Kale Rodgers explodes for 33 against Kenosha Bradford
By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The Lake Geneva Badger boys basketball team got its third win of the season Jan. 18 at home against Waterford 59-46. The Badgers controlled most of the way and led by as many as 20 points.
The game was close over the first four to five minutes with six lead changes. Waterford held its last lead at 15-14. Two free throws by Christian Johnston gave the Badgers a lead they would never relinquish. Those free throws started an 11-2 run that put the Badgers up 25-17. Badger led 27-21 at the half.
The Badgers came out hot to start the second half with a 12-2 run that pushed the lead to 39-23. Jackson Slayton helped push the lead to 19 with three baskets and a blocked shot. A three-pointer by Ty McGreevy made it 55-35 and the Badgers coasted from there. After a close first half, the Badgers outscored the Wolverines (2-11, 1-6 Southern Lakes Conference) by ten in the second half.
The Badgers (3-8, 2-4 SLC) were led by 12 points from Kale Rodgers. Johnston added 11 and Grant DuMez had ten. Nathan Landon led Waterford with 15 and Robert Zawacki had 14.
Rodgers explodes for 33
Rodgers went off for a career-high 33 points in a 67-54 loss at Kenosha Bradford on Jan. 14. While Rodgers was white-hot, he did not get much support as no other Badger had more than seven points.
Rodgers opened the scoring with a three-pointer, one of eight he made on the night in 11 attempts. The game went back and forth with six lead changes through the half-way point of the first half. Bradford took control and pushed its lead to 23-14.
The Badgers stormed back to tie the game at 26. Rodgers had two three-pointers and eight points along the way. A basket by DuMez tied the game with six minutes to go in the first half. Bradford too a 38-33 halftime lead on a three-pointer by Da’Quantae Sawyer just before the buzzer.
Rodgers had 19 points at halftime, but Bradford’s Jashon Lee had 13 and Maxwell Glass had another 12.
Badger tied the game at 40 early in the second half on a three-pointer and basket by Rodgers. After a Bradford basket, Rodgers made another three-pointer to put the Badgers up 43-42. The lead was short-lived as Bradford went back ahead and never gave it back.
Rodgers did make three out of four free throws after a technical foul on Bradford to bring the Badgers within 48-46, but Bradford held onto the lead and used an 8-0 to take control. Rodgers shot another three-pointer to make it 56-49, but the Red Devils pushed the lead up to 13 and made five of six free throws down the stretch.
Rodgers led all scorers with his 33. DuMez added seven. Glass led Bradford (4-10) with 18. Lee added 15 points, Tanner Hurley had 11 and Sawyer had ten.
The Badgers game at Westosha Central on Tuesday was cancelled. Lake Geneva will next host Burlington on Friday.
See more Lake Geneva High School sports in the Jan. 24 Times.
