Boys teams nets first win in game with rival
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
In just its second game of the year Monday night, the Big Foot boys basketball team faced a stiff test late in its rivalry matchup at Williams Bay.
And while it’s certainly still early, the young Chiefs passed that test.
Big Foot came up big on both ends of the floor when it counted most in a 72-67 nonconference victory. The win improved the Chiefs to 1-1 overall.
Those plays in a hard-fought game were key, Big Foot coach Mike Dowden said.
“We were able to get some stops and some key scores down the stretch at the time that they were not able to do so,” he said.
“For as young a team as we have, I thought we were able to stay composed and execute very well. In addition, guys made plays, and that always leads to good results.”
Big Foot led 34-32 at halftime and outscored the Bulldogs by three in the last 18 minutes to hang on for the win.
Senior Beau Cary led the way with 26 points, including three 3-pointers – as he rebounded from some shooting struggles in the opener, his coach said.
“He shot the ball very poorly (against Milton), and he knows he couldn’t come out and do that again,” Dowden said. “I thought he was in attack mode all night, and we need him to be that way at all times. I was most impressed with his composure and leadership at the end of the game.”
Cary, 6-foot-6, spent some time matched up with Williams Bay’s 6-5 senior, Avery Lettenberger, who finished with 15 points.
But foul trouble kept those meetings in the post limited, Dowden said.
“After Beau got in foul trouble, there was not a lot of head-to-head against Lettenberger,” he said. “We both played other guys on them to save fouls.”
Others in double figures
Other leaders for the Chiefs were Jackson Enz with 13 points, Logan Eischeid with 12, Max Hildebrandt with six and Nelson Tovar with five.
Big Foot, which made five 3-pointers, also was 11-for-19 from the free-throw line.
“Balanced (scoring) is always a good thing for us,” Dowden said. “In addition, it was great to see Jackson have a good 13 (points). I thought he took great shots all night and did what he was asked.
“Logan started a bit cold, but found his stroke with some important drives and a big (3-pointer) when we were down 64-59.”
Caleb Eddington led the Bulldogs with 22 points, followed by Cory Shea and Lettenberger with 15. Williams Bay knocked down seven 3-pointers and was 12-for-25 from the free-throw line.
“They shot the ball really well, and we weren’t as good with our zone (defense) as I had hoped,” Dowden said. “We need to be better, and they took advantage of that early.
“In addition, they had way too many shots at the basket, and that caused us a lot of issues. Credit their offense, but we know our defense has to improve rapidly as well.”
Dowden said the matchup with Williams Bay, which is only about five miles away, always is a fun one – but not necessarily for himself and Williams Bay’s longtime head coach, Troy Nottestad.
“I think the game is more fun for the kids and the parents than for the coaches,” Dowden said. “Some kids play together on tennis, soccer, club teams, etc., so they know each other pretty well. It is always nice to play one another.”
