Chiefs fall to Elkhorn, triumph over Palmyra-Eagle
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There were plenty of chances to be had for the Big Foot boys basketball team Monday night.
But an early deficit just proved to be too much to overcome.
Big Foot fell behind 24-19 at halftime to visiting Elkhorn and couldn’t quite get over the hump in a 57-49 non-conference setback.
The loss dropped the Chiefs to 6-8 overall.
Big Foot coach Mike Dowden said both teams had opportunities in the first half to pull away.
“We both missed quite a bit of shots early in the game,” he said. “Then they were able to score on us early in the second half, but we were able to force some turnovers down the stretch to cut it close.
“We just couldn’t get it to one possession to put more pressure on them.”
Dowden said the combined 43 points in the first half by both teams wasn’t so much a reflection on solid defensive efforts as it was struggles on the offensive end.
“I don’t think (they did anything to stop us), but to be honest, I don’t think we did anything to them to make them have a slow start, either,” he said.
“I think it was just an ugly shooting night, and they were able to capitalize better than we were throughout the game.”
Michael Goralski led the way with 18 points and six rebounds, followed by Logan Eischeid with eight points and six rebounds and Beau Cary with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Goralski continues to put together solid efforts, Dowden said.
“He continues to figure out how to fit in, when to attack and when to make plays,” he said.
Chucky Rohner chipped in with six points, followed by Michael Heidenreich with eight rebounds and Mark Schauf with seven.
Big Foot took its 4-5 Rock Valley Conference game into a road game Thursday night at McFarland. The Chiefs host East Troy Tuesday, Feb. 2, in a crossover game with the North Division Trojans.
“We need to go to McFarland and fight for a road win,” Dowden said. “That is a tough place to play, and they are a good team.
“We have to keep improving for the rest of the year, but do our individual jobs to get a collective win this week.”
Big second half lifts Chiefs
Big Foot trailed 33-29 at halftime to host Palmyra-Eagle Jan. 22, but outscored the Panthers 38-21 in the final 18 minutes to pull out a 67-54 RVC victory.
“We finally decided to bring some energy and play together in a half,” Dowden said. “When we do that, we are OK. When we don’t, we aren’t very good. I think that was evident in the first half.”
Zak Greco led the way with 23 points and six rebounds for Big Foot.
“Zak shot the ball well in the second half,” Dowden said. “He has been shooting it much better when he takes good shots. I think his biggest issue is shot selection, and when he shoots good shots, he shoots a good percentage.”
Goralski added 17 points and five assists, followed by Cary with 13 points and nine rebounds. Schauf grabbed nine rebounds, while Heidenreich had seven.
