PLATTEVILLE - Black Hawk freshman Natalie Leuzinger exploded with a game-high 30 points to lead the Warriors to a 76-55 win over Platteville on Saturday.
Black Hawk (12-0) led by just four points in the first half against a Platteville team that snapped Mineral Point's 30-game winning streak this year and also knocked off previous unbeaten Richland Center.
The Hillmen switched to a trapping zone defense and Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan made an adjustment by placing Leuzinger in the middle of the zone to attack as a scoring threat. The Warriors outscored the Hillmen 45-28 in the second half.
"We started to get the ball to Natalie in the middle of their zone and she got some good scoring opportunities," Flanagan said. "We made it a priority to get her some touches."
Leuzinger made 10 of 14 shots and hit 4 of 5 3-pointers and was a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
"She shot the ball incredibly well," Flanagan said of Leuzinger.
However, it was a complete team effort for the Warriors. Freshman teammate Hannah Butler added 20 points and hit two 3-pointers. Freshman teammate Maddy Huschitt chipped in 11 points.
When Black Hawk's Sam Lovelace hit her head, the Warriors even got more production off their bench: Sophomore Sydney Delzer chipped in seven points and had two steals.
"She (Delzer) had two crucial steals," Flanagan said. "I thought her performance was crucial for us."
Black Hawk shot 85 percent from the free throw line (17 of 20). Unbeaten Black Hawk will play at Barneveld on Tuesday. With 12 straight wins and a win over Platteville, Flanagan likes the way his young team is developing.
"I think it was a really good game for us," Flanagan said. "It was one of our better games we have played."
Wisconsin Dells 45, Brodhead 35
WISCONSIN DELLS - Jenna Mace scored a game-high 24 points to propel the Chiefs to a nonconference win over Brodhead on Saturday.
Mace made 10 of 14 free throws to help Wisconsin Dells (11-2) come back from a six-point deficit at the half. The Chiefs outscored the Cardinals 25-9 in the second half.
Brodhead senior Morgan Cook scored a team-high 14 points. Junior teammate Erin Nyhus added 11 points.
Belleville 65, Albany 45
BELLEVILLE - Senior Grace Schulting and sophomore Rachel Heittola combined to score 29 points to lead the Wildcats to a nonconference win over Albany Saturday.
Schulting scored a game-high 15 points and Heittola added 14 points to spark Belleville to a 17-point lead at the half, 33-16.
Albany sophomore Libby Beck scored a team-high 10 points. Sophomore teammate Payton Zurfluh chipped in seven points.
With the loss, Albany drops to 1-13.
Black Hawk (12-0) led by just four points in the first half against a Platteville team that snapped Mineral Point's 30-game winning streak this year and also knocked off previous unbeaten Richland Center.
The Hillmen switched to a trapping zone defense and Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan made an adjustment by placing Leuzinger in the middle of the zone to attack as a scoring threat. The Warriors outscored the Hillmen 45-28 in the second half.
"We started to get the ball to Natalie in the middle of their zone and she got some good scoring opportunities," Flanagan said. "We made it a priority to get her some touches."
Leuzinger made 10 of 14 shots and hit 4 of 5 3-pointers and was a perfect 6 of 6 from the free throw line.
"She shot the ball incredibly well," Flanagan said of Leuzinger.
However, it was a complete team effort for the Warriors. Freshman teammate Hannah Butler added 20 points and hit two 3-pointers. Freshman teammate Maddy Huschitt chipped in 11 points.
When Black Hawk's Sam Lovelace hit her head, the Warriors even got more production off their bench: Sophomore Sydney Delzer chipped in seven points and had two steals.
"She (Delzer) had two crucial steals," Flanagan said. "I thought her performance was crucial for us."
Black Hawk shot 85 percent from the free throw line (17 of 20). Unbeaten Black Hawk will play at Barneveld on Tuesday. With 12 straight wins and a win over Platteville, Flanagan likes the way his young team is developing.
"I think it was a really good game for us," Flanagan said. "It was one of our better games we have played."
Wisconsin Dells 45, Brodhead 35
WISCONSIN DELLS - Jenna Mace scored a game-high 24 points to propel the Chiefs to a nonconference win over Brodhead on Saturday.
Mace made 10 of 14 free throws to help Wisconsin Dells (11-2) come back from a six-point deficit at the half. The Chiefs outscored the Cardinals 25-9 in the second half.
Brodhead senior Morgan Cook scored a team-high 14 points. Junior teammate Erin Nyhus added 11 points.
Belleville 65, Albany 45
BELLEVILLE - Senior Grace Schulting and sophomore Rachel Heittola combined to score 29 points to lead the Wildcats to a nonconference win over Albany Saturday.
Schulting scored a game-high 15 points and Heittola added 14 points to spark Belleville to a 17-point lead at the half, 33-16.
Albany sophomore Libby Beck scored a team-high 10 points. Sophomore teammate Payton Zurfluh chipped in seven points.
With the loss, Albany drops to 1-13.
