By Daniel Schoettler
Correspondent
Whitewater Whippets boys basketball head coach Dan Gnatzig said after the team’s recent game against Beloit Turner that he was proud of the Whippets’ performance, despite coming up short.
“I’m really proud of the way we battled,” Gnatzig said after the Jan. 31 game. “We stuck to the game plan for the most part, we had small lapses and I thought our kids focused and game plan was executed.”
The Whippets fell in a deep whole early falling behind 6-0.
After a Bryce Parrish basket, the Whippets later cut it to two at 15-13 before Beloit Turner brought the leadback to seven after a three-pointer and other field goals to make it 24-17.
Beloit Turner extended the lead to nine to make it 28-19. Daniel Fuller and Parrish helped cut the Beloit Turner lead to three before Beloit Turner extended the lead back to five at 32-27 at the half.
“I think in the first half we would have liked to get off to a quicker start by hitting some shots,” Gnatzig said. “I liked the looks we got early they didn’t fall, but I also liked how we were covering them defensively.”
In the second half, Beloit Turner extended the lead to 52-41. Roberto Navejas and Parrish both helped cut it to nine two separate times in the second half before Beloit Turner sealed it to get the 63-53 win.
Parrish led the Whippets in scoring with 24. Logan
“It was a pretty gutsy performance,” Gnatzig said. “It is amazing the player he is – scores 24 and doesn’t get to the line once, so we got to get him to continue to get to the rim and if he can get to the line it will be harder for other teams.”
Rasmussen had 11 points against Beloit Turner.
Whippets play Oregon
On Jan. 30, the Whippets played a tough game on the road against Oregon.
“We just got to continue to improve on stuff we do,” Gnatzig said. “The little things offensively and defensively still hurt us.”
The Whippets lost to Oregon on the road in a 60-33 defeat.
James Diedrich and Roberto Navejas led the Whippets in points with six. Fuller had five.
“We got outhustled and outplayed most of the game,” Gnatzig said. “We didn’t hit many shots or play defensive really well and they played hard.”
Whippets face tough challenge vs. McFarland
Logan Rasmussen led all Whippet scorers in Whitewater’s Feb. 3 game against McFarland, as he scored nine points.
However, the Whippets came up short against McFarland, losing 65-39.
Parrish had seven points against McFarland.
The Whippets return home this Tuesday, Feb. 14, and will play Evansville at 7:15 p.m.
