SHS boys hold off Chippewa Falls on Senior Night

The Superior High School boys basketball team celebrated Senior Night with a 61-47 victory over the Chippewa Falls Cardinals Saturday in the SHS gym.

Prior to the game Spartans seniors honored were Zach Colvin, Andy Heytens, Jake Turkowski, Mike LaValley and Jacob Lindberg.

“It was to honor all of them as they have put a lot of time and energy into basketball during the past four years, and their parents, too,” SHS coach Dave Kontny said. “Not many people realize the family commitment there is when their children are playing sports. I am very lucky though, I have been blessed with great kids and great parents, that sure makes my job a lot easier.”

Things look easy for the Spartans Saturday night as they opened up a 21-12 first-quarter lead. But the Cardinals stormed back and outscored Superior 15-8 in the second quarter for a 29-27 lead for the Spartans at the half.

Leading the charge for Chippewa Falls was Tyson Kalien, who scored 17 of his game-high 23 points in the opening half. Eighteen of Kalien’s points came on six 3-point baskets.

“The Kalien kid had a big first half for them, but we made sure he did not have that kind of a second half,” Kontny said. “I thought the adjustments we made at half changing our defense a little made a big difference.

“We got off to a great start both offensively and defensively, but stumbled a bit in the second quarter when we found ourselves in foul trouble. But then we played very solid in the second half on both ends.”

Superior outscored Chippewa Falls 16-11 in the third quarter and 16-9 in the fourth to pull away for the victory.

Rob Kraft led the Spartans with 19 points, which included four 3-pointers. Josh Kimmes added 16 points and Joel Lindberg, Superior’s leading scorer, added 11 points despite being held scoreless in the first half. Superior also got seven points from Heytens, six from Colvin, and two from Turkowski .

“Rob had a nice night for us again, but getting Josh involved more offensively was the difference,” Kontny said. “He’s been playing very well the last couple of games, especially, and we need him to play like that if we are to make any kind of a run into the tournament.

“Andy Heytens also played well for us off the bench like he has all year long and any time we can get seven to 10 points from him offensively, makes us even that harder to guard.”

The Cardinals also got 12 points from Justin Jaquish, six from Mat Leis, four from Alex Ruf, and two from Tyler Kindermann.

SPARTAN SPIN: Superior was 11-of-14 from the free-throw line, compared to just 1-of-3 for the Cardinals. ... Superior was awarded the No. 2 seed in the upcoming WIAA playoffs at Sunday's seeding meeting in Eau Claire. The Spartans will receive a first-round bye and will host the winner of Chippewa Falls and Marshfield on Saturday, March 6.

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