tommy Meier got wind of the event after talking to New Glarus head coach Travis Sysko. Last season, the Knights played Pardeeville at the Fiserv Forum. After a couple emails back and forth with a Bucks representative, Brodhead’s game against Waterloo was set. The Cardinals also needed to sell $3,000 worth of tickets (roughly 60 tickets) to that night’s game — a mark that the team surpassed easily.
“We sold out twice and had to ask for more tickets,” Meier said. “We have a huge community that supports us. It’s a great program event for us all.”
The game was one that the community, coaches and players alike looked forward to.
“It was a really cool experience,” Brodhead senior Jaxon Dooley said. “When we walked through those doors, everyone’s eyes were glowing. Everyone had a blast.”
To schedule a game at the Fiserv Forum, contact Andrew O’Herron at aoh@bucks.com.
MILWAUKEE — Brodhead overcame a nine-point deficit in the second half to defeat Waterloo 81-70 on Saturday, Dec. 2. On paper, the game looked like any other Division 4 match up — except the two teams played at the Milwaukee Bucks’ Fiserv Forum.
Although the experience was a once-in-a-lifetime, it came with its own challenges. The high school players had to navigate two 3-point lines — NBA and high school — no backdrop and a large stadium with many empty seats.
“It was fun. It was a big venue we weren’t used to playing at,” Brodhead junior Cullen Walker said. “Without a backdrop, it was hard to shoot. It was dead, so we had to create our own energy. Once we got that, it was fun.”
The change in venue seemed to affect Waterloo more than Brodhead, though, as the Cardinals jumped out to an 8-0 lead. Jaxon Dooley completed two 3-point plays at the free-throw line and Walker chipped in the other two points.
Waterloo scored its first points at the 3-minute mark with a free throw from Cameron Tschanz. Theo Schofield grabbed the rebound on Tschanz’s second attempt and put it back for two points. Schofield scored the next seven points for the Pirates, as they closed in 14-10.
At the 10-minute mark, Waterloo took its first lead, 15-14, with an offensive putback. Walker responded just 16 seconds later with a 3-pointer to regain the lead. The two teams traded baskets on the next five possessions before Brodhead briefly pulled away.
Gunner Boegli gave the Cardinals a 24-22 lead with a basket, followed by a fast-break bucket from Walker. Dooley and Sam Searls added two points of their own for a 30-25 lead.
That’s when Brody Riese picked up his third foul, sending Waterloo into bonus with five minutes left in the half. Schofield made both of his free throws then completed a 3-point play at the charity stripe just four seconds later to tie the game at 30.
Although Waterloo reached double bonus with a minute left in the first frame and tied the game once again at 38, Brodhead took a 40-38 advantage into the locker room. Dooley scored with under a minute left before leaving the game due to a bloody nose.
He didn’t start the second half, and the Pirates took advantage of Brodhead missing one of its starters. Tschanz tied the game at 40 with a steal and two points on the offensive end. He added on with an offensive putback to give Waterloo its first lead since 19-17 in the first half.
The Pirates scored another four points at the free-throw line, as the Cardinals picked up two more fouls.
“I sat on the sidelines and watched them get a hot streak going, and I knew I had to get back in there,” Dooley said. “After I scored that first basket in the second half, I knew everyone was going to get rolling and get the train started.”
Dooley returned two minutes into the second frame and drew a foul on Tschanz. Dooley then went to the line, making both free throws for Brodhead’s first points of the fresh half. The Cardinals continued to attack the Pirate defense, drawing three fouls in a span of 31 seconds. Once again, Dooley went 2-for-2 from the charity stripe, cutting Waterloo’s lead to 49-44.
Brodhead hit a speed bump, though, as Searls picked up his fourth and fifth fouls in a single play. Searls fouled Schofield in the act of shooting and got a technical for talking back. Despite the mental mistake, Brodhead quickly regathered.
“We’ve been talking mental toughness since last season,” Meier said. “This year has been a big step forward for us. We’ve been mentally tougher. We have three great leaders on the floor at all times. I think that leadership is what really helps us.”
Walker scored four quick points on an offensive rebound and steal from Boegli. His 3-pointer, which tied the game at 53, forced Waterloo to take a timeout.
“With two buckets in a row, your confidence starts going,” Walker said. “Once I got it, I had a feeling it (the 3-pointer) was going in. We started building from that. There was a lot of momentum and things going our way.”
Dooley drew Schofield’s fourth foul with nine minutes left in the game, sending Waterloo’s leading scorer to the bench. Brodhead took advantage, scoring 13 straight points. Riese scored back-to-back baskets, and Gabe Bockhop went 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Walker sunk another 3-pointer, and Dooley scored through contact. Bockhop finished the run with an assist to Dooley for a 71-61 lead.
With a 10-point lead in hand and five minutes left in the game, Brodhead played conservatively. The Cardinals dribbled around and worked the offense for a wide-open shot. On defense, they limited fouls. The tactic forced Waterloo to foul to gain possession.
Down the stretch, Brodhead went 5-for-6 at the charity stripe to secure the win. The Cardinal bench even got in on the action, as Joey Brown drained a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
Walker finished with a double-double, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Dooley led the offense with 28 points and five assists. Bockhop also finished in double figures with 11 points.
Schofield and Tschanz accounted for 49 of Waterloo’s points.
BRODHEAD 57, TURNER 43
BELOIT — Brodhead’s win at the Fiserv Forum came just 15 hours after its victory over Turner on Friday, Dec. 1. Dooley and Walker led the Cardinals once again, scoring a combined 28 points. Walker led on the boards with nine rebounds. Riese had four steals.
