Off and running

It’s been said first impressions are the often the most lasting. If that’s the case for Sauk Prairie’s boys basketball team, the Eagles could be in for a memorable season. Sauk Prairie defeated Reedsburg, 42-35, in its season-opener on Dec. 8. The Eagles followed that with a thrilling 37-36 victory over Madison Edgewood on Dec. 10. “Very pleased with our effort,” Eagles coach Sean McGann said. “At the end of the day, if our team brings great effort, we will be competitive.  “Are there things we want to improve on? Yes, but we have had nine practices. For us to come away with two wins against some good teams, feels good.” In the Eagles’ win over Reedsburg, senior Brandt Wilson led all scorers with 23 points. Sauk Prairie jumped to a 24-11 lead at halftime and held off the Beavers in the second half. Wilson, a second-team all-Badger North player last season, put an inexperienced team on his back against Reedsburg and led them to an impressive win. “Brandt has blown me away with his leadership,” McGann said. “There are times in practice where he sets the standard even higher than our coaches. He wants perfection. “It’s really easy to challenge my players and hold them accountable when our best player isn’t afraid of being coached. As a player, he’s great and only getting better. However, that leadership piece is extremely important for our entire program to see.” The Eagles then posted a dramatic come-from-behind win over Edgewood. The Crusaders led, 33-25, with just 5 minutes left. But Sauk Prairie closed the game on a 12-3 run — highlighted by a driving basket from Devin Breunig with 20 seconds left that gave the Eagles a 37-36 lead. Edgewood senior Michael Regnier had two three-point attempts in the final seconds, but missed them both. Wilson again led the Eagles with 14 points, while Isaac Breunig had 10. Devin Breunig added seven, though, including the biggest basket of the night. “Devin Breunig just competes,” McGann said. “I’ve mentioned in the last few weeks, but there isn’t a single player on our team who has whined to an official.  “Regardless of the call, our guys just move on and play. Devin demonstrates that more than anyone. He just takes care of business and moves on. He’s a great kid and an incredible competitor in practice.” The teams were tied, 14-14, at halftime. Sauk Prairie struggled on offense for much of the second half and Edgewood built a 33-25 lead with just 5 minutes left. The Eagles began chipping away, though. And when Isaac Breunig drained a three-pointer with 2:50 left, it capped an 8-0 Sauk Prairie run and tied the game, 33-33. Edgewood reclaimed a 36-33 lead after a three-pointer by senior Ben Newton. But Sauk Prairie sophomore Devin Kerska hit a pair of free throws and Breunig won it with his late driving lay-up. “It’s been interesting to hear the narrative from outsiders about our team: ‘Sauk Prairie is a bad offensive team,’ ” McGann said. “We definitely want to improve on the offensive end, and we will. We are getting great looks and our guys are seeing on film, how much better we can get on that end.  “However, the last time I checked, defense is half the game. I would consider myself an extremely nit-picky coach on film, but there were several defensive possessions in our Edgewood game that I would just watch and smile. All five guys in a stance, moving on every pass, and closing out with high hands on the catch. It’s really good stuff.” The first week has featured a lot of good stuff for the Eagles, who hope to keep the good times going. “Our guys are doing a nice job of staying humble,” McGann said. “It’s easy for high school kids to get obsessed about their record, but our mentality needs to continue to be that we practice like a team searching for its first win.  “We haven’t accomplished anything, and have two tough games again this week. We need to build our habits in practice, so that when the game comes, we can shut our brains off and play.” • On deck: The Eagles were at River Valley Tuesday night and host Watertown Friday at 7:15 p.m.   Dec. 10 SAUK PRAIRIE 37,  MADISON EDGEWOOD 36 Edgewood ……… 14  22 — 36 Sauk Prairie ……. 14 23 — 37 MADISON EDGEWOOD (fg ft-fta pts) — Krentz 1 1-2 4; Newton 2 0-0 6; Trudgeon 2 0-0 5; Regnier 3 0-2 7; Klipstine 1 0-1 3; Jimenez 2 0-4 4; Nwankwo 1 1-2 3; Schenk 1 0-0 2; Clark 1 0-0 2. Totals 14 2-11 36. SAUK PRAIRIE — Been 1 0-0 3; I. Breunig 3 2-2 10; E. Breunig 0 0-1 0; Wilson 5 2-3 14; Ahmetaj 0 1-3 1; D. Breunig 3 0-0 7; Drew 0 2-2 2. Totals 12 7-11 37. 3-point goals: ME 6 (Newton 2, Krentz 1, Trudgeon 1, Regnier 1, Klipstine 1); SP 6 (I. Breunig 2, Wilson 2, Been 1, D. Breunig 1). Total fouls: ME 17; SP 16.