Can the Menominee Nation girls basketball team compete in the Central Wisconsin Conference-East without its leading scorer?

The Eagles answered that question Jan. 8 in its first of two matchups this season with Weyauwega-Fremont. Menominee Nation led for most of the game before dropping a 47-41 decision on the Warhawks’ home court.

Three days after a 30-point home loss to Bonduel, it was gut-check time for the Wittenberg-Birnamwood boys basketball team.

Mission accomplished.

The Chargers headed to Iola on Jan. 9 for a Central Wisconsin Conference-East matchup with Iola-Scandinavia and returned home with a 56-41 win over the Thunderbirds.

Friday, Jan. 9

Bonduel 66, Amherst 58

Bonduel improved to 6-0 in the conference and 8-0 overall with a 66-58 win over Amherst.

Ryan Westrich led the Bears with 18 points, followed by Quinn Wesenberg with 16, Carter Moesch with 14, Jack Zernicke with 10 and Griffin Uelmen with eight.

Menominee Nation 62, Weyauwega-Fremont 53

Saturday, Jan. 10

Bay Area 5, Madison Metro 0

The Ice Bears pounded out 71 shots on goal as they shut out the Madison Metro Lynx 5-0. Scoring started in the first period with an Addison Dahl goal with assistance from Aisling Buchan and Abby Monmaerts.

Shawano’s boys wrestlers earned a second place finish at Valdez’s on Jan. 10, getting outscored by their opponents 226-182.

Nikkolas Waukau took first at 113 pounds.

“He wrestled well during his matches today,” coach Mike Homan said. “He continues to have a great season and is becoming more consistent in his matches. We are proud of him and excited to watch him finish his season strong.”

It wasn’t that long ago that Gage Timm and Ben Wesolowski spent their Friday nights playing for the Shawano and Wittenberg-Birnamwood football teams.

While they never had a chance to play for a high school state championship with the Hawks and Chargers, both players can now say they’re members of a national championship team.