WATERTOWN – The effort has been there for the Watertown-Mayer boys basketball team this season. The results on the other hand, have not. A play here, or a player there has been the story of the Royals’ season this year as new guys are taking on much bigger roles than they did a season ago. Take away senior guard Riley Alger who’s been out more than a month with injury, and the Royals are trying to work things out as the end of the regular season approaches.
While the Royals hosted Maple Lake in a non conference matchup Monday night, it was the same story for the home team with an all too familiar result. After battling with the Irish the first half, the Royals couldn’t get the key bucket or stop they needed in the second half, as their losing streak swelled to nine games with a 54-42 loss to the Irish.
A hot start from deep got the Royals off to a good start in their matchup with the Irish. Wilson Kuhn and Braxton Williams both connected on their first attempts, giving the Royals and early 6-2 lead.
With a 10-8 lead for the Royals with just under eight minutes left in the first half, Maple Lake’s Ben Rielley gave the Irish a spark off the bench. Reilley scored five-straight points for the Irish, giving them their first lead of the game, and a nice cushion after a slow start offensively. The Irish closed the half by outscoring the Royals 18-13 the rest of the way to take a 26-21 lead into the locker room at the half.
Look for the rest of the story, as well as more HJ sports coverage, in the Friday, Feb. 9 edition of the Herald Journal. Click here for subscription information.
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