By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The third time did not prove to be the charm for the Elkhorn Area High School boys basketball team.
The Elks lost 51-47 March 3 at home in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game to Union Grove. It is Elkhorn’s third loss to the Broncos this season.
Coach Josh Skatrud said the Elks struggled to find a rhythm and play at the proper tempo against the Broncos.
“For some reason, we have struggled with the tempo that they play at, and we have not been able to get stops against them when we really need them,” Skatrud said. “They really slowed down the game, and we were really impatient on offense.
“We took some quick shots, and that allowed them to shorten the game.”
The Broncos beat Elkhorn 64-41 Jan. 6 at Union Grove and 71-54 Feb. 16 at Elkhorn this season in Southern Lakes Conference play.
Skatrud said time of possession from the game likely skews heavily in favor of the Broncos. Union Grove led 18-12 at halftime. The Elks outscored the Broncos 35-33 in the second half.
“I went into the game feeling good about where we were at, but I was nervous that they would pack the paint and we could be in trouble if we did not shoot well,” Skatrud said. “For most of the game, we did not (shoot well).”
Alex Easterday led the Elks with 13 points. Ross Ingersoll added 12 and Vince Umnus scored 11 for the Elks. Jack Pettit led the Broncos (14-10) with a game-high 20 points.
Union Grove, seeded fifth in the regional bracket, lost 73-39 to No. 1-seeded Westosha Central March 4 at Paddock Lake in the regional final.
Central plays 10th-seeded Wilmot tonight in a sectional semifinal at Clinton. The winner plays either Waunakee or Monona Grove in the sectional final for a berth at state.
The Elks, seeded fourth in the regional bracket, finished the season with an overall record of 15-8, which marks a nine-win improvement from last season.
“When I met with the kids at the end of last season I told them the standard is to compete for championships,” Skatrud said. “We took a step in that direction this season.
Skatrud said the Elks posted wins against three of the final four teams left in their sectional, and remained in the hunt for the Southern Lakes Conference title up until the last week of the regular season.
“While we did not win a championship, we were right in the running for most of the season,” Skatrud said. “Like any season, there are always a couple of things I wish would have happened differently, but there were a lot of positives to take away.
“I’m very proud of our players and coaches for this season’s success.”
By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The third time did not prove to be the charm for the Elkhorn Area High School boys basketball team.
The Elks lost 51-47 March 3 at home in a WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal game to Union Grove. It is Elkhorn’s third loss to the Broncos this season.
Coach Josh Skatrud said the Elks struggled to find a rhythm and play at the proper tempo against the Broncos.
“For some reason, we have struggled with the tempo that they play at, and we have not been able to get stops against them when we really need them,” Skatrud said. “They really slowed down the game, and we were really impatient on offense.
“We took some quick shots, and that allowed them to shorten the game.”
The Broncos beat Elkhorn 64-41 Jan. 6 at Union Grove and 71-54 Feb. 16 at Elkhorn this season in Southern Lakes Conference play.
Skatrud said time of possession from the game likely skews heavily in favor of the Broncos. Union Grove led 18-12 at halftime. The Elks outscored the Broncos 35-33 in the second half.
“I went into the game feeling good about where we were at, but I was nervous that they would pack the paint and we could be in trouble if we did not shoot well,” Skatrud said. “For most of the game, we did not (shoot well).”
Alex Easterday led the Elks with 13 points. Ross Ingersoll added 12 and Vince Umnus scored 11 for the Elks. Jack Pettit led the Broncos (14-10) with a game-high 20 points.
Union Grove, seeded fifth in the regional bracket, lost 73-39 to No. 1-seeded Westosha Central March 4 at Paddock Lake in the regional final.
Central plays 10th-seeded Wilmot tonight in a sectional semifinal at Clinton. The winner plays either Waunakee or Monona Grove in the sectional final for a berth at state.
The Elks, seeded fourth in the regional bracket, finished the season with an overall record of 15-8, which marks a nine-win improvement from last season.
“When I met with the kids at the end of last season I told them the standard is to compete for championships,” Skatrud said. “We took a step in that direction this season.
Skatrud said the Elks posted wins against three of the final four teams left in their sectional, and remained in the hunt for the Southern Lakes Conference title up until the last week of the regular season.
“While we did not win a championship, we were right in the running for most of the season,” Skatrud said. “Like any season, there are always a couple of things I wish would have happened differently, but there were a lot of positives to take away.
“I’m very proud of our players and coaches for this season’s success.”
