By Robert Whitmire

The SPASH Panthers boys basketball team defeated LaCrosse Central in a non conference tilt at the SPASH field house last night by a final score of 84-56.

The Red Raiders entered the contest ranked sixth in the latest Division 2 state poll with a 13-3 overall record and sitting atop the Mississippi Valley Conference at 6-1.

Jamison Kryshak had the hot hand for the Panthers in the first half draining 4 of 5 3-pointers.  Kryshak finished the game with 15 points. SPASH led 34-22 at the half.

The Panthers increased that lead  to start the second half outscoring LaCrosse 23-16 to open a 19 point margin at 9:23 of the second half and led by as many as 30 points (76-46) with 3:24 remaining in the contest.

Trev Anderson led the Panther attack lighting up the board with 22 points. Sophomore Joey Hauser added 21 points with Jake Hofmeister (12), Mack Journell (6), Beau Rosenthal (3), Sam Hauser (3) and Keon’te Williams (2) rounding out the scoring for SPASH.

The Panthers hit 12 two-pointers, 15 three-pointers and were 15 of 16 from the free throw line.

The Panthers junior varsity won 59-37 led by Drew Cullen’s 23 points.  Rounding out the scoring were Brennan Mueller (17), Spencer Tyson (7), Max Hofmeister (5), Andrew Erdman (5) and Logan Lewis (2).

SPASH returns to the field house Friday, Feb. 12 when they play host to Wisconsin Valley Conference foe Merrill.