Post Messenger Recorder -

Another chapter in the Highway 69 rivalry between the New Glarus and Belleville boys basketball teams was written on January 15th. The Knights grabbed the lead early on and by halftime were ahead, 40-15.

The Wildcats came out for the second half and put up a good fight, scoring 35 to the 37 points the Knights scored, but it wasn't enough to take the win. The final score was New Glarus 77, Belleville 50.

Jaden Kreklow poured in 27 points for New Glarus, while Mason Martinson and Trevor Gassman each scored 12 points.

Leading Belleville with 14 points was Sawyer Fahey, while Jacob Shrader scored 10 points and Austin Fahey put 8 points on the board.

On January 19th, the Knights hosted Wisconsin Heights. New Glarus had a tough first half and were trailing Wisconsin Heights at halftime, 38-53.

Photo courtesy of Vicky Weiland

Belleville's Jacob Shrader takes a shot over several Knights' players during the game on January 15th. Shrader ended the game with 10 points.

"Wisconsin Heights made 10 out of 11 three-point attempts in the first half to race to a 15-point lead," commented Coach Travis Sysko.

Heights would extend their lead in the second half to as many as 19 points before the Knights made their comeback.

"Mason Martinson made two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to give the Knights their first lead of the game," said Sysko.

Martinson's free throws gave the Knights an 86-84 win. With the win, the Knights are in sole possession of first place in the Capitol South conference.

With 23 points, Jaden Kreklow lead the Knights in scoring. Zach Feller put 21 points on the board, while Trevor Gassman scored 16 points, Mason Martinson scored 12 points and Connor Siegenthaler scored 10 points.

The Knights played at Cuba City on January 21st and will play at Waterloo on January 24th before heading home to face Marshall on January 29th.