December 2014

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31
Dec
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Skibba's state title top story in 2014

Multiple state tournament appearances. A handful of conference championships.

And remarkable consistency throughout the athletic department.

It was a sensational year for the sports teams at Middleton High School.

Here’s one person’s opinion of the top sports stories of 2014.

 

1. Sensational Skibba

Lindsey Solberg.

This was Middleton’s list of individual girls golf state champions before 2014.

Then, Loren Skibba went and doubled that total.

Skibba, Middleton’s remarkably gifted junior, gave a memorable performance at this year’s state meet held in mid-October at University Ridge. Skibba conquered the rain, wind and plummeting temperatures and posted a two-day score of 3-over par, 147, which was good for a four-shot win over Homestead’s Anika Hitt.

Wed
31
Dec
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Middleton wins holiday tournament

It appeared to be over.

Their holiday break was set to start. And Middleton’s boys basketball team seemed certain to have its time off spoiled.

The Cardinals trailed Monona Grove, 57-47, with 1:43 left in the championship game of the Middleton Holiday Tournament last Tuesday.

Then, amazingly, Middleton finished the game on a 13-0 run. And the Cardinals stunned the Silver Eagles and notched a 60-57 win.

With several alumni on hand to watch the dramatics, Middleton improved to 6-1 overall and is 3-1 in the Big Eight Conference. The Cardinals then had 12 days off before they travel to Madison Memorial Saturday.

“Any time you make a miraculous comeback everything, or almost everything, has to go right,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said.

And that was certainly the case for the Cardinals.

Wed
31
Dec
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Bergum keys Middleton win

FRANKLIN — There are several things to like about Emily Bergum’s game.

But there’s one reason above any other why Bergum plays a key role for Middleton’s girls basketball team.

“She can really shoot it,” Cardinals head coach Jeff Kind said.

That was certainly evident Tuesday afternoon.

Bergum knocked down consecutive three-point baskets late in the game and powered Middleton to a 59-50 win over Waunakee in the consolation bracket of the Christine Rathke Memorial Tournament held at Franklin High School.

The Cardinals, who dropped their tournament opener to Beaver Dam Monday, improved to 8-1 on the season.

“I like shooting, and when I made those it really boosted our confidence,” Bergum said. “Those were pretty big shots.”

They sure were.

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Murphy, Middleton stun Sun Prairie

SUN PRAIRIE — Sophomore point guard Storm Murphy is listed at 5-foot-9 on Middleton’s boys basketball roster.

But Murphy is proof that good things come in small packages.

Murphy drained three 3-pointers and scored 11 of his team-high 15 points in the second period to help power Middleton to a stunning 74-54 victory over host Sun Prairie in a Big Eight Conference boys basketball game last Friday.

Sun Prairie entered the game ranked No. 9 in Division 1 by wissports.net.
“He’s really deceiving because he’s this tiny little sophomore guard right now,” Middleton coach Kevin Bavery said. “Everybody knows he’s up with us because he can really handle it.

“But Storm has the ability to step back into his three. He’s another one of those kids who lives on the shoot-away gun all summer long. You can’t kick him out of the gym. So we trust him.”

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Dec
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Middleton gets revenge against Sun Prairie

SUN PRAIRIE — The wait was long, painful, infuriating.

By late Thursday night, revenge had been served — somewhat.

Middleton’s girls basketball team toppled host Sun Prairie, 71-59. Nine months earlier, Sun Prairie has stunned Middleton in a WIAA Division 1 regional final.

So for one night, payback was quite enjoyable.

“We were talking about revenge all week,” Middleton senior forward Cole Jordee said. “It’s really nice to get it.”

Middleton improved to 6-0 overall and stayed tied atop the Big Eight Conference with Janesville Craig at 5-0. Sun Prairie slipped to 4-2, 3-2.

Senior guard Elizabeth Norregaard led Middleton with 15 points, while Jordee had a terrific game on both ends, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Bria Lemirande added 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals, and senior sharp-shooter Emily Bergum came off the bench and struck for 11 points, highlighted by three three-pointers.

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Girls basketball team stays perfect

It may still be early, but Middleton’s girls basketball team showed that its full-court press is already in midseason form.

The Cardinals used their vaunted press to open a big first-half lead and pulled away for an 84-40 victory over Madison La Follette in a Big Eight Conference contest last Friday night.

“It puts constant pressure on people, and if you struggle a little bit ball handling, it can snowball on you,” Middleton coach Jeff Kind said.

With the Lancers struggling to get the ball past midcourt against the press, the Cardinals forced 23 turnovers while allowing just 20 field goal attempts en route to a 26-point halftime lead.

“We work on our press a lot,” said Middleton senior forward Cole Jordee. “That’s our main focus on defense. Pressing is our key.”

Middleton, ranked fourth in the latest WisSports.net Division 1 poll, improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. La Follette dropped to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in league.

Tue
16
Dec
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Good times for hockey Cardinals

The WIAA boys state hockey tournament is nearly three months away.

But Middleton made a visit to the host site last Saturday. And the Cardinals are more optimistic than ever they can make a return trip in March.

Middleton edged Brookfield/Catholic Memorial, 4-3, in overtime in a game held at the Alliant Energy Center. Colin Butler notched the game-winner, scoring a shorthanded goal at 3:41 of O.T.

“We were very happy to win in O.T. in that building,” Middleton coach Steffon Walby said. “I think the event was a great success for the boys.”

The win capped another terrific week for the Cardinals.

Middleton also defeated host Sun Prairie, 3-1, last Tuesday. The Cardinals followed that with a 14-1 drubbing of Madison La Follette/East last Thursday, before it won again Saturday.

Mon
15
Dec
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Madison East tops Middleton

This wasn’t the ending anyone wanted.

But the beginning itself has been quite satisfying.

Middleton’s boys basketball team — a unique group carrying 18 players with little to no varsity experience — dropped a 57-56 decision to Madison East last Thursday. But these inexperienced Cardinals, who are also playing a completely new style of basketball, have no complaints about the start of their season.

Middleton fell to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Eight Conference following its loss to East. And you had told Cardinals head coach Kevin Bavery last month he’d open the season 3-1, he’d have signed on the dotted line as fast as possible.

“Absolutely. Absolutely,” Bavery said. “At the same time, we want to maximize every opportunity that’s presented us and I don’t think we did that (Thursday).”

Perhaps.

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