Basketball Recap: Izac Zautke's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Madison over Stanton

Madison was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight loss. They fell 54-45 to the Stanton Mustangs. The Dragons were not able to repeat the success they had when they faced the Mustangs earlier this season, when they won 56-52.

Izac Zautke

Steals

02/04/25 vs Stanton	5
02/01/25 @ Oakland-Craig	3
01/28/25 @ Lyons-Decatur Northeast	5
01/27/25 vs Pender	3
01/23/25 vs Humphrey-Lindsay	5
+ 7 more games

Madison's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Izac Zautke, who went 7-for-15 on his way to 14 points along with six assists and five steals. Zautke has been hot for a while, having posted three or more steals the last 12 times he's played. Another player making a difference was Gabriel Campos, who posted 11 points in addition to five rebounds and four steals.

Stanton's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Austin Claussen led the charge by putting up 17 points and six boards. What's more, Claussen also posted a 11% three-point shooting accuracy, which is the highest he's posted since back in December of 2024. Barrett Wilke was another key player, dropping a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Madison's loss dropped their record down to 7-12. As for Stanton, their victory ended a 19-game drought on the road dating back to last season and puts them at 2-17.

Madison wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 53-28 defeat against West Point-Beemer on the 11th. As for Stanton, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 62-30 win against Winside on the 11th.