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By Levi Zimmerman
The Mineral Point and Dodgeville boys basketball teams continued the shared tradition of playing each other to start each season, as the Pointers played host to the Dodgers Tuesday night in non-conference play.
After an early first-half surge by the visitors from Dodgeville, the Pointers stepped up their play defensively, which turned into a casual momentum swing as the half progressed.
Mineral Point had offensive contributions from six different players, including three, three-point field goals from junior Alex Ross.
Sophomore Eli Lindsey was effective in the mid-range game with two baskets and two free throws.
Junior Brady Radtke added four points in the first half.
Dodgeville was led by 7'1' senior Chandler Batchelor in the first half, as he went for 10 points.
Senior Matthew Pittz had seven points.
Mineral Point took a 25-22 lead into the halftime break.
Although it was just a one-score game halfway through, it was clear that the Pointers took control of the energy, and they carried that energy into the second half, out-scoring Dodgeville 25-12 to grab a 50-34 victory.
Mineral Point made adjustments in the post to deny easy opportunities for Batchelor, and their perimeter defenders got better as the game went on, including junior Brady Radtke and senior Cooper Palzkill.
It was a big win for Mineral Point, not only because it was the season-opener or that it was against Dodgeville, but it was a statement win.
After tasked with replacing all five starters from last season, head coach Dan Burreson felt Tuesday night's win was much needed for the young program.
"It was a good team win, especially on the defensive end," Burreson stated.
"We moved the ball well and looked for each other," he said.
"I thought Brady Radtke and Cooper Palzkill were really good defensively. Alex Ross really got us going on the offensive end," said Burreson.
"Eli Lindsey had a nice all-around game. Landon Thousand did a really nice job at the point. We got really good minutes off the bench from Luke Filardo and Bryce Vamstad," he stated.
Coach Bureson commented on the way his team shares the ball on offense, as they worked through their reads and took what was given to them.
It was just what the doctor ordered for the Pointers, who improve d to 1-0 on the young season.
Comparitively, head coach Matt McGraw and the Dodgers took the short drive down U.S.H 151 dissapointed, as they knew they let one slip away Tuesday.
"It was not the start we had hoped for. We played our staple early and jumped out to a nice lead. After that, too many forces, turnovers and poor decisions," McGraw said.
But, the loss to the Pointers wasn't the end all, be all, and he wanted to make that clear.
McGraw said he feels confident the Dodgers will keep improving and find themselves in good positions.
"We are still learning and will get better from here. One game does not define a season," McGraw said.
SCORE BY HALVES
Dodgeville 22 12 34
Mineral Pt. 25 25 50
BOX SCORE
DODGEVILLE 34: (fg-ft-tp)
M. Pittz 4-1-11, Walker 1-3-5, Keith 2-2-6, Berg 0-0-0, Jabs 0-0-0, N. Pittz 0-0-0, LaMere 0-0-0, Haakenson 0-0-0, Batchelor 6-0-12. Totals-13-6/14-34. Fouls- 16
MINERAL POINT 50:
Kennicker 0-0-0, Ross 4-2-14, Thousand 2-2-6, Vamstad 1-0-2, Lindsey 6-2-17, Filardo 0-0-0, Kisgen 2-1-5, Radtke 2-0-4, Jackson 0-0-0, Palzkill 2-0-5. Totals- 19-7/11-50. Fouls- 16
3-point goals:
DODGERS (2)- M. Pittz 2
POINTERS (5)- Ross 3, Lindsey 1, Palzkill 1