Bulldog Cagers Close Out Regular Season; Prepare For Region Play

The Milbank Area Bulldogs wrapped up its regular season with a 75-45 loss to the Madison Bulldogs Monday, February 22, on the road and fell to 5-15 overall. The Region 1A boys basketball tournament will begin Monday, February 29, in Groton.

Milbank Area trailed 21-8 at the end of the opening quarter and 42-17 at the midway mark. The Dawgs were unable to keep up with the quickness and solid shooting of the Madison Bulldogs.

“We knew going into this game that Madison was really good and they definitely lived up to that billing,” noted Milbank Area head coach Matt Bastian. “They really get up and down the floor and play well together. They got most of their points in transition. When we were able to get back, I thought we played well defensively. Offensively, I thought we moved the ball well and got some big looks. I was really pleased to see Jacob Jackson shoot with confidence heading into the region tournament.”

Jackson set the pace for the locals with 15 points and one rebound. Jonny Ash tallied nine points while Nolan Foss added eight points and two rebounds. Nate Bien chipped in with seven points and two boards, and Matt Lenards had four points and two rebounds on the night.

Also adding to the totals for Milbank Area were James Weber, two points; Isaac Snaza, three rebounds; Derrick Aho, one steal, and Kyle Montag, Caden Bjordahl and Cody Dockter, one rebound each.

Milbank Area went 18 for 45 from the field for 40 percent shooting on the night. The locals finished the game with 24 rebounds, one steal and five turnovers.

Madison made 54 percent of its shots from the field, hitting 34 of 63 attempts, and won the game with 30 rebounds, five steals, one assist, one blocked shot and two turnovers.