By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Saturday night the Merrill boys basketball team defeated Mosinee by a score of 98-76 to advance to the sectional semi-finals. Mosinee kept the game close through the first half, however an explosion of offense in the second half led the Jays to a 22 point win.
It was a back and forth battle in the first half of play as Mosinee responded to every Merrill score with one of their own. The Jays would create some seperation late in the half and take an eight point lead into the break, leading the Indians 40-32. Michael Casper scored 12 points and Quinn Steckbauer and Kordell Renken eached scored 10 points in the half to lead the Jays.
The second half of play saw Merrill build on to their lead, as they went on a scoring spree, totaling 58 second half points to the Indians’ 44. Steckbauer would score 22 more points in the second half to help Merrill extend their lead. Nate Woller scored 10 second half points, Renken had eight more and Piersen Pyan and Chase Bonnell each scored six.
With this win the Jays move on to the sectional semi-final where they will play New London at Antigo high school at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Merrill tops Medford
On Friday night the Merrill boys basketball team hosted Medford in the regional semi-final. The Jays took only a six point lead into the half, however would outscore the Raiders by 19 points in the second half to take the 70-45 win.
The first half of action was a defensive battle with the Jays leading Medford 28-22. Connor Mootz had six points in the half to lead the Jays. Kordell Renken and Piersen Pyan each scored five points and Quinn Steckbauer, Chase Bonnell and Michael Casper each had four points.
Merrill’s offensive attack is what seperated them in the second half, scoring 42 points to Medford’s 23. Steckbauer would add 15 points to his total, Bonnell scored 12 more and Casper scored another 10. Merrill’s offensive explosion led them to the 70-45 victory.