PECATONICA - With a share of the Six Rivers East conference title on the line, the Albany Comets were poised to make a statement Friday against the Pecatonica boys basketball team. The Vikings, meanwhile, had other ideas on their way to a 76-60 win.
"Our guys understood the importance of this game," Vikings coach Matt Fink said. "We knew that we would have to match the intensity that Albany would come out with. We had a great practice last night and all things were leading up for us to have a good game tonight."
Fink's players responded well. Led by Brooks Chandler, Drew Schliem and A.J. Hendrickson, the host Vikings (10-11, 6-5) ran out of the gates and took an early advantage over the Comets, outscoring Albany 22-9 in the first quarter. Five players scored for the Vikings in the first half, with Chandler leading the charge, scoring 11 of his 15 total points to give the Vikings a 39-23 lead by halftime.
With the hopes of getting their first conference crown since 1978, the Comets knew that they had to respond in the second half and pull away with a victory. Senior Isaiah Shell, who scored a game-high 24 points, led his team's comeback hopes as the Comets pulled within 11 points of Pecatonica midway through the third quarter.
But the Vikings proved to be too much to handle, as they responded with a 9-0 stretch to widen the gap and keep any chance of an Albany comeback at bay. Pecatonica seniors Chase Norton and Zach Schilling turned in epic performances in their final games as Vikings players. The senior duo combined for 20 points on the night in addition to the Vikings having four players in double figures.
"This is a great win for our team, and for Chase (Norton) and Zach (Schilling)," Fink said. "The both of them stepped up tonight. They've had it in them all year, and they were able to turn it up and put in a phenomenal effort."
Teammates A.J. Hendrickson and Drew Schliem added 19 and 16 points respectively to give the Vikings a balanced attack.
"Overall this was a great team win," Fink said. "This was a statement game, and I'm glad our team was able to give these seniors a well-deserved win."
Albany will look to build on their success this year in the postseason, as they host Faith Christian in the opening round of the playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Monticello 66, Argyle 52
MONTICELLO - The gym was packed in Monticello on Friday night, as the Ponies celebrated both Senior and Parent Night. For the Monticello parents and players alike, their team ended the night with a convincing 66-52 victory over Argyle in their final game of the regular season.
After trading baskets throughout the third quarter, the Orioles were able to pull within one point of Monticello's lead. But after a four-point play where Monticello senior Brent Klitzke was fouled on a successfull three-point field goal attempt, the Ponies were able to pull away and hold on for the win.
Fitting for the occasion, Monticello seniors Logan Crooks, Lucas Marty, and Brent Klitzke each scored in double figures with 20, 19 and 11 points respectively. The Ponies will travel to Williams Bay to take on the Bulldogs in the opening round of the WIAA playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Sophomore Riley Ostby scored 22 points for the Argyle.
Barneveld 55, Juda 34
JUDA - The Juda boys basketball team continued to struggle in conference play, losing 55-34 as they hosted Barneveld on Senior Night.
For a team short on experience, Juda coach James Pickett knows that each and every game for his team this season has served a purpose.
"This year has been a learning curve for all of us," Pickett said. "For a couple of our seniors, this is their first year playing varsity as well, so we've had a lot of learning experiences this year."
Cory Senger had 13 points for Juda.
With the win, Barneveld could win a share of the Six Rivers East conference title today against Argyle.
"Our guys understood the importance of this game," Vikings coach Matt Fink said. "We knew that we would have to match the intensity that Albany would come out with. We had a great practice last night and all things were leading up for us to have a good game tonight."
Fink's players responded well. Led by Brooks Chandler, Drew Schliem and A.J. Hendrickson, the host Vikings (10-11, 6-5) ran out of the gates and took an early advantage over the Comets, outscoring Albany 22-9 in the first quarter. Five players scored for the Vikings in the first half, with Chandler leading the charge, scoring 11 of his 15 total points to give the Vikings a 39-23 lead by halftime.
With the hopes of getting their first conference crown since 1978, the Comets knew that they had to respond in the second half and pull away with a victory. Senior Isaiah Shell, who scored a game-high 24 points, led his team's comeback hopes as the Comets pulled within 11 points of Pecatonica midway through the third quarter.
But the Vikings proved to be too much to handle, as they responded with a 9-0 stretch to widen the gap and keep any chance of an Albany comeback at bay. Pecatonica seniors Chase Norton and Zach Schilling turned in epic performances in their final games as Vikings players. The senior duo combined for 20 points on the night in addition to the Vikings having four players in double figures.
"This is a great win for our team, and for Chase (Norton) and Zach (Schilling)," Fink said. "The both of them stepped up tonight. They've had it in them all year, and they were able to turn it up and put in a phenomenal effort."
Teammates A.J. Hendrickson and Drew Schliem added 19 and 16 points respectively to give the Vikings a balanced attack.
"Overall this was a great team win," Fink said. "This was a statement game, and I'm glad our team was able to give these seniors a well-deserved win."
Albany will look to build on their success this year in the postseason, as they host Faith Christian in the opening round of the playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Monticello 66, Argyle 52
MONTICELLO - The gym was packed in Monticello on Friday night, as the Ponies celebrated both Senior and Parent Night. For the Monticello parents and players alike, their team ended the night with a convincing 66-52 victory over Argyle in their final game of the regular season.
After trading baskets throughout the third quarter, the Orioles were able to pull within one point of Monticello's lead. But after a four-point play where Monticello senior Brent Klitzke was fouled on a successfull three-point field goal attempt, the Ponies were able to pull away and hold on for the win.
Fitting for the occasion, Monticello seniors Logan Crooks, Lucas Marty, and Brent Klitzke each scored in double figures with 20, 19 and 11 points respectively. The Ponies will travel to Williams Bay to take on the Bulldogs in the opening round of the WIAA playoffs on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Sophomore Riley Ostby scored 22 points for the Argyle.
Barneveld 55, Juda 34
JUDA - The Juda boys basketball team continued to struggle in conference play, losing 55-34 as they hosted Barneveld on Senior Night.
For a team short on experience, Juda coach James Pickett knows that each and every game for his team this season has served a purpose.
"This year has been a learning curve for all of us," Pickett said. "For a couple of our seniors, this is their first year playing varsity as well, so we've had a lot of learning experiences this year."
Cory Senger had 13 points for Juda.
With the win, Barneveld could win a share of the Six Rivers East conference title today against Argyle.
