By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

Stratford stays hot

Stratford struggled shooting from the field, but made 21 of 28 free throws and held on to beat Wausau Newman Catholic 53-47 in a Marawood Conference South Division game Jan. 26 at Stratford High School.

The Tigers were 15 of 16 at the line in the first half and took a 35-31 lead into halftime.

Stratford held Newman Catholic to just five made baskets in the second half to hang on for the win.

After starting the season 1-5, Stratford has now won nine of its last 10 games to improve to 10-6 overall and have moved one-half game ahead of Newman Catholic for second place in the Marawood South at 9-3.

Taya Nett made seven of 10 free throws and was one of three Tigers to finish with 10 points, along with Callie Lehman and Kaylee Hollatz. Brenna Ackley added nine points and Chelsey Gliniecki added eight in the balanced scoring effort for Stratford.

Auburndale downs Pittsville

Mackenzie Raab had 16 points and 10 steals to help lift Auburndale to a 60-42 victory over Pittsville in a battle of former Marawood Conference South Division rivals on Jan. 23 at Auburndale High School.

Auburndale raced out to a 34-14 lead by halftime and held on from there, to improve to 10-5 this season.

Hannah Bolder added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Natalie Aue added 10 points for the Apaches.

Columbus falls at Owen-Withee

Owen-Withee stormed back from a two-point halftime deficit to down Marshfield Columbus Catholic 60-50 in a Cloverbelt Conference East Division game Jan. 26 at Owen-Withee High School.

Columbus Catholic led 30-28 at halftime before the Blackhawks came back with a 12-point advantage in the second half to pull out the victory.

Owen-Withee (11-4, 9-3 Cloverbelt East) made 10 3-pointers in the win, including six by Brianna Simington, who finished with a game-high 22 points. Jennifer Wendler added 18 points for the Blackhawks.

Addison Baierl had 15 points for Columbus Catholic (10-6, 7-5 Cloverbelt East).

Spencer drops home game

Greenwood held Spencer to just nine points in the second half to push past the Rockets 53-33 in a Cloverbelt Conference East Division game Jan. 26 at Spencer High School.

Greenwood led 26-24 at halftime before blowing the game open with a dominating defensive effort.

Lexi Baehr scored 20 points to lead the Rockets (2-13, 1-11 Cloverbelt East), with the rest of the team combining to make just 5 of 26 shots from the field.

Kelly Nielsen had 15 points to top Greenwood (4-12, 3-9 Cloverbelt East).