Boys remain undefeated in RVC action
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Opposing teams certainly know the offensive skills that East Troy’s A.J. Vukovich possesses.
But if they focus strictly on him, the Trojans have a number of other weapons they can deploy as well.
And that definitely was the case Monday at Big Foot.
East Troy’s Michael Polakoski poured in 29 points, Quinten Lottig drained eight 3-pointers and finished with 28 and Vukovich had 24 to lead the Trojans to a 98-71 Rock Valley Conference victory over the Chiefs.
The Trojans, who haven’t lost since their season opener back in November, improved to 15-1 overall and 13-0 in the RVC. East Troy, ranked eighth in Division 2 by WisSports.net, is four games ahead in the conference standings with five to play.
East Troy broke the game open in the last four minutes with an 18-4 run, as its defense stepped up after some struggles, coach Darryl Rayfield said.
“We got some stops and made the extra pass,” he said. “I thought we had a setback defensively. … As we move forward, that’s not how we’re going to be able to play to win a (big game).”
Maximum effort is the key for Polakoski, who averages 20.8 points a game, Rayfield said.
“He has a nose to get to the rim, he’s a good shooter, he’s just a really good offensive player because he runs the floor on every possession,” Rayfield said. “Teams are trying to stop him. They know they need to stop Michael Polakoski.
“When we have the ball, he is flying down the floor, and you have to locate him. He plays every offensive possession like it’s to save his life.”
Lottig was another spark Monday, as he hit eight treys and had a couple others that were halfway down the basket and came out, Rayfield said.
He’s another weapon the Trojans can turn to.
“(Big Foot) really triple-teamed A.J. everywhere,” Rayfield said. “We’re too good offensively to leave guys. (Lottig) did a nice job.”
As the Trojans move closer to the WIAA postseason run, having extra weapons can only help their cause, Rayfield said.
“The really good teams are always balanced,” he said. “We’re no different. We have a really good player (in Vukovich), but we have guys who are very good, too, that people don’t know much about yet, but they will.”
Chase Cummings added 10 points for the Trojans.
East Troy had been scheduled to travel to Clinton on Tuesday, but that game was postponed because of snow and moved to Saturday. The Trojans’ non-conference game with visiting Milwaukee Bay View on Saturday was canceled.
The Trojans host Evansville on Thursday and travel to Beloit Turner on Monday, Feb. 18.
East Troy holds on
Prior to Monday’s game with the Chiefs, the Trojans traveled to Jefferson and escaped with a 59-54 victory.
East Troy led by seven points at halftime and hung on from there.
Vukovich led the way with 27 points, followed by Polakoski with 20 and Lottig with nine.
“They play a 1-3-1, pack it in, and make you play each possession,” Rayfield said. “We didn’t shoot it very well. … We played the game we had to play it to get it done and just get out of there. Every team that I’ve had go to Jefferson, its always been a war. You forget what the record is. When East Troy goes to Jefferson, it’s a war.”
East Troy opened its week with a 75-36 RVC win Feb. 5 over visiting Whitewater.
Polakoski led four players in double figures with 24 points, followed by Vukovich with 21, Lottig with 12 and Ryan Nixon with 10.
