By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
The Merrill boys basketball team opened up their season at home Friday, hosting the Antigo Red Robins. The Bluejays battled hard but came up a little short losing 58-56 in overtime.
Right from the tip off it was a hard fought game with neither team able to gain much of a lead. The game went back and fourth many times in the first half until the Bluejays were able to go up two points to finish the half 24-22. Chase Bonnell was Merrill’s scoring leader in the first half with nine points, followed by Zach Mootz with eight.
The second half went to Antigo as they tied up the game at 47 to force an overtime. Mootz scored nine more points in the second half along with six points courtesy of Kordell Renken and five from Chase Bonnell.
In overtime more points were scored from the free throw line than anywhere else with each team making five free throws. Antigo was able to get one more bucket however as they took the 58-56 victory. Mootz finished the game with 18 points, seven of which came from free throws. Chase Bonnell finished with 14 points, making one three pointer and three of his four free throws. Quinn Steckbaur finished the game with nine points and shot five for five from the free throw line.
The Bluejays will be back on the court Tuesday night as they host Hortonville at 7:15 p.m.