Five Takeaways From Appleton East-Stevens Point
Appleton, WI.- Regardless of what sport it is, the playoffs represent a clean slate for every team that is fortunate enough to play in the postseason. The playoffs are all about overcoming the raucous crowds and the angst that comes with…
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Continue ReadingAppleton, WI.- Regardless of what sport it is, the playoffs represent a clean slate for every team that is fortunate enough to play in the postseason. The playoffs are all about overcoming the raucous crowds and the angst that comes with the big stage. Some teams will gel and play their best down the stretch, others will fail to handle the added pressure. One thing is for sure: People will remember you based on your playoff performance. You can bolster your legacy if you play good, but you could also become a distant memory if you don’t. In Friday night’s first-round playoff matchup, Appleton East was able to rise above and blow past Stevens Point. Here are five takeaways from Appleton East’s victory…
The Glory Days Of Stevens Point Are Over
All good things must come to an end. It is finally time to say goodbye to one of the more impressive runs by any Wisconsin sports team. During their ridiculous run, Stevens Point was almost unbeatable. Under Scott Anderson, the Panthers won three straight state titles and were crowed as Wisconsin Valley champions in six consecutive seasons. Throughout their marvelous run, the school produced players like Joey Hauser, Sam Hauser, and Trevor Anderson. After getting blown out by Appleton East in this first-round game, it is no question that this is not the same type of program that it was a couple of years ago.
SPASH’s Tempo Worked Against Them
Deliberately passing the ball around the three-point line can be very effective when a team is looking for open looks. However, Stevens Point found themselves trailing for virtually the whole game. SPASH’s slow pace just allowed Appleton East to extend their already large lead. If the Panthers were able to get in transition a little more and take some quicker shots, this could have been a tighter game.
Appleton East Played As a Team
Regardless of who was playing, the Patriots seemed to be playing as one unit. East’s unselfish play on offense allowed them to get good looks that often resulted in points. On the flip side of the court, Appleton East locked down Stevens Point. The Patriots were also able to create a countless amount of turnovers that led to easy buckets.
Lucas Kotarek’s Energy Was Key
Lucas Kotarek was all over the place. The energy that he delivered at the start of the game enlivened the packed student section and got the crowd on their feet. Kotaret may have only scored six points, but he did many of the thankless things that allowed East to win this game by such a large margin. Kotarek’s sporadic energy will benefit Appleton East if they are able to advance further into this tournament.
Appleton East Has Bracket-Buster Potential
It is possible that Appleton East could lose their next game, but the Patriots seem to be rolling on all cylinders. After embarrassing Stevens Point, Appleton East has won eight out of their last eleven games. #1 seeded Kimberly will not be an easy matchup, but the Patriots have already taken down the Papermakers once this year. If Appleton East plays as good as they did on Friday night, they will be a tough matchup for any team in the D-1 bracket.