Hot start propels Huskies past Falcons

The New Holstein Huskies started hot, shooting 100 percent from the field in the first quarter, and finished the fourth quarter making 7-of-8 free throws, to top the Sheboygan Falls Falcons 63-56 in Eastern Wisconsin Conference boys basketball action Friday, Jan. 8, in Sheboygan Falls.

The New Holstein defense held off numerous Falls’ runs in the second half, as Chris Lefeber connected on each of his final four free throws to secure the win.

The Huskies improved to 2-3 in the EWC (3-5 overall) and the Falcons dropped to 1-4 in the conference (4-6 overall).

“We didn’t take advantage of our opportunities in the second half,” said Falcons coach Eric Spielman. “We had some good looks and missed too many shots. We gave them too many easy shots in the first quarter.”

New Holstein built 11-point leads twice in the second half, but a resilient Falls found a way to battle back, until late in the game when a flurry of 3-pointers wouldn’t stay down.

The Huskies led 43-32 with 4:47 left in the third quarter, before the Falcons used a six-point run to cut the lead to 45-40.

Falls senior Spencer Hurlburt drained a shot, which was followed by two 3-pointers from senior Dan Duda and junior Nick Roelse, with 3:28 to go in the third period.

Late in the quarter, Falls made another surge on baskets by senior Lewis Halverson and juniors Alex Grabowski and Andy Ansay to cut the gap to 49-46.

The Falcons kept it close in the fourth quarter with another 3-point shot from Duda and a three-point play from Roelse, as Falls came to within two points (54-52), with 5:13 left in the fourth quarter.

A basket by Brett Boettcher and three free throws extended the Huskies’ lead back to 59-53, with 59.5 seconds left. The New Holstein defense then held the Falcons without a basket for four minutes.

After a timeout, Falls junior Matt Hasler drained a big 3-pointer to cut the lead to 59-56, with 46.6 seconds left.

The Falcons had several more chances down the stretch, but were unable to tie the score, as New Holstein finished the game strong at the free-throw line.

Falls started the game with a 6-2 lead, as Hurlburt made two 3-pointers.

The Huskies came back to take an 11-8 advantage, with Tyler Zipperer scoring four points to lead the way.New Holstein finished the first quarter with a 16-4 run to take a 27-15 lead into the second period.

Falls senior Lewis Halverson ended the run, banging down a 3-point shot to start the second quarter. The Falcons offense then started to click, trimming the lead to 29-24 later in the quarter.

However, New Holstein ran the lead back to nine by the end of the period to lead 39-30 at halftime.

Roelse, Hurlburt and Hasler scored 12 points each to lead the Falcons. Hurlburt and Hasler had seasonhigh scoring efforts. Roelse grabbed 11 rebounds and Hurlburt had five assists.

Lefeber led the Huskies with a game-high 16 points. Boettcher and Charlie Cash had 12 points apiece.

The Falcons junior varsity team won 58-44 over New Holstein, with a 21-point performance from Bobby Musil. Zach Van Engen also had a fine effort for the Falcons, with 12 points.

Falls picked up its first win of the EWC season to go to 1-4 and 5-5 overall.

“We’re starting to put the pieces together,” said coach Jeff Duda. “The team is playing more together now.”

The Falls freshman squad pounded New Holstein 72-27, as everyone on the team scored. Jake Meyer poured in 18 points and Jake Tenpas connected for 16.

The Falcons are now 4-1 in the EWC (5-2 overall).

BOYS BASKETBALL

Score by Quarters New Holstein…..…27 10 15 11 - 63 Sheboygan Falls…15 15 16 10 - 56

New Holstein scorers: Brett Boettcher 12, Derek Diefenthaler 5, Tyler Zipperer 10, Sam Cash 6, Chris Lefeber 16, Charlie Cash 12, Brandon Blatz 2.

Sheboygan Falls scorers: Alex Grabowski 2, Dan Duda 9, Andy Ansay 2, Lewis Halverson 7, Matt Hasler 12, Nick Roelse 12, Spencer Hurlburt 12.

Three point goals: New Holstein - Charlie Cash, Diefenthaler. Sheboygan Falls - Roelse, Hurlburt 2, Hasler, Duda 2, Halverson.

Statistics: New Holstein - field goals 26-44 (59 percent), free throws 9-14 (64 percent), rebounds 30, turnovers 11. Sheboygan Falls - field goals 22-58 (38 percent), free throws 5-9 (56 percent), rebounds _______________________ 24, turnovers 10.