By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There were several times last Thursday night when the Big Foot boys basketball team did good things in its Rock Valley Conference contest against visiting Edgerton.
Unfortunately for the Chiefs, there just weren’t enough of them.
Big Foot led by one point at halftime but a 17-10 third-quarter deficit proved to be the difference in a 52-47 loss. The Chiefs fell to 1-6 in the RVC and 2-11 overall.
“We had many good moments in the game but couldn’t finish down the stretch to win the game,” Big Foot coach Mike Dowden said. “Anthony Williams played a great game and had a great spark for us.
“Defensively, I thought we looked really good, but still have to finish possessions with rebounds and find someone who can hit an outside shot.”
Edgerton built its biggest lead at seven points in the fourth quarter before the Chiefs pulled to within four points with 30 seconds remaining.
But two Big Foot turnovers and made free throws by the Tide were the difference as the Chiefs couldn’t complete the comeback.
“That is part of being in close games with a team not used to being in close games,” Dowden said. “We have to focus and execute down the stretch in tough games and get better at finishing.”
For the game, Edgerton made 15 of 21 free-throw attempts, compared to just four of 12 for Big Foot.
That 11-point difference definitely played a role in the final outcome, Dowden said.
“They always play a big role, and we didn’t do a good job at the line,” he said. “We need to be better getting there and better finishing once we do.”
Beau Cary led the Chiefs with 11 points, followed by Williams with 10, including two 3-pointers. Nico Tovar was next with six points, while Zak Greco chipped in with five.
Williams’ play was a highlight, Dowden said.
“That was one of his better offensive games in a long time,” he said.
Offensively, Dowden said his team needed to do a better job to combat the Tide’s packed-in defense.
“They packed the lane real tight, and we have to cut harder and hit some stuff outside to bring them out to guard us,” he said. “That will open it up for Nico and everyone else.”
Big Foot is back in action Friday night when it hosts Palmyra-Eagle at 7:15 p.m. The Panthers fell to 3-11 overall and 0-8 in the RVC Tuesday night with a 51-13 loss at McFarland.
This is exam week for the Big Foot students, so keeping their focus both on school and basketball will be a trick, Dowden said.
“This is always a tough mental week due to finals and such, but we need to take care of our school work and then take care of our hoops as well,” he said. “We will have to compete on Friday and find a way to hit some shots.”
