Boys led through most of game, fell in last half of fourth quarter
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There was plenty to like for Big Foot boys basketball coach Mike Dowden Tuesday night.
For three quarters, Dowden’s squad did enough things well to put itself in position for a Rock Valley Conference win at Brodhead.
But in the end, it was the Cardinals who were just a bit better – in fact, by the slimmest of margins – as they sent the Chiefs to a disappointing 59-58 loss.
Big Foot fell to 1-1 in the RVC and 1-3 overall with the loss.
All signs pointed to a big road win right to the very end, Dowden said.
“We were up in the second half, had some bad possessions on both ends of the floor and blew it down the stretch,” he said. “I told the guys it was squarely on me. We did have a chance at the end, and they executed a good play but didn’t get (the shot) to go.
“For three quarters, we played how we need to play. For one quarter, we did not. We aren’t good enough to let possessions slip away.”
Big Foot jumped out to a 23-16 first-quarter lead and extended the advantage to 37-25 by halftime.
The Cardinals began to chip away in the third quarter and pulled to within five points at 50-45 heading into the game’s last eight minutes.
Dowden credited both teams for putting together a strong effort all night.
“(Brodhead) played tough, continued to battle all night and found a way down the stretch,” he said. “For three quarters, we moved the ball, played for each other and just worried about playing good basketball.
“Then we got a little emotional down the stretch, and that hurt us.”
Nico Tovar led the Chiefs with 12 points and nine rebounds, followed by Alex Landers with 11 points and Zak Greco with 10 points and five rebounds. Beau Cary chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Chandler Hehr added even points.
Landers, Greco and Hehr each had two 3-pointers.
While the loss certainly was disappointing, Dowden said his team can build from a strong three quarters.
“When we play the way we want to play, we will compete,” he said. “However, we have to do that all the time. Plus, I thought we shot the ball well from the outside and executed on certain situations well.”
Big Foot is back in action Friday night when it hosts Jefferson at 7:15 p.m. The Eagles fell to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the RVC Tuesday night with a 67-48 loss at East Troy.
Chiefs split two
Big Foot fell behind by 17 points at halftime Saturday afternoon and never could recover in a 49-37 non-conference loss at Elkhorn.
The Elks sprinted from the gate to start the game, as they led 15-8 after the first quarter and 28-11 by the intermission.
“They just out-played us on both ends,” Dowden said. “We couldn’t score against them, and then they would get long rebounds that translated right to points.
“In addition, any time they were in the half court, they still were able to execute and score.”
Hehr led Big Foot with 15 points, followed by Landers with eight and Mark Scahuf with five.
The Chiefs opened the week with a 54-46 RVC win Dec. 4 over visiting Parkview. The Chiefs outscored the Vikings 23-13 in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.
Cary led the way with 16 points, followed by Greco with 13 and Michael Heidenreich with eight.
Big Foot clinched the win from the free-throw line, where it made 11 of 15 attempts in the fourth quarter.
“We played together and for each other,” Dowden said. “When we do that, we are OK. When we don’t, we collapse quickly.”
