By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School boys basketball team opened its season Nov. 29 playing point-for-point against one of the better squads the Elks will face this year.
“Obviously we would have liked to have found a way to pull out a win, but there were a lot of positives to take from it,” Elks coach Josh Skatrud said. “Verona is one of, if not the best, teams we will see all year and we were right there with them.”
The Elks lost to Verona 48-42 in a non-conference contest at home in the season opener for both teams and Skatrud’s first game as Elkhorn’s head coach.
Skatrud spent the last seven years at Elkhorn as the boys’ junior varsity coach and a varsity assistant. Skatrud took over for John Handel, who coached the Elks for 17 seasons.
The Elks led Verona 14-7 after the first quarter and 24-19 at halftime.
“We came out and played really well to start the game,” Skatrud said. “We knocked down a couple of shots and executed the game plan really well.
“They are a good team and had three guys returning who average double figures last season in the Big Eight Conference.”
The Wildcats controlled the game in the second half. Verona outscored Elkhorn 14-9 in the third quarter and 28-18 in the second half.
“Down the stretch they made a couple of big plays and we had a difficult time getting open looks,” Skatrud said. “Going 2-for-8 from the free throw line hurt as well. I’m very happy with the effort and execution of the game plan.”
Elkhorn’s Aaron Wales led all scorers with 16 points. Alex Easterday added 13.
Verona finished with three players in double figures. Jake Toman scored 15, Cole Schmitz 12 and Will Tellerman added 10.
The Elks play non-conference foe Milton (0-3) tonight at Milton. Milton lost 45-39 to Jefferson Nov. 29 in the consolation game of the Fort Atkinson HealthCare Classic at Fort Atkinson High School.
The Elks play Big Foot Saturday in a non-conference game at home.
“Milton and Big Foot are tough, physical teams,” Skatrud said. “We will need to match their physicality and rebound. Milton is a very tough place to play and they will be hungry for a win.”
