The Superior High School boys basketball team wrapped up its trip to the Wausau Tournament Tuesday with a 53-40 loss to Wausau West. The loss is just the second of the season for Superior, following a double-overtime to Wausau East Monday.
"I am sure the night before playing two OTs took more out of us than I would have liked, but our kids played hard," SHS coach Dave Kontny said "Give Wausau West credit though, their style is very patient and they are well disciplined. They do all the little things very well."
When the Spartan boys added Wausau East and Wausau West to its schedule this year, they expected a challenge, and the Wausau teams did not disappoint.
Tuesday West took the early lead with a 13-6 advantage after one quarter. Superior inched closer by halftime, behind by just six point, and then moved in front in the third quarter.
"We trailed midway through the third quarter and then made a nice run to take the lead late in the third," Kontny said. "But we just couldn't get the ball to fall in late in the game."
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West, on the other hand, got scoring when it needed it as Seth McMullen hit three straight 3-point shots late in the third quarter to reclaim the lead.
"We did not answer and that was the difference," Kontny said.
McMullen scored nine of his game-high 18 points in the third quarter. His 3-pointers sparked a 14-2 run for West after Superior scored the first seven points of the third quarter.
Brent Engstrom had 16 points to lead Superior. Garrett Wessberg and Joe Reichert both finished with eight points apiece.
Nathan Piel added 13 points and Jacob Wittman finished with 11 points for the Warriors.
"It was a great tournament for us to go to, as we learned some things we really need to get better at," Kontny said. "We are a good basketball team but that's just not good enough if we want to have a great season. I know it and the kids know it. Our goal is to grow as a team, learn from our mistakes and get better every day in practice.
"I am not disappointed at all with our kids; they gave us everything they had and then some. This is a great bunch of kids that know hard work pays off in the long run, and it starts all over again today at practice."
The Spartans host Hermantown Tuesday and then face Duluth East Thursday, also at home.
