This story is sponsored by: WDLB-AM 1450 and WOSQ-FM 92.3 radio
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – The Stratford boys basketball team began the postseason with a bang.
The Tigers raced out to a 29-point lead by halftime on their way to a 77-35 blowout of Viroqua in a WIAA Division 3 regional quarterfinal Tuesday night at Stratford High School.
Stratford made quick work of the Blackhawks (3-19), outscoring them 46-17 in the first half.
Twelve different Stratford players scored in the victory. Benjamin Barten scored 11 points, Lance Heidmann and Vaughn Breit each added 10, and Paul Huther and Chandler Schmidt both chipped in nine for the Tigers.
Stratford shot 53 percent from the field (33-for-62) and made five 3-pointers.
Stratford (19-4) will travel to Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau (16-6) for a regional semifinal Friday at 7 p.m. The winner moves will play for a regional championship on Saturday against either Black River Falls over Arcadia.
Tigers 77, Blackhawks 35
Viroqua 17 18 – 35
Stratford 46 31 – 77
VIROQUA (35): Statistics not provided. Record: 3-19.
STRATFORD (77): Chandler Schmidt 3-5 0-0 9, Okley Wrensch 4-9 0-0 8, Teddy Redman 3-5 0-0 6, Hunter Hannan 1-1 1-1 3, Trent Heckel 1-5 0-0 3, Andrew Bargender 0-0 0-0 0, Branden Ackley 2-5 0-0 4, Eli Drexler 0-1 0-0 0, Paul Huther 4-5 1-4 9, Vaughn Breit 5-9 0-1 10, Lance Heidmann 4-6 2-2 10, Benjamin Barten 5-8 1-2 11, Wyatt Curtice 0-1 1-2 1, Brady Bruesewitz 1-1 0-0 3, Sam Schoenfuss 0-0 0-0 0, Erik Oertel 0-0 0-0 0, Dawson Danen 0-1 0-0 0. FG: 33-63. FT: 6-12. 3-pointers; 5-21 (Schmidt 3-4, Bruesewitz 1-1, Heckel 1-5, Drexler 0-1, Redman 0-1, Heidmann 0-2, Wrensch 0-3, Ackley 0-3). Rebounds: 34 (Barten 8). Turnovers: 11. Fouls: 6. Fouled out: none. Record: 19-4.