By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
The Delavan-Darien boys basketball team put on an inspired effort Feb. 9 in an effort to get its first win of the season but fell 71-52 at home to Milton. The game turned tense in the second half and even more extreme after the game.
The crowd provided a playoff-like atmosphere once it sensed the Comets had a chance to win mid-way through the first half. It was a great atmosphere for a high school basketball game, Coach Chris Hembrook said, who added that the game itself was very intense.
The situation took a turn after the game as a Milton player or players allegedly shouted a racial slur at the Comet student section or players on the way to the locker room, according to several witnesses. Two Delavan-Darien players allegedly tried to confront those who had made comments outside their locker room. That led to an alleged confrontation involving a Milton assistant coach.
D-DHS Athletic Director Guy Otte said no arrests were made and no tickets were issued on the scene but security footage will be reviewed to see if further action is warranted.
Delavan Police Chief Jim Hansen said his officers were told that a Milton player made a disparaging remark toward the Delavan-Darien players while leaving the court, some Comet players followed the Milton players, and a Milton coach denied them entrance to the locker room. Hansen confirmed security footage is being reviewed so all leads can be followed up on toward a reasonable conclusion.
Comets keep it close
The Comets took an early 3-2 lead in the game itself on a three-pointer by Colin Terpstra. Milton led 9-7 before Jack Campion and Jared Brown hit three-pointers to give the Red Hawks some separation. Brown’s three-pointer gave Milton a 17-7 lead.
Delavan-Darien got back into it with an 8-1 run. Braeden Hembrook had five of thosee points, including a three-pointer that made it 18-15. A three-pointer by Sam Burdette made it 21-15 and a basket by Bennett Buswell increased the lead to 23-15, but the Comets came back again cutting the lead to 23-22 at the half on a three-pointer by Oliver Hetzel.
“We played a very good first half offensively and defensively,” Hembrook said. “I was encouraged going into the half.”
Read more game coverage in the Feb. 14 Delavan Enterprise.
