Higgins named to all- conference team
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
For two quarters in last week’s Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 5 sectional semifinal contest, the Williams Bay High School boys basketball team hung tough with Trailways Conference rival Hustisford.
But in the end, the Falcons just had a bit too much firepower for the Bulldogs to overcome.
Williams Bay trailed by just seven points at halftime but Hustisford outscored the Bulldogs by nine the last two quarters en route to a 57-41 victory.
The loss ended Williams Bay’s season at 15-11 overall. Hustisford fell to Young Coggs Prep 57-36 in the sectional final two nights later.
“We came out and played very hard in the first two quarters, but left too many points out there,” Williams Bay coach Troy Nottestad said. “We missed too many free throws and too many missed chances in the paint.”
Hustisford turned its 32-25 first-quarter lead into a 50-33 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, as the Falcons simply wore down the Bulldogs, Nottestad said.
“Half the team was sick, and you could see our energy level go down some in that quarter,” he said. “They are a hard matchup for us, as they have a good balance of perimeter and post players.
“Overall, I thought we battled well. They were just better than us on that night.”
John Higgins led the Bulldogs with 13 points, followed by Cory Shea with 11 and Brayden Pape with five.
Even in defeat, there were plenty of positives for the Bulldogs to remember from the season, Nottestad said.
“I was very pleased with the way we came together at the end of the season,” he said. “We had some injury and sickness problems late in the year, but to this bunch of guys’ credit, they never once used it as an excuse.
“They were out there to compete for each other and were not going to let anything get in their way. To say that I was proud of these young men at the end of the season would be an understatement.”
Ending their Bulldogs’ careers were Higgins, Pape, Brad Quin, Jake Landgraf and Drew Olson – and all five will be missed, Nottestad said.
“Our senior class brought it all,” he said. “We never have had all of our seniors be captain until this year. All five guys brought something to the team that was vital to our success. They will be sorely missed.”
Higgins earns honor
Higgins, who last week surpassed the 1,000-point plateau for his career, also was named to the first-team, All-Trailways Conference squad this week, Nottestad said.
For the season, Higgins had 383 points (14.7 per game), as he made 142 of 269 field goals, 61 of 106 free throws and eight 3-pointers. He also led the team in rebounds with 229 (9.2) and had 37 assists, 28 steals and 26 blocked shots.
Nottestad was pleased that Higgins was honored, but added there was more to the season than any individual achievement.
“Some of the other guys just missed it,” he said. “Coaches tend to look too much at numbers instead of what some kids bring to the court every night.
“I thought a couple more of our players should have gotten recognition, but they were all about team any ways. They are more excited about the (regional title) banner that will hang in the gym.”
