By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School boys basketball team renews a simmering rivalry Friday when it plays host to Southern Lakes Conference opponent Burlington.
“(We have) lots of respect for their program and how hard they play,” Elks coach Josh Skatrud said. “Beating them would be a big step forward for us. They play really hard and have some really nice athletes, and are very well coached.
“We are hoping that there is a big crowd on hand for the conference home opener.”
Skatrud said the Elks last beat Burlington in the 2009 WIAA Division 1 regional finals. The Elks won 64-42 March 7, 2009 at home.
Last season, the Elks lost 52-42 to the Demons Dec. 10 at Burlington and 56-33 Jan. 31 at home. Burlington opened its 2014-15 season Dec. 4 with a 53-50 non-conference victory at Kenosha Bradford.
The Elks are 2-1 overall and on a two-game winning streak after beating Big Foot 49-37 Dec. 6 at home and Milton 37-36 Dec. 4 at Milton.
“(We) had a really nice first half, defensively,” Skatrud said of the Elks’ win against Big Foot. “We did not shoot the ball very well and missed a lot of free throws.”
The Elks led 28-11 at halftime and won despite being outscored 26-21 in the second half. Skatrud said the outcome was never in doubt against Big Foot (1-2), and said Elkhorn benefited from a balanced offense.
Joe Konopski led Elkhorn with 13 points. Aaron Wales added 11 and Shane Piasecki scored 10. Big Foot’s Chandler Hehr scored a game-high 15.
Wales assisted Alex Easterday late in regulation for the winning basket in the Elks’ victory against Milton (0-5).
“We were down 35-28 with a couple of minutes left and made some nice plays defensively down the stretch,” Skatrud said.
