NEW GLARUS - Trae VandeBerg was in an unfamiliar position as the high post man as the New Glarus boys basketball team looked to attack Waterloo's 1-2-2 zone.
The sophomore guard, who usually plays on the perimeter, made a seamless transition to the post, scoring a game-high 17 points to propel New Glarus to a 49-37 win over Waterloo Friday night.
"That's not normally a position for Trae," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "We thought he would create some matchup problems as far as passing out of the post. It's tough for teams when you have someone who can pass, shoot it or dribble out of the high post."
VandeBerg scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half, including nine in the third quarter. With the win, New Glarus improves to 6-6, 2-0 Capitol South.
"We got into the middle of the zone and we were able to get to the basket and the free throw line," VandeBerg said. "The thing that really won us the game was our free throws."
After shooting 46.6 percent in the first half (7-for-15), the Pirates cooled off and shot just 25.9 percent in the second half (7-for-27). The Knights also kept the pressure on by going to a press. The Pirates were plagued by 17 turnovers.
"If you hold a varsity team under 40 points, then you have to be happy with your defensive effort," Sysko said.
The Knights had a balanced attack. In addition to VandeBerg's performance, senior Tyler Kreklow scored 10 points and seniors Ryan Zimmerman and Riley Miller each had eight. The Knights shot 39.5 percent (17-for-43), but were also solid at the free throw line, hitting 13 of 16. VandeBerg was able to get to the basket and draw fouls. He made 8 of 10 free throws.
Sysko said free throw shooting is an area where the Knights have struggled at times this year.
"To make 13 of 16 tells me that we are headed in the right direction," he said.
Early on, both teams got off to cold shooting starts. The Knights shot just 2 of 13 in the first quarter and trailed 5-4 at the end of the period. New Glarus found its rhythm attacking the 1-2-2 zone in the second quarter where the Knights outscored the Pirates 17-10. Miller drilled a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 23 seconds left in the period to give the Knights a 15-9 lead. Miller also knocked down a jumper at the end of the second quarter to give the Knights a 21-15 lead.
"I thought we did a great job of limiting their second chance scoring opportunities," Sysko said. "They are big and physical. We wanted to keep them off the boards."
VandeBerg hit a 3-pointer to open the third quarter to give the Knights a nine-point lead. The Knights led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
VandeBerg said the team was able to get some easy transition points by going to a press. Sysko is happy to get the win, but he is not looking any further ahead than a conference game at Wisconsin Heights Jan. 19.
"We keep talking about our next game is our focus," Sysko said. "We are not looking ahead this month or into February. Our focus is one practice and game at a time."
The sophomore guard, who usually plays on the perimeter, made a seamless transition to the post, scoring a game-high 17 points to propel New Glarus to a 49-37 win over Waterloo Friday night.
"That's not normally a position for Trae," New Glarus coach Travis Sysko said. "We thought he would create some matchup problems as far as passing out of the post. It's tough for teams when you have someone who can pass, shoot it or dribble out of the high post."
VandeBerg scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half, including nine in the third quarter. With the win, New Glarus improves to 6-6, 2-0 Capitol South.
"We got into the middle of the zone and we were able to get to the basket and the free throw line," VandeBerg said. "The thing that really won us the game was our free throws."
After shooting 46.6 percent in the first half (7-for-15), the Pirates cooled off and shot just 25.9 percent in the second half (7-for-27). The Knights also kept the pressure on by going to a press. The Pirates were plagued by 17 turnovers.
"If you hold a varsity team under 40 points, then you have to be happy with your defensive effort," Sysko said.
The Knights had a balanced attack. In addition to VandeBerg's performance, senior Tyler Kreklow scored 10 points and seniors Ryan Zimmerman and Riley Miller each had eight. The Knights shot 39.5 percent (17-for-43), but were also solid at the free throw line, hitting 13 of 16. VandeBerg was able to get to the basket and draw fouls. He made 8 of 10 free throws.
Sysko said free throw shooting is an area where the Knights have struggled at times this year.
"To make 13 of 16 tells me that we are headed in the right direction," he said.
Early on, both teams got off to cold shooting starts. The Knights shot just 2 of 13 in the first quarter and trailed 5-4 at the end of the period. New Glarus found its rhythm attacking the 1-2-2 zone in the second quarter where the Knights outscored the Pirates 17-10. Miller drilled a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 23 seconds left in the period to give the Knights a 15-9 lead. Miller also knocked down a jumper at the end of the second quarter to give the Knights a 21-15 lead.
"I thought we did a great job of limiting their second chance scoring opportunities," Sysko said. "They are big and physical. We wanted to keep them off the boards."
VandeBerg hit a 3-pointer to open the third quarter to give the Knights a nine-point lead. The Knights led by as many as 13 points in the second half.
VandeBerg said the team was able to get some easy transition points by going to a press. Sysko is happy to get the win, but he is not looking any further ahead than a conference game at Wisconsin Heights Jan. 19.
"We keep talking about our next game is our focus," Sysko said. "We are not looking ahead this month or into February. Our focus is one practice and game at a time."
