DARLINGTON - Junior Josh Soper was in the right spot at the right time for the Darlington High School boys basketball team Monday night in a nonconference game against New Glarus.
With the Redbirds and Glarner Knights locked in a tie game, Soper grabbed an offensive rebound on Ryan Glendenning's missed shot. Soper made one free throw with 1.7 seconds to go to give the Redbirds a thrilling 64-63 win over New Glarus.
Darlington (16-5) led by as many as 21 points in the second half. New Glarus (13-8, 8-2 Capitol South) stormed back with an 18-0 run. New Glarus junior Cullen Brooks drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game with about 1 minute left. That set the stage for a riveting finish.
"They really showed some character in the end when they got back in the game," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "Our defense was more aggressive, and we picking them up fullcourt. That led to some turnovers and points on our end."
New Glarus senior Gavin Binger scored a game-high 21 points.
Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said he was naturally disappointed the Redbirds let a 21-point lead slip away.
"We had three consecutive possessions with turnovers," Hopkins said. "We aided their 18-0 run. Give New Glarus credit. They picked up their defense. We showed some character, too, by keeping our cool in the last minute."
Darlington junior Will Schwartz scored a team-high 18 points. Juniors Trevor Johnson and Chad Golackson each added 11 points.
New Glarus seniors Trey Taylor, Austin Schlueter and Brooks each chipped in nine points.
Black Hawk 64, Potosi 58
POTOSI - Black Hawk freshman Conner Meyer scored a game-high 22 points and the Warriors made some critical free throws in the second half to pull out a win over Potosi.
Black Hawk sophomore C.J. Leuzinger made two free throws, and senior Chase Stietz made one free throw late in the game, according to Black Hawk coach Charlie Anderson.
Stietz added 16 points and hit three 3-pointers. Leuzinger had 14 points and knocked down two 3-pointers.
Black Hawk (10-11, 5-6 Six Rivers East) made 6 of 11 free throws in the second half and finished the game 8 of 14.
"We did a nice job of grinding out a victory and closed it out," Anderson said. "We made just enough free throws to pull it out."
Barneveld 73, Monticello 27
BARNEVELD - Senior Will Clausen knocked down three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 15 points to lead Barneveld past Monticello.
With the win, Barneveld (18-4, 12-0 Six Rivers East) closed out an unbeaten conference season. Senior teammate Bryce Arneson added 13 points and junior Lucas Evans had 10 points.
The Eagles used a 15-0 run in the first half to open up a 19-point lead at the half. Barneveld put the game away with a 17-0 run to start the second half.
Sophomore Jon Errthum scored a team-high 12 points for Monticello (2-19, 1-10).
With the Redbirds and Glarner Knights locked in a tie game, Soper grabbed an offensive rebound on Ryan Glendenning's missed shot. Soper made one free throw with 1.7 seconds to go to give the Redbirds a thrilling 64-63 win over New Glarus.
Darlington (16-5) led by as many as 21 points in the second half. New Glarus (13-8, 8-2 Capitol South) stormed back with an 18-0 run. New Glarus junior Cullen Brooks drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game with about 1 minute left. That set the stage for a riveting finish.
"They really showed some character in the end when they got back in the game," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "Our defense was more aggressive, and we picking them up fullcourt. That led to some turnovers and points on our end."
New Glarus senior Gavin Binger scored a game-high 21 points.
Darlington coach Mike Hopkins said he was naturally disappointed the Redbirds let a 21-point lead slip away.
"We had three consecutive possessions with turnovers," Hopkins said. "We aided their 18-0 run. Give New Glarus credit. They picked up their defense. We showed some character, too, by keeping our cool in the last minute."
Darlington junior Will Schwartz scored a team-high 18 points. Juniors Trevor Johnson and Chad Golackson each added 11 points.
New Glarus seniors Trey Taylor, Austin Schlueter and Brooks each chipped in nine points.
Black Hawk 64, Potosi 58
POTOSI - Black Hawk freshman Conner Meyer scored a game-high 22 points and the Warriors made some critical free throws in the second half to pull out a win over Potosi.
Black Hawk sophomore C.J. Leuzinger made two free throws, and senior Chase Stietz made one free throw late in the game, according to Black Hawk coach Charlie Anderson.
Stietz added 16 points and hit three 3-pointers. Leuzinger had 14 points and knocked down two 3-pointers.
Black Hawk (10-11, 5-6 Six Rivers East) made 6 of 11 free throws in the second half and finished the game 8 of 14.
"We did a nice job of grinding out a victory and closed it out," Anderson said. "We made just enough free throws to pull it out."
Barneveld 73, Monticello 27
BARNEVELD - Senior Will Clausen knocked down three 3-pointers and scored a game-high 15 points to lead Barneveld past Monticello.
With the win, Barneveld (18-4, 12-0 Six Rivers East) closed out an unbeaten conference season. Senior teammate Bryce Arneson added 13 points and junior Lucas Evans had 10 points.
The Eagles used a 15-0 run in the first half to open up a 19-point lead at the half. Barneveld put the game away with a 17-0 run to start the second half.
Sophomore Jon Errthum scored a team-high 12 points for Monticello (2-19, 1-10).
