Stifling defense in second half propels Raiders

For a while coach Tim Arndorfer probably wondered if his Wauwatosa East boys basketball team (7-1) would show up against Arrowhead on Dec. 28 following a 66-46 blow-out loss to Germantown in the Wisconsin Yearbook Shootout the night before.

The Warhawks (5-5) came out and ran up a 16-6 first-period lead, and despite Tosa East getting going and playing Arrowhead to a 12-12 tie in the second quarter, they still trailed 28-18 at intermission.

But the Red Raiders showed up and played their usual outstanding defense in the second half and blew away the Warhawks, 30-8, with 15-7 and 15-1 quarters to win going away, 48-36.

"The real story of the second half was our defense," Arndorfer said. "We held Arrowhead to eight total points, one point in the fourth quarter. Zak Sylvester, Anthony Carroll and Nate Moore did a nice job on the defensive glass to limit Arrowhead's opportunities.

"In the second half, we got a nice spark offensively from several guys," Arndorfer said. "Mich Dillon came up with some huge baskets. Vince Cupertino and Bryce Kratzer had some big shots and Diamonte McKinley made some big free throws down the stretch."

There were 16 players who got on the scoreboard, but only Vinnie Cupertino got into double figures with 11 points.

Kratzer scored eight points, while McKinley and Sylvester added seven each.

Rounding out the scoring for the Red Raiders were Moore (five), Dillon (four), Marquise Carter (three) and Anthony (AC) Carroll (three).

"When we are consistent on offense, we are a very hard team to play against because our defense has been incredible all year long."

The Red Raiders get back into Greater Metro Conference play on Friday when they travel to West Allis Hale.

- Tom 'Sky' Skibosh