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 10th.
Article Submitted by Dwayne Lange
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
