PLATTEVILLE — A rowdy crowd was on deck for the Black Hawk (2-7, 1-1) varsity boys basketball squad when they traveled to face Platteville (8-3) in a nonconference matchup on Tuesday, Jan. 3, falling to an insurmountable deficit within the opening minutes.
“It’s a difficult task when you have a smaller school,” said Warriors head coach Trent Wyssbrod. “The size and pool that larger schools can provide is such an advantage.”
The Hillmen made a point of using their size advantage over Black Hawk from the start of the game, utilizing a full-court press against the embattled Warriors to force turnover after turnover, enabling Platteville to run up the score.
Things were already out of hand by halftime with a 46-9 lead in favor of the Hillmen, including a career day for their junior guard, Davyn Edge, who totaled 18 points in the first half and 21 points in the game — a total more than double his season average of 9.3 points per game.
The pressure also meant scoring opportunities were scarce for Black Hawk — only junior Andrew Figi saw multiple shots drained in the first half, and in the second half, senior Trae Hagen was the only Warrior to see multiple shots fall.
While the hole the Warriors dug themselves was far too large to climb out of in the second half, their defense stepped up in a big way, holding Platteville to 27 points in the second half, nearly halving their scoring output.
The Hillmen’s Edge was next to nonexistent scoring-wise with only three points in the second half, and only one of their players — junior forward/center, Zach McClain — exceeded five points in the second half.
Platteville adapted, however, through unselfish play that saw almost everyone who hit the court score at least once, including sophomore Jonah Vorwald’s nine point performance, and sophomore Lucas Ludlum’s six point performance.
With the Hillmen playing faster and harder than the Warriors all night, it was no surprise that no player scored well throughout the game, and the scoring leaders consisted of four point efforts from senior Seth Dunlavey, Figi, Hagen, and senior Lucas Milz.
When the final bell rang, Platteville came away with a plentiful, 50-point win over Black Hawk, 73-23.
