The Whitewater Boys’ Basketball Team competed in two hotly-contested games to begin the week. Unfortunately, they came up a little short in both, losing to Lake Geneva Badger, 41-39, on Monday, February 7th, and 62-48 to Beloit Turner on Tuesday, February 8th.

In Monday’s game, Lake Geneva scored the first two points, but that was their only lead of the first half, as Whitewater took control of the game with their aggressive 1-3-1 zone defense. The Whippets built a seven-point lead with five minutes left, but couldn’t increase it, as Badger closed the gap to 21-18 at the half. The second half was close throughout, with Whitewater keeping the lead until Lake Geneva hit a basket to take a 30-29 lead with 8 and a half minutes left. After that, it went back and forth until the end. With the score tied 39-39 and four seconds left, Badger center Nathan Buntrock broke free to score and win the game.

Whitewater was led by Jon Aron with 12 points, Wyatt Nickels with 8 points and 9 rebounds, and Arno Crowley with 7 points and 3 steals. Sam Brown also contributed 3 steals, as Whitewater stole the ball 10 times.

Tuesday’s game did not start well for the Whippets, as Beloit Turner built a 19-2 lead in the first 10 minutes of this make-up game. Whitewater’s offense finally kicked in, and with their aggressive defense getting steals (a total of 19 steals for the game), the Whippets stormed back. When Arno Crowley hit a 3 pointer at the end of the first half, the Turner lead was down to two, 31-29. Whitewater stayed close throughout the second half. Every time Turner would widen their lead, the Whippets would reel it back in. However, they couldn’t make that last run to take the lead, and with the score at 52-48 with two and a half minutes left, Turner scored the last 10 points for the final.

Whitewater was again led in scoring by Jon Aron with 12 points and Wyatt Nickels’ 5 rebounds. Arno Crowley had 8 points and 6 steals, and Ramon Wence had 4 steals (two of which were crucial to start Whitewater’s first half comeback.)

The Whippets next play at Jefferson on Thursday, February 10^th.

Article Submitted by Dwayne Lange
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team hosted Edgerton for a conference game on Tuesday, February 8th. The Whippets fell to the Tide 40-85.

Gwen Truesdale led the Whippets with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Josie Treder added 9 points and 7 rebounds. Kindyl Kilar and Danielle Deporter each contributed 6 points, and Cali Kopecky added 5.

 Whitewater will travel to Brodhead on Friday, February 11th.

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org

The Whippets placed 7th in the Southern Lakes Conference Swim Meet with several best times and one medal winning performance on Saturday, February 5. All of our swimmers helped earn points towards our finish with only the Top 16 places scoring points.

Zach Tomomitsu continues to race fast in the 100 Freestyle, going right on his season best time. He also raced hard in the 100 Backstroke, where he finished in the Top 16!

Tyler Arnett was able to take home a medal with his 3rd place finish in the 500 Freestyle. Tyler also swam two great anchor splits in the 200 and 400 Freestyle Relays, and had a 7th place finish in the 200 Freestyle, going a season best time.

Jack Hefty placed in the Top 16 in both of his individual events. He went a season best time in the 200 Individual Medley, and ended up going a season best 100 Freestyle, while leading off the 400 Freestyle Relay!

Miles Nickelsburg continues to improve his time in the 100 Backstroke, where he dropped 2.5 seconds of his previous best time, and was able to place in the Top 16!

Andrew O’Toole was able to place in the Top 16 in the 100 Breaststroke, and was right on his previous best time! He swam a really nice split in the 200 Freestyle Relay.

Next up is the Sectional Meet at Baraboo on Saturday, February 12.

Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Co-Head Boys’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org

The Whitewater Gymnastics Team competed in a tough invitational on Saturday, February 5th, in Dodgeville, against 10 other teams. Our girls fought hard to have their highest team scores of the season on Beam, Floor, and overall!

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Jackie Franco was told at the last minute that we needed her for Vault. Not only was she willing to step in – she got a season best score! Brooklyn Griswold had a season best score on her Floor routine, while Halee Peters tied her season best score on her Floor routine. Nola Coburn had a great Beam routine that earned her a season best score as well as her highest All-Around score of the season. She also tried out some new skills on Bars where she did a back hip circle on the high bar, upping her difficulty. Makayla Bazeley changed up her passes on her Floor routine by adding a front handspring into a roundoff back-handspring tuck to score her a season best score which contributed to her highest All-Around score.

Impressively, we had 4 out of 5 no fall Beam routines by Lexi Kuhnke, Brooklyn Griswold, Makayla Bazeley, and Halee Peters. This was by far our best day for the Whitewater girls on the Beam! We have been working really hard to achieve a lower percentage of Beam falls, and this meet was a success.

There is only one dual meet left for the season – in Waterford this Tuesday, February 8th. Then we will compete next Saturday, February 12th, in Platteville, for another invitational. After that, we are on to our post season meets. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org