Superior comes up short against Chippewa Falls

The Superior High School boys basketball team wrapped up a three-game week with a 60-57 loss to Chippewa Falls Saturday afternoon in the SHS gym.

The Spartans weren’t as fortunate early in the week as well, losing to Duluth East and Grand Rapids.

Nate Kalien led the Cardinals (13-7) with a game-high 30 points, which included six 3-point baskets. Amos Mayberry was the only other Cardinal in double figures with 12 points.

Cody Hunt led the Spartans with 18 points and Erick Tunell had 15.

“It was a great game, our kids really battled,” SHS coach Dave Kontny said. “Kalien hurt us early with his five 3-pointers in the first quarter and some of those were beyond the NBA range. Down by nine going into the second quarter I thought our kids did a nice job of cutting into the lead going in down by only five. Then going into the fourth quarter I knew our kids were focused and even though we played three games in six days, we played with a lot of energy. A bounce here or a basket there, two more free throws or a couple of turnovers less and we win.”

One thing that hurt the Spartans was make just 6-of-14 free throws, compared to 8-of-8 for the Cardinals.

“We can't go 6-of-14 from the line, you have to make your free throws if you expect to win,” Kontny said. “But I am proud of our kids, there are a lot of plays in a game that are the difference between a win and a loss and our kids never quit believing they could win.

“I like where we are, this was a good test for us today. Give Chippewa Falls credit, they’re a good team and they earned the win.”

The Spartans wrap up their regular season at Menomonie on Tuesday and Cloquet on Friday.

SPARTAN SPIN: Superior was given the No. 7 seed in the WIAA playoffs and wll host No. 10 Eau Claire North at 7 p.m. on Feb. 28. The winner will play at No. 2 La Crosse Central on March 2.

Chippewa Falls 20- 15-12-12—60

Superior 11-19-17-10—57

CF: Nigel Bowe 3, Zandy Stowell 2, C.D. Wright 11, Nate Kalien 30, Tel Hepfler 2, Amos Mayberry 12.

3-point baskets: Kalien 6; Bowe 1, Wright 1. Free throws: 8-for-8.

Superior: Ben Erickson 2, Jordan Hughes 2, Nick Melhum 8, Derek Kontny 7, Bryan Sanders 2, Erick Tunell 15, Spencer Urban 3, Cody Hunt 18.

3-point baskets: Tunell 2, Free throws: 6-for-14.

Tags: sports, spartans, basketball, updates