This story is sponsored by Norm E Lane Farm
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – The Stratford boys basketball team did what it needed to do Tuesday night to stay in the race for a conference championship.
The Tigers used a 19-4 fourth-quarter run to defeat Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 55-38 on Tuesday at Stratford High School to set up a showdown for the Marawood Conference South Division title Friday against Auburndale.
Stratford improves to 16-3 and 12-1 in the Marawood South, remaining a game behind Auburndale (20-0, 13-0 Marawood South) in the standings. The Tigers host Auburndale on Friday night and with a win would share the conference title, their first since 2006.
Assumption falls to 10-10 and 7-6 in the Marawood South.
Derek Austin scored 19 points, making all six of his free throw attempts, and grabbed six rebounds for Stratford. Troy Mengel added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Travis Urlaub had 10 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers.
Stratford led 36-34 after three quarters before blowing past the Royals with a dominant fourth quarter.
Tigers 55, Royals 38
Assumption 7 13 14 4 – 38
Stratford 13 13 10 19 – 55
ASSUMPTION (38): Casey Steele 0-0 0-0 0, Nick Buntrock 2-11 2-4 6, Josh Paltz 1-9 0-0 2, Jake Paltz 4-5 1-2 9, Chase Lamp 0-5 0-0 3, Zach Linzmeier 5-6 1-4 12, Brad Birkhauser 3-10 0-0 6. FG: 15-46. FT: 4-10. 3-pointers: 1-14 (Linzmeier 1-2, Birkhauser 0-2, Lamp 0-3, Jo. Paltz 0-3, Buntrock 0-4). Rebounds: 21 (Birkhauser 7). Record: 10-10, 7-6 Marawood South.
STRATFORD (55): Greg Belter 2-4 0-0 4, Nolan Bargender 1-3 0-0 2, Ben Kraus 0-3 0-0 0, Derek Austin 6-15 6-6 19, Eli Temanson 2-6 0-0 4, Travis Urlaub 1-3 7-8 10, Troy Mengel 6-8 2-6 14, Andrew Marcis 1-1 0-0 2. FG: 19-43. FT: 15-20. 3-pointers: 2-9 (Austin 1-4, Urlaub 1-1, Temanson 0-1, Kraus 0-3). Rebounds: 33 (Mengel 11). Record: 16-3, 12-1 Marawood South.