Mondovi boys battle tough competition at holiday tournament

by Maria Jans, student writer

The Mondovi boys faced off with some very tough competition last week as they traveled to Aquinas for the annual holiday tournament.

On Monday, Dec. 28, the Buffaloes went up against the Xavier Hawks. The Hawks outscored the Buffaloes by over 40 points, leading to a final score of 87-40, and had an impressive overall rebound total of 44 compared to Mondovi’s 18.

Greg Poeschel had 12 of Mondovi’s 40. Sam Burkart scored 25 of the Hawk’s 87. Branden Becker had the high of four rebounds for the Buffaloes, but was surpassed for the game-high by the Hawks’ Nate DeYoung, who had 10.

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, Mondovi took on a former Dunn-St. Croix opponent in Saint Croix Central. The Panthers outscored the Buffaloes 35 to 26 in the first half. Though the Buffaloes were able to top St. Croix Central’s 26 with their 30 in the second half, it wasn’t enough to win the game. The final score was 61-56, Saint Croix Central.

The Buffaloes’ lead scorer was Blake Purdy with 16 points while Becker had an impressive 12 rebounds.

The boys faced Ellsworth on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at home. On Friday, Jan. 8, the Buffaloes will travel to Glenwood City to take on the Hilltoppers.