BLANCHARDVILLE - For New Glarus junior Tyler Kreklow, the 55-38 win over Pecatonica Saturday had more meaning than just a non-conference game.
Kreklow scored a game-high 22 points including 11 in the third quarter to lift the Knights.
"It's Pec," Kreklow said. "It's still a rivalry. We used to be in the same league."
Both teams got off to sluggish shooting starts in the first half. The Vikings (1-7, 0-3 Six Rivers East) shot just 4 of 18 in the first half. The Knights (5-4, 2-1 Capitol South) jumped out to an 8-2 first quarter lead after the Vikings committed six turnovers in the period. Despite just shooting 1 of 8 in the first quarter, the Vikings trailed just 8-4 at the end of the period.
Pecatonica senior Josh Hendrickson scored down low with a minute, 56 seconds left in the second quarter to slice the Knights' lead to 16-12. However, that's as close as they would get. New Glarus senior Braden Pittman hit a 3-pointer and Chris Pickett was credited with a tip in after a rebound ended up in the basket and he was fouled. Those two plays sparked New Glarus to a 7-0 run to give the Knights a 23-12 halftime lead.
"We played good defense in the first half," Kreklow said. "We just didn't hit our shots. That momentum carried into the third quarter."
The Knights put the game away with an 11-3 run to start the third quarter. The run was kick-started by the Knights' defense. New Glarus senior Tyler Dorn came up with a steal and threw an outlet pass to Kreklow who drove in for a layup. On the next possession, Kreklow drilled a 3-pointer to give the Knights an insurmountable 32-17 lead with 4:56 left in the period.
"We picked up our defense," Kreklow said. "We live off of turnovers. That is what led to a lot of points."
Kreklow scored 11 points in the third quarter and Dorn finished with 10 points in the game.
"That was a big spark," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "Tyler is a very good offensive player. He can change the complexion of the game and he did that in the third quarter. The offense can come and go. Defense is what can keep you in the game."
The Knights played all 16 players on the team and eight scored.
"There are not many teams with 16 players," Sysko said. "It's nice to be able to get everyone in. Those guys all practice hard. They all deserve to get in and get an opportunity."
Pecatonica senior Jesse Mabin scored a team-high 10 points and had seven rebounds to lead the Vikings.
"It was good for him to step up," Pecatonica coach Kevin Parman said of Mabin. "He has had a lot of injuries. It's good to see him come out and play that way. With him and everyone else with potential, they have to play like that all the time."
Pecatonica senior Tannar Johnson had five points and 10 rebounds. Parman said the Vikings struggled with shot selection in the second half.
"Even when you are down, you have to take good shots or else it snowballs on you," Parman said.
Kreklow scored a game-high 22 points including 11 in the third quarter to lift the Knights.
"It's Pec," Kreklow said. "It's still a rivalry. We used to be in the same league."
Both teams got off to sluggish shooting starts in the first half. The Vikings (1-7, 0-3 Six Rivers East) shot just 4 of 18 in the first half. The Knights (5-4, 2-1 Capitol South) jumped out to an 8-2 first quarter lead after the Vikings committed six turnovers in the period. Despite just shooting 1 of 8 in the first quarter, the Vikings trailed just 8-4 at the end of the period.
Pecatonica senior Josh Hendrickson scored down low with a minute, 56 seconds left in the second quarter to slice the Knights' lead to 16-12. However, that's as close as they would get. New Glarus senior Braden Pittman hit a 3-pointer and Chris Pickett was credited with a tip in after a rebound ended up in the basket and he was fouled. Those two plays sparked New Glarus to a 7-0 run to give the Knights a 23-12 halftime lead.
"We played good defense in the first half," Kreklow said. "We just didn't hit our shots. That momentum carried into the third quarter."
The Knights put the game away with an 11-3 run to start the third quarter. The run was kick-started by the Knights' defense. New Glarus senior Tyler Dorn came up with a steal and threw an outlet pass to Kreklow who drove in for a layup. On the next possession, Kreklow drilled a 3-pointer to give the Knights an insurmountable 32-17 lead with 4:56 left in the period.
"We picked up our defense," Kreklow said. "We live off of turnovers. That is what led to a lot of points."
Kreklow scored 11 points in the third quarter and Dorn finished with 10 points in the game.
"That was a big spark," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "Tyler is a very good offensive player. He can change the complexion of the game and he did that in the third quarter. The offense can come and go. Defense is what can keep you in the game."
The Knights played all 16 players on the team and eight scored.
"There are not many teams with 16 players," Sysko said. "It's nice to be able to get everyone in. Those guys all practice hard. They all deserve to get in and get an opportunity."
Pecatonica senior Jesse Mabin scored a team-high 10 points and had seven rebounds to lead the Vikings.
"It was good for him to step up," Pecatonica coach Kevin Parman said of Mabin. "He has had a lot of injuries. It's good to see him come out and play that way. With him and everyone else with potential, they have to play like that all the time."
Pecatonica senior Tannar Johnson had five points and 10 rebounds. Parman said the Vikings struggled with shot selection in the second half.
"Even when you are down, you have to take good shots or else it snowballs on you," Parman said.
