SPORTSDESK – The annual Auburndale Boys Basketball Holiday tournament wrapped up on December 29, 2017 and the host Apaches were crowned again as champions. The tournament, which also included Weyauwega-Fremont, Loyal and August, began with opening round play on December 28.
Opening round games saw Auburndale move past Loyal and the Augusta Beavers overcame the Weyauwega-Fremont Indians. The consolation game was won by the Loyal Greyhounds as they raced past the Indians, 64-39.
The championship game was an exciting display of basketball by two very similar teams. Both Augusta and Auburndale like to find the 3 point shot and both run a motion style offense that can strike quickly from the outside and the inside. As you would expect in a close game, the two teams went to halftime separated by only 2 points, 24-22. The second half began and looked much like the first with both teams trading baskets often. It wasn’t until 3:29 left in the second half that Augusta was finally able to outshoot the Apaches, aided by a 3 pointer from Beaver, Ryan Gruenewald. With the Beavers out to a five point 52-47 lead, Apache guard Cooper Weinfurtner drove the lane on the next possesion. He was fouled on the play, made the shot and the ensuing free throw. The Apache defense held and immediately got offensive with Weinfurtner drilling a three pointer, that was quickly followed by a Cale Jacoby inside bucket. The 8-0 Auburndale run was the deciding stretch in the game as the Apaches outscored the Beavers 18-4 in the final 3:29.
“They’re (Augusta) really fitting of a championship game, they have some really fine ball players”, said Auburndale coach Chad Weinfurtner. The second half emphasis on getting the ball down low to senior forward, Cale Jacoby, paid off as he scored 15 of his game high 22 in the second half. “I thought he did a nice job of finishing”, said Weinfurtner, “you give kids credit for throwing it in there”. Jacoby was able to overcome constant Beaver double team attempts and get the shot off. “The guards were doing a really nice job of driving to the lane, drawing the defense to them and kicking the ball down to me”, remarked Jacoby.
Auburndale scoring: Cooper Weinfurtner 20, Cale Jacoby 22, Cason Schmutzer 8, Cam Ertl 11, Colton Wright 3, Colten Yeske 1. Augusta scoring: Tanner Alix 16, Andrew Perkovich 14, Carter Jacobs 13, Ryan Gurnewald 8, Preston Waugh 4, Grant Goddell 1.
Up next for Auburndale is a road game at Port Edwards, game scheduled for January 2nd at 7:15pm. Make sure to keep an eye on www.zaleskisports.com for live broadcast schedules of central Wisconsin high school sports. We have a full slate of basketball and wrestling to bring you in 2018.
Author: News Desk
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