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Confidence builders: Craig boys hit sectionals on a high

A little confidence can go a long way.

The Craig boys basketball team has seen their momentum snowball in the month of March, and the Cougars hope it carries them one step closer to a trip to state.

Craig has won five of six games in the month of February leading up to a sectional semifinal game against top-seeded Mukwonago in Burlington tonight at 7 p.m.

"I think they're excited and ready to go," Craig coach Mike Miller said. "They're pretty confident right now. I think our win over Madison Memorial was the thing that really kicked our confidence in. After that, I really believe they think they can beat anyone."

The Cougars topped the ranked Spartans at home on Feb. 7 and have lost just one time since. They beat Badger at home and Burlington on the road by a combined 38 points in regional action last weekend.

Mukwonago beat Parker and Beloit Memorial, each by double digits, to set up tonight's game.

"We know they're big and physical," Miller said. "Obviously, they're a tough team that plays in a tough conference. We really haven't seen anyone like them. We have a tape of them playing Burlington and that was a pretty tight game. They have a little more size and athleticism."

Mukwonago finished 20-4 overall and 12-2 to finish tied atop the Classic Eight. Miller said boxing out, rebounding and limiting the Indians to just one shot attempt will be key.

At the offensive end, Craig juniors Mike Murphy and Jerry Ngobi will look to keep their rhythm. They combined for 53 points in the two regional games.

"Mike has been playing very well offensively and Jerry is finally 100 percent," Miller said. "And Troy [Malmanger] running the point has done a great job of distributing to those guys.

"I just tell them to keep doing what they're doing, play hard, play fundamental basketball and we'll be good."

The winner of tonight's game will face the winner of tonight's matchup between Middleton and Madison Memorial on Saturday at Sun Prairie.

Division 3

Top-seeded East Troy carries a 10-game winning streak into its sectional semifinal game against second-seeded Brown Deer tonight at 7 p.m. at Marquette.

The Trojans rolled through regionals last weekend against St. John's NW Military Academy and Kettle Moraine. Brown Deer (21-3) topped Milwaukee North, 102-80, and Racine St. Catherine's 55-42.

The winner will take on the winner of Oostburg (22-2) and Berlin (18-6) on Saturday at Arrowhead.