Long-range shooting assault lifts Falls past Two Rivers

A 3-point shooting barrage to close the third quarter vaulted the Sheboygan Falls Falcons to a 57-42 triumph over the Two Rivers Purple Raiders in Eastern Wisconsin Conference boys basketball action Friday, Jan. 22, in Sheboygan Falls.

With its third-straight victory, the Falcons improved to 3-4 in the EWC (7-6 overall) and moved into a fourth-place tie in the conference standings. Two Rivers fell to 3-4 in the EWC, with the loss.

“We made some big shots in the third quarter,” said Falcons coach Eric Spielman. “This was a nice defensive game and we were patient on offense.”

The Falcons held a slim lead of 28-26 in the final minutes of the third quarter, before senior Dan Duda nailed a pair of 3-pointers and senior Spencer Hurlburt threw down another 3-point shot to help Falls finish the period with a flurry.

“Those were huge 3-pointers to end the third period,” said Duda. “Our team played well. Everyone was looking for an open pass.”

Two Rivers never recovered, as Falls continued pull away in the fourth quarter. While the Purple Raiders struggled to hit a shot from beyond the 3-point arc, the Falcons stayed hot.

After Two Rivers cut the lead to 37-30, Falls went on a 15-2 run, triggered by a 3-point shot by senior Lewis Halverson.

The Falcons also found success from the free-throw line, hitting 11-of-16 shots and building a 55-34 lead, when the Purple Raiders tried to foul in the last four minutes of the game.

Two Rivers started the first quarter hitting four 3-pointers, but never made one in the second half.

Duda hit a 3-point goal to begin the game, as Falls built an early 8-3 lead, following another 3-pointer from Halverson.

Junior Nick Roelse made two shots and junior Matt Hasler scored on an assist from Roelse to stretch the Falls lead to 14-9 at the end the first quarter.

The Purple Raiders fought back in the second quarter, when a string of 3-point shots and a jumper by Kraig Shillcox gave them a 16-15 advantage.

Hurlburt came back with a 3-point shot of his own to put the Falcons back on top 18-16.

Falls finished the first half on a 6-2 run, with baskets from Halverson, Roelse and senior Corey Blizzard.

“We knew as long as we kept playing tough defense, we could play with them,” said Hurlburt. “We’re playing better as a team now, and we need to prove something against Waupun next week.”

Cole Heili played his best game of the season, scoring 21 points to lead the Falls junior varsity team to a 72-48 win over Two Rivers.

Bobby Musil also had a strong game with 16 points for Falls, while Zach Van Engen and Aaron Krueger added 12 points apiece.

The Falcons JV unit improved to 3-4 in the EWC (8-5 overall), with the win.

“Our defense stepped up,” said JV coach Jeff Duda. “Now we are coming together as a team.”

The Falcon freshman squad also won big, with Jacob Tenpas posting 24 points in a 58-41 blowout over Two Rivers.

The freshman unit improved to 5-1 in the EWC (8-2 overall).

BOYS
BASKETBALL
TWO RIVERS
	42
SHEBOYGAN
FALLS	57

Score by Quarters
Two Rivers……….….9 11 6 16 - 42
Sheboygan Falls…14 10 13 20 - 57
Two Rivers scoring: David Werner 2, Shawn Shillcox 4, Blake Loucks 2, Jalen Franko 3, Scott Kuether 6, Kraig
Shillcox 5, Brett Linzmeier 8, Dan Suave 2, Spencer Smith 2, Zach Chynoweth 2, Dusty Lachowisz 6.
Sheboygan Falls scoring: Alex Grabowski 2, Jason Fenner 2, Dan Duda 11, Andy Ansay 2, Lewis Halverson 9, Corey
Blizzard 2, Zach Berg 6, Nick Roelse 13, Spencer Hurlburt 8, Matt Hasler 2.
Three-point goals: Two Rivers - Franko, Kuether 2, Kraig Shillcox. Sheboygan Falls - Duda 3, Halverson 2, Hurlburt 2.
Statistics: Two Rivers - field goals 18, free throws 2-4 (50 percent). Sheboygan Falls - field goals 19-47 (40 percent), free throws 12-21 (57 percent), rebounds _______________________ 30, turnovers 15.