By David Paulsen
Correspondent
After getting their second win of the season over Brodhead Jan. 15, the Whitewater High School boys basketball team could not keep up with McFarland Friday in a 60-42 Rock Valley Conference loss.
Cory Frank, the leading scorer in the RVC, led McFarland with 17 points.
“He was the deciding factor,” head coach Dan Gnatzig said.
Both teams were consistent in this game, but for McFarland that meant averaging 15 points per quarter, while for Whitewater it meant 10 points per quarter.
McFarland led by six after one quarter, 11 at the half and 16 after three periods.
Scott Gorsuch had a nice game for the Whippets with 10 points.
Whitewater was just seven of 15 from the foul line, while McFarland sank 14 of 22 free throws.
The loss dropped the Whippets to 2-14 overall, and 2-8 in the RVC.
Victory over Brodhead
Three days earlier at Brodhead, the Whippet boys earned their second win of the season with a 58-53 victory.
“That was a nice win,” Gnatzig said. “We battled.”
Whitewater led 12-9 after one quarter, but fell behind 19-17 at the half.
The Whippets came out strong in the third quarter, though, outscoring Brodhead 24-9 to take a 41-28 lead into the final eight minutes.
“We got out in transition,” Gnatzig said, noting that the transition game led to some easy baskets.
Seven Whippet boys scored in that third quarter.
Brodhead made a run in the fourth quarter, sinking five three-pointers to get within three, but Whitewater held on for the win.
In that fourth quarter, the Whippets sank 11 of 15 free throws.
“That was the key to the game,” Gnatzig noted.
Rigo Navejas led Whitewater with 14 points, with Dustin Hayes adding 10.
“He hasn’t had a double-digit game in a long time,” Gnatzig said of Hayes.
Schedule
Next week, the Whippet boys will be at Parkview on Tuesday, Jan. 29, and will host Jefferson on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7:15 p.m.
“I’m hoping we come back strong,” Gnatzig said. “There are some games left (on the schedule) that are definitely winnable.”
BOX SCORES
Vs. McFarland
MCF 16 15 15 14 – 60
WW 10 10 10 12 – 42
WW: Gorsuch 10, Navejas 8, Pelayo 8, Harms 5, Michaels 4, Schumacher 2, Stoll 2, Tautges 2, Hayes 1
Vs. Brodhead
WW 12 5 24 17 – 58
BROD 9 10 9 25 – 53
WW: Navejas 14, Hayes 10, Pelayo 9, Juoni 6, Tautges 5, Bullis 4, Gorsuch 2, Michaels 2, Stoll 2
