BRODHEAD — Despite a two-point lead at halftime, Brodhead fell to Potosi 70-55 in a nonconference matchup on Thursday, Jan. 25. Although the Chieftains (14-3, 6-1 Six Rivers West) are a Division below the Cardinals (8-7, 5-3 RVC), they are ranked No. 6 with just two losses prior to the game — River Ridge and Darlington.
“They are a solid team,” Brodhead head coach Tommy Meier said of Potosi. “They are going to be a tough out in Division 5 in any playoff matchup.”
Brodhead was without leading scorer Cullen Walker, who was out due to illness. The junior averages 19.6 ppg and is closing in on 1,000 career points. In addition to his offensive contributions, the Cardinals also missed Walker’s leadership.
“He’s the leader on the floor. We go as he goes,” Meier said. “We lose by 15, and he’s averaging 18 to 19 points. Who knows what he could have done tonight. His leadership, what he brings on the floor, an extra body — we definitely missed him.”
The Chieftains jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a mid-range jumper from Aidan Uppena and transition bucket from Isaiah Groom.
Sam Searls, who got the start in place of Walker, put Brodhead on the board with a jumper just over two minutes into the contest. Jaxon Dooley tied the game at four on an inbounds play, and Searls gave Brodhead its first lead with a contested bucket.
“I was looking to be more aggressive than normal,” Searls said. “When I come off the bench, I’m usually playing a role to knock down threes. Tonight, my three ball wasn’t there, so I was looking for more mid-range and layups.”
The Cardinals had opportunities to extend their lead at the free-throw line, but Searls missed the and-one and Nathan Engen went 0-for-2.
Potosi took advantage of Brodhead’s missed chances to tie the game and eventually take an 8-6 lead. The Chieftains extended its 2-3 zone, as Oliver Post stole the ball from Gavin Pinnow and took it back for two. Aaron Edge then intercepted a bounce pass intended for Gabe Bockhop, turning it into two points.
“Missing our point guard, they probably took advantage of that,” Meier said. “We just have to be strong with the basketball and make some ball fakes.”
Brody Riese was able to tie the game at eight, but Potosi regained its lead on the next possession. The Chieftain advantage held for the next five minutes.
With just under seven minutes left in the first half, Dooley tied the game at 17 with a 1-for-2 trip to the line. Gunner Boegli then tipped an side-out pass and took it back for two, giving Brodhead its first lead since 6-4. Searls extended the lead to 21-17 with a jumper at the free-throw line.
For the last four minutes of the frame, though, the two teams exchanged the lead with each possession. Brodhead was able to pull away with perimeter shooting and extra effort on the glass.
Although Dooley had an empty trip at the free-throw line, Engen grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back for two. On the next possession, Bockhop drained a three from the left side. Uppena was able to cut into the deficit, but the Cardinals still went into the locker room with a 32-30 lead.
“We were just trying to stop them on defense and run in transition,” Searls said of the team’s effort leading up to halftime.
To begin the second period, each team made one free throw. A three-point play from Uppena gave Potosi a 34-33 edge. Brodhead was able to briefly regain the lead, as Searls hit Bockhop in stride on his way to the basket for two.
Wunderlin’s 3-pointer off a screen on the next possession gave the Chieftains a lead they didn’t relinquish the rest of the game. Their advantage reached 10 points five minutes later, thanks to a 12-4 run. In that span, Dooley was the only Cardinal to score.
Brodhead was able to get within single digits on a three-point play from Searls, but Potosi dictated the rest of the half. The Chieftains reached bonus with three and a half minutes left in the game and double bonus with just over a minute left.
Potosi’s lead neared but never reached 20 points, as Dooley was able to keep the game from getting out of hand. The senior scored Brodhead’s final 13 points in the last five minutes.
“That’s his (Dooley’s) game,” Meier said. “No matter who’s here with us or who’s playing us, he’s looking to get downhill and get to the rim. He knocked some shots down for us that kept us in the ball game.”
Dooley finished with 24 points, while Engen led on the glass with 12 rebounds. On the other side, Potosi had three players in double figures. Wunderlin led with 19 points, going 4-for-9 beyond the arc.
“He (Wunderlin) is a complete player and the one we were worried about the most,” Meier said. “He’s a great player.”
BRODHEAD 69,
ST. AMBROSE ACADEMY 49
MADISON — The Cardinals rebounded with a nonconference win over the Guardians (3-11) on Friday, Jan. 26.
Walker returned to the lineup, where he and Searls led Brodhead with 18 points each. The pair went 7-for-17 beyond the arc. Dooley also finished in double figures with 14 points. On the boards, Bockhop led with 10 rebounds. He was just one point shy of a double-double. Engen and Dooley also chipped in eight rebounds each.
