Cardinal boys rout Augusta

by Doug Sands, student writer

The Eleva-Strum boys basketball team soundly crushed the Augusta Beavers in their lone game last week, topping them by a 19-point margin at home on Thursday night, Jan. 22.

The Cards started off with a strong driving offense, building a five-point lead in the first quarter. Augusta stepped up their intensity in the second quarter, trying to cut down their deficit. At the half, the Cards and Beavers were showing the makings of a close game with E-S up by just three points, 22-19.

Though the first half went well for the Cardinals, E-S really caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 21 points while holding Augusta to only four. The Cardinals rode their momentum to victory in the fourth, securing a solid win 50-31.

Leading the scoreboard for the night were Caleub Watkins and Mathew Higley, both with 15 points. Following them came Aspen Ryskoski with seven, Jed Lorenz with six and Hunter Ryskoski with three.

Through last week’s games the Cardinals were 11-2 overall on the season while holding a four game win streak.

The E-S boys faced two big Dairyland Conference games this week, traveling to Melrose-Mindoro on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and prepping to host Blair-Taylor this Friday, Jan. 30.

The Cardinals are also scheduled to travel to Mondovi next week for the teams’ annual non-conference battle, set for Tuesday, Feb. 3.