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Boys basketball: ‘Tough’ Bobcats subdue Badgers

Hixon, Schuls combine for 68 points

Florence's Riley Hixon (24) drives to the basket on Niagara's Alex Hagerty (11) on Monday in Florence, Wis. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

FLORENCE, Wis. — Florence Coach Bryan Bomberg questioned his team’s toughness heading into Monday’s boys basketball clash with rival Niagara.

He got his answer quickly as the undermanned Bobcats jumped out to a 15-4 lead in the first three minutes and bounced the Badgers 86-67.

“I’ve been trying to challenge the kids from a toughness standpoint,” said Bomberg, who had six players available and five able to run. “I asked them tonight. ‘How tough are you? I said don’t tell me, show me.

“I think they answered it.”

Sophomores Riley Hixon, Kaden Schuls and the Bobcats looked ready for an MMA ring. Hixon scored 36 points and Schuls had 32 to lead the Bobcats. Beaster had 13 points with 15 rebounds. Paul Millan handed out nine assists.

“I haven’t been whupped like that in a long time,” said veteran Niagara Coach Jim Hoogland. “Florence beat us in every facet of the game. I take my hat off to them. They were shorthanded and absolutely wanted it more than we did.”

Florence (7-8), reduced by injuries and illness, hopes to have another player back for Thursday’s game at Goodman-Pembine.

“For the last couple weeks that’s what we’ve had to go with,” Bomberg said of the roster situation.

The Badgers (6-10) trailed 39-27 at halftime in a game with little defense. However, Schuls blocked two shots on one sequence that led to a Bobcat bucket.

Florence halted any Niagara comeback with a 17-8 run for a four-minute stretch of the second half.

“Niagara is scrappy and aggressive, and well coached,” Bomberg said. “It’s always going to be a battle.”

Alex Hagerty’s 29 points and 11 rebounds paced the Badgers. Austin Hagerty and Zak Prideaux each had 10 points. Ben Oratch also grabbed 11 rebounds.

Niagara’s turnover chart recorded 15.

“Had to be in the 30s,” Hoogland said.

Niagara hosts Oneida Nation on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

“They were quicker up and down the court than us,” Hoogland said. “You can’t possibly win any games giving up that many lay-ups. You have to have enough pride in what we’re doing in stopping lay-ups.”

Ethan Sweig scored 11 points and Niagara’s junior varsity nipped Florence 29-28. Braden Boettcher had 10 for the Bobcats.

Florence 39 47 — 86

Niagara 27 40 — 67

FLORENCE (86): Millan 2, Liebergen 1, Schuls 32, Hixon 36, Beaster 13, Browning 2. FT: 18-37. F: 15. 3PT

NIAGARA (67): Oratch 4, Kaldor 7, Alex Hagerty 29, Austin Hagerty 10, Antonissen 1 Tripp 2, DeJardin 2, Hansen 2, Prideaux 10. FT: 5-12. F: 25 (Oratch fouled out). 3PT: Kaldor 1, Alex Hagerty 1. FG: 30-90. Rebounds: 47 (Oratch 11, Alex Hagerty 11).

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