Area boys basketball: Fox helps Plum City advance to section title

Plum City junior Chad Fox singled-handedly carried the Blue Devils during a 13-0 run to start the second half of Thursday’s Division 5 semifinal game. Plum City went on to defeat Royall 50-31 in Neillsville, Wis.

“He was just feeling it tonight,” Blue Devils coach Paul Churchill said of Fox.

Fox, who hit three 3-pointers, scored all of his game-high 20 points in the second half.

While Fox had a big second half, Chase Luebker got Plum City off to a comfortable start by sinking three 3-pointers in the opening half. Plum City led 16-9 after two quarters.

Luebker, a junior, finished the game with 14 points.

Churchill noted that Royall tried to shut down Luebker after halftime, which left Fox open.

Not only was Plum City’s offense hot, but its defense was exceptional as well. The Blue Devils outscored Royall 28-6 in the middle quarters.

“Our kids are playing such good defense right now it’s unbelievable,” Churchill said. “We’re peaking at the right time.”

Royall (19-6) had just one player score in double figures. Sam Murphy scored 11 points while Jacob Murphy added nine points.

Plum City senior Tyler Churchill tallied seven points.

Plum City (16-8) will meet Wauzeka-Steuben, which beat Seneca 37-31 in the semifinals, on Saturday with a section title and a trip to the state tournament on the line.

The game will be played at La Crosse Central and is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

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