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Even with a remarkable 17-0 run to end the game, Ellsworth couldn't catch Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, which opened a 36-26 lead at intermission and then led by as many as 30 points on the way to a 70-57 win Friday in the opening round of the Just A Game Fieldhouse Thanksgiving Classic. 

The Red Raiders made sure it was a successful varsity coaching debut for Jack Smalley by making 16 three-point shots. Those 16 triples came from six different players with Traiden Clary, Brody Gilbertson and Keaton Broeren each connecting four times from distance. 

Crisp ball movement, making the extra pass and the ability to play well in transition were key components for the Red Raiders.

Traiden Clary, 6-2, Sr., G/F, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln
Clary turned in, by far, the best game of his high school career in the Red Raiders' victory over Ellsworth. The 6-foot-2 senior wing, who was a reserve a year ago, scored 20 points and drilled four three-point shots. His ability to knock down shots helped Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln stave off any potential comeback attempts by Ellsworth. He also competed on the glass throughout the contest, an important contribution for an undersized squad. "We are very undersized, but we can space the floor with five shooters at all times," Smalley said. "Our goal is to play strong defense and have all five guys contribute on the glass." 

Sophomore point guard Brody Gilbertson (6-0) made one play after another throughout the contest for Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln. Gilbertson's decision making, passing and ability to score off the dribble and from outside the three-point arc made him a very difficult player for the Panthers to guard. One of the better class of 2026 prospects in central Wisconsin, Gilbertson's physical strength and strong desire to win, along with his impressive basketball skills, make him one of the top guards in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. 

Jordan Szelagowski, 5-11, Jr., G, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln
Whether he was defending with urgency or pushing the ball in transition, Szelagowski's strong floor game proved instrumental in the Red Raiders' victory. The athletic combination guard scored six points, but his rebounding, his ability to get into the lane and his sharp passing skills played bigger roles than his scoring as Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln won its opener for the first time in three seasons. Like Clary, Szelagowski played limited varsity minutes a year ago, but is expected to be a key player all winter during his junior season. 

"During our first couple of weeks of practice, the guys have really grasped what we want to do. The enthusiasm has been high from all of our kids. It carried over into our game today." -- Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln coach Jack Smalley

Ellsworth sophomore George Rohl (6-6) displayed a soft shooting touch from inside and outside en route to scoring a team-best 17 points ... Ellsworth went 5-20 a year ago under coach Derek Staley, but looks to be improved this time around thanks to the experience gained by Rohl, junior Gavin Purhmann (6-4) and senior Parker Woodland (5-9) a year ago ... Still, it's hard to move up in the league standings in a conference as deep and as talented as the Middle Border.

Milwaukee Academy of Science, one of the state's most talented teams, regardless of division, showed right off the bat it is a state-title contender in Division 3 by rattling off 16 of the first 18 points of the contest against Milwaukee Golda Meir.

It only got worse for the Owls from there are Academy of Science led 64-18 at intermission on the way to the season-opening, running-clock  triumph. 

Five players scored in double figures for coach Agape Keys' squad -- junior Jamarion Batemon had 20, junior Agape Keys Jr. had 18, junior Devin Brown added 17, junior Elijah Thornton contributed 16 and junior Mesiyah Ashley added 10.

Talented junior Amare Jackson and gifted sophomore Deuce Burkes sat out the contest, but both are expected to return to the Novas' lineup in the near future.  

Jamarion Batemon, 6-3, Jr., G, Academy of Science
A relentless player on both ends of the floor, Batemon flashed a smooth perimeter jump shot on the way to scoring 20 points. The game seems to come easily at times for Batemon, a truly unselfish player and a demon on defense with his length and quickness, Batemon made the extra pass against Golda Meir, but he also showed off his ability to get to the hoop and knock down three-point shots. He owns NCAA Division I scholarship offers from Bradley, Cal Poly, Grambling State, Illinois, Iowa State, Marquette, Mississippi State and Wake Forest.

Junior Devin Brown came off the bench after battling illness the previous week or so and was his typical productive self despite being winded at times. At 6-foot-7, Brown's ability to facilitate the Academy of Science offense or play along the baseline were impressive traits of his game against Golda Meir. Like Batemon, Brown owns a long list of scholarship offers from NCAA Division I programs, including Bradley, Bryant, Detroit Mercy, Grambling State, Milwaukee, Mississippi State, Valparaiso and Western Illinois.

Agape Keys Jr., 6-2, Jr., G, Academy of Science
NCAA Division I offers have rolled in for Batemon and Brown, but scholarship schools also should take a strong look at Keys as well. A three-year varsity performer, Keys has the size and skill to make an impact at the next level. Known as a very good three-point shooter, Keys had four triples against Golda Meir. The son of the Academy of Science head coach is hearing from Bradley and NCAA Division II Augustana, and his stock figures to soar this winter playing on such a talented team. 

"Our goal this season is to play as a team all year long. We want to make it a five-player show instead of a one- or two-player show." -- Academy of Science coach Agape Keys

Golda Meir competes in the Blue Division of the Milwaukee City Conference ... The Owls went 9-12 a year ago and are battling a few injuries early in the season ... Sophomore guard Kaleb Colbert (5-11) had a strong showing for the Owls with 17 points while small but quick sophomore guard Daniel Spears (5-6) contributed nine points ... Depth could be an issue for coach Emmitt Colbert's squad as just seven players were in uniform for the contest with Academy of Science. 

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