By Daniel Schoettler
Correspondent
The Whippets boys basketball team used a strong offensive performance in the first half of a game against Jefferson last week to coast to victory.
In the game on Feb. 24, the Whippets used a hot first half to grab the lead on the Eagles as they outscored Jefferson 26-8.
“We played good defense and finished shots around the basket early,” head coach Dan Gnatzig said.
It was senior night for the Whippets and they got big impacts from senior Logan Rasmussen with 21, while Bryce Parrish had seven in the win.
“It was a great way for our team and seniors to finish out the regular season at home,” Gnatzig said. “Rasmussen had a great game defensively and gave us energy leading us with 21 points and four dunks.”
Junior Daniel Fuller was the other Whippet in double digits with 13.
In the second half both teams scored 24 points, but with Whitewater’s strong first half, it was more than enough for the Whippets to get the 50-32 win.
“We played good defense and finished shots around the basket early,” Gnatzig said.
Whippets play conference rival
Whippets preceded their game against Jefferson with a matchup against another Rock Valley Conference rival, Evansville.
Despite falling behind early at 8-2, Whitewater followed up with a rally to tie the game at eight.
However, Evansville climbed back on top at 22-12 at the half.
“(In the) first half, we struggled to score,” Gnatzig said. “I thought we played fairly good defense, but struggled to hit shots and felt like we were playing kind of in slow motion.”
The Evansville lead in the second half stayed at double digits the rest of the way as the largest lead they had was 17 at 35-18. The closest the Whippets cut the Blue Devils’ lead to in the second half was at 40-33 after a Logan Rasmussen free throw.
“It is a good team battling for a conference title, and when you give them opportunities it is tough to beat them,” Gnatzig said.
After the Whippets cut the lead down to seven, the lead for Evansville got bigger. Evansville extended the lead to 14 to get the 55-41 win.
“Until we beat a team above (.500) or playing like that, I don’t know if we are believing if we are at that level,” Gnatzig said. “If we continue to work hard and we can get a win against a team like that, I think the confidence will be a big part of the rest of the season.
“We are playing with confidence and we just need more consistency in all areas. We need to continue to gain momentum in the Regionals by playing good basketball against our next two opponents.”
Rasmussen led the Whippets in points with 17. Fuller and Bryce Parrish each had eight.
