Racine Lutheran honors Austin Neuhaus with “Team Peanut Night 2”
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Austin Neuhaus is finally back home.
After a long stint at Children’s Hospital from a New Year’s Day crash that caused severe injuries, the 17-year-old Catholic Central High School junior is still in the hearts and minds of the local basketball community.
While Tuesday’s Metro Classic Conference showdown in Racine between host Lutheran and Catholic Central was for second place in the standings, the Lutheran community hosted “Team Peanut Night 2,” a benefit game to raise money for the Neuhaus family.
Neuhaus’ first benefit game was about a month ago in Burlington, when Catholic Central beat Lutheran, 52-35, in the team’s first game since Neuhaus’ accident.
“I think it is an amazing gesture by them and further showcases the Southeast Wisconsin community coming together for this cause,” said Catholic Central assistant coach Dan Meddaugh.
“We definitely still talk about Austin and keeping our season in perspective,” head coach Kyle Scott added.
According to the CCHS Toppers Facebook page, more than $1,000 was raised at the game for Neuhaus.
On the court, the Toppers continued their recent dominance with a convincing 60-39 victory over Lutheran.
It was the fifth straight victory for the Toppers (11-7, 9-4 Metro Classic Conference), who now sit alone in second place ahead of Lutheran (8-5 MCC).
Four players scored in double figures, led by 16 apiece from Ben Heiligenthal and Frank Koehnke.
Catholic Central jumped out to a 30-13 halftime lead and never looked back.
“The team has really come together, everyone knows their roles and we share the ball very well, which leads to balanced scoring,” said junior point guard Aaron Rueber after Tuesday’s win. “Our chemistry and confidence in each other is great. Our hard work in practice has really paid off.”
Heiligenthal, who also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished four assists, said the team plays every game for Neuhaus.
“He’s still our teammate, and when I’m on the court I’m playing for every single one of my teammates, especially Austin,” Heiligenthal said Tuesday night. “He’s such a great kid, and I can’t imagine how tough it is for him, but we’re all here for him supporting him and playing for him.”
For the game, Catholic Central scorched the nets at 52 percent and added 20-for-31 from the line.
Heiligenthal was 6-of-7 from the floor.
Catholic Central travels to the Prairie School Friday. The Toppers must still face Division 2 county neighbor Waterford and MCC power Whitefish Bay Dominican.
“To me, improving is far more beneficial than a regular season win,” Scott said. “If we bring the energy and consistency we have the last few games into the remaining games, I think we will be fine.”
Rueber’s rainbow beats Luther
He isn’t the most intimidating threat on the court. That distinction goes to 6-foot-4 Ben Heiligenthal, the Toppers’ leading scorer.
Junior point guar Aaron Rueber, who stands 5-foot-9 and mostly runs the point by dishing to the open man, took the game in his own hands Saturday at Greendale Martin Luther.
With the clock ticking down, Rueber’s high-arching wing triple hit nothing but net, and the Toppers pulled off a 59-56 victory at the buzzer.
It was the Toppers’ fourth straight win, and the visiting Topper faithful went wild.
“Aaron’s shot was big,” head coach Kyle Scott said. “It capped a total team effort.”
It was a balanced offensive attack for the Toppers, as Heiligenthal led the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
Brandon Vandehei added 17 points, and Rueber and Frank Koehnke each tallied 11.
Rueber finished with three 3-pointers and five assists, and Vandehei hit five. The team totaled 10 triples.
What has been the key to the Toppers’ recent play?
“Consistency for 36 minutes,” Scott said. “We’ve also been more balanced on offense. We have a few guys in double figures most nights.”
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