The Blackhawks' boys basketball team thrilled the home crowd with a solid win against the 11-0 8th ranked Spencer Rockets at the Owen-Withee Gymnasium by a final 64-56 score.
Both teams were eager to play coming off the holiday break, with the Hawks getting a nice post-to-post pass between Jack Wendler and Preston Fritz for a hoop, followed by hoops from Wendler and Winston Poehler which gave the Blackhawks a slim 6-5 lead. Talon Mueller would extend the lead with a steal and lay-up followed next by a Colton Paczkowski three. The Rockets answered with some inside hoops. The Blackhawks got a big contribution from Fritz in the half as he scored eight points. Poehler would hit a three to give the Hawks the 28-22 advantage. The Blackhawks would lead at the half by eight, 30-22.
The Hawks came out strong in the second half, a quick hoop by Fritz and then Paczkowski hit Poelher on a cut to the basket along with a Wendler putback making it 38-25. More offense kept the lead in check as Talon Mueller scored along with four from Paczkowski. The Blackhawks' offense was working inside and outside. The Rockets however made a solid run cutting the lead to 47-44, but a pair of free throws by Fritz and a cut and score by Talon Mueller made the lead six. With two minutes left and the Hawks lead at two, Talon Mueller made a strong drive and finish. The Hawks then made many key stops on the defensive end and finished the Rockets off on the free throw line making 9 of 13 in the end winning 64-56.
The Blackhawks shot 22 of 51 from the floor and won the battle on the boards 34-29 and had 12 steals on the game.
Box Score: Poehler 27 pts, 11 rebs, 2 asts, 3 stls; Fritz 12 pts, 3 rebs, 4 stls; T. Mueller 9 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts; Paczkowski 7 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 2 stls; Wendler 6 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts; Pyrchalla 3 pts, 2 rebs; C. Mueller 5 rebs, 2 stls.
Coach's Comments
We were consistent on both ends and knew what we needed and had to do. The guys really moved the ball well, side to side and inside out. We got some nice rhythm shots that we knocked down. We were focused and earned that win.