By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Thursday night the Merrill boys basketball team traveled to Antigo for a WIAA Sectional Semi-Final go-round with the New London Bulldogs. Merrill got out to a hot start and was able to hold on to their lead in the second half to take the 75-61 victory.
It was an explosion of offense for the Jays in the first half, outscoring the Bulldogs 49-21. Quinn Steckbauer led the attack for the Bluejays with 12 points. Chase Bonnell had a solid first half as well, totaling 11 points. Kordell Renken would also score all eight of his points on the night, in the first half.
In the second half Merrill would slow down and New London would start to heat up. The Jays would struggle to find offensive consistency and New London started to drop the three pointers that weren’t falling in the first half, as the Bulldogs outscored the Jays 40-26 in the half. New London would bring the game to within 10 points, however Merrill was able to hold on to take the 75-61 win.
Steckbauer led the Jays offense, scoring 30 points on the night. Bonnell would end his night with 17 points, Renken finished with eight and Caleb Timm had six.
Merrill will face off against LaCrosse Central for a chance to make the state tournament tomorrow at 11 a.m. at Wausau East High School.