By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
The Elks squandered a seven-point halftime lead and lost 71-54 Feb. 16 at home in a Southern Lakes Conference boys high school basketball game against Union Grove.
The Elks beat Waterford 72-63 Feb. 13 at home in a SLC contest.
Elkhorn (14-7, 9-4 SLC) played Badger Thursday in Lake Geneva in the final game of the Elks’ regular season.
The Elks open WIAA Division 2 regional play March 3 at home against Union Grove. Elks coach Josh Skatrud called the recent loss to the Broncos disappointing.
“We pulled ahead right before halftime and scored at will the first few possessions of the second half,” Skatrud said. “They caught fire, and we were never able to slow them down.”
The Broncos outscored the Elks 49-25 in the second half. The Elks led 29-22 at halftime.
“Although it was tough to lose, I’m hoping it can be a blessing in disguise,” Skatrud said. “Sometimes winning hides your flaws, and we had some that were uncovered.”
Skatrud said he thinks the Elks can win some games in the postseason, and said the loss to Union Grove might serve as wake-up call that pays dividends in the long run.
The Broncos beat the Elks 64-41 Jan. 6 at Union Grove in a SLC contest.
Alex Easterday led the Elks with 16 points in the most recent meeting with the Broncos. Luke Umnus and Ross Ingersoll each scored 12 points for the Elks.
Jacob Ross led the Broncos (12-8, 8-5 SLC) with 12 points.
Against Waterford, Skatrud said the Elks went through stretches where they played well, and others where they struggled.
“To their credit, they shot the ball really well and battled back into the game,” Skatrud said of the Wolverines. “They really focused on trying to stop Easterday.”
Skatrud said Waterford sometimes stacked three players around the Elks’ post player, to the advantage of Ingersoll. Ingersoll led all scorers with a game-high 23 points.
The Elks 40-34 at halftime, and outscored the Wolverines (4-16, 4-9 SLC) 32-29 in the second half.
Umnus added nine for the Elks. Jesse Krueger led the Wolverines with 21 points.
