By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

Auburndale takes over first in Marawood South

Auburndale pulled into sole possession of first place in the Marawood Conference South Division with a 56-52 victory at Marathon on Jan. 30.

The two teams were tied for first place in the conference heading in.

The Apaches made 15 of 18 free throws and hit five 3-pointers in the victory.

Cale Jacoby scored 12 points, and Cameron Ertl and Cason Schmutzer each had 10 for Auburndale.

The Apaches beat Rib Lake 61-46 on Feb. 2 to improve to 15-3 overall and 11-2 in the Marawood South.

Jacoby had 17 points and Ertl added 14 for Auburndale.

Columbus routs Granton

Columbus Catholic made quick work of Granton, rolling out to a big halftime lead before finishing off a 78-23 victory on Jan. 30 at Columbus Catholic High School.

The Dons led 59-7 at halftime as they rolled to their 10th-straight Cloverbelt Conference East Division victory and improved to 13-2 overall. Granton is now 0-12 and 0-9 in conference action.

Nick Malovrh had 16 points, Nick Hutchison added 14, and Noah Hansen scored 12 for the Dons.

Stratford wins twice in Marawood

Eleven Stratford players scored – six with seven points or more – as it rolled past Wausau Newman Catholic 70-39 in a Marawood Conference South Division game Jan. 30 at Stratford High School.

Benjamin Barten had 16 points and seven rebounds, and Paul Huther added 10 points for the Tigers.

The Tigers beat Phillips 63-49 on Feb. 2 behind 24 points and 13 rebounds from Vaughn Breit.

Spencer splits pair in Cloverbelt East

Jack Bezlyk scored 21 points to lead three players in double figures as Spencer defeated Gilman 69-55 in a Cloverbelt Conference East Division game Feb. 2 at Spencer High School.

Nate Karau added 16 points, and Austin Bacon made seven of eight free throws and finished with 15 points for the Rockets (7-8, 6-6 Cloverbelt East).

Spencer made 18 of 31 free throws in all and forced 22 turnovers in the victory.

The Rockets lost to Owen-Withee on the road 69-33 on Jan. 30. Karau led the Rockets with 16 points.