Wisconsin Dells topples Eagles’ girls

Sauk Prairie girls basketball coach Jacob Breunig likes to schedule high-quality non-conference opponents every season. Breunig believes it helps his Eagles prepare for the grind of the Badger Small Conference and get ready for postseason play, as well. That’s one reason Wisconsin Dells — which hasn’t had a losing season since 2012-’13 — is traditionally on the Eagles’ schedule. Per usual, the teams engaged in another battle on Dec. 3, where host Dells pulled out a hard fought 46-36 win. The Eagles fell to 1-1 overall, while Dells improved to 4-0. “We knew it’d be a tough game against a really solid opponent,” Sauk Prairie coach Jacob Breunig said. “We played really well in the first half to be tied, but gave up a run early in the second and had to be fighting back from there.” Ava Brings led Sauk Prairie with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Gracyn Meyer had nine points and five rebounds, Mallory Hartwig had nine points and five steals, and Macee Gulden had four points. Sauk Prairie also forced 22 Dells turnovers. “Gracyn Meyer had a good game,” Breunig said. “She attacked the rim more than she had, which opens up her game and her teammates. Macee Gulden did some good things in the post early on for us as did Ava Brings.” While the Eagles certainly weren’t happy with the defeat, they knew it could provide some valuable lessons for later in the season. “The Dells taught us some things we need to improve in the future, which is what you want from an early season non-conference game,” Breunig said. “ We need to take care of the ball better.  “We seemed flustered by their intensity.  We need to up ours in practice I guess to be more game-like. We will look to improve next week.” • On deck: Sauk Prairie hosted River Valley Tuesday, then travels to Mount Horeb Friday at 7:15 p.m.