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FOND DU LAC – The shots simply weren’t falling like normal for the Fond du Lac boys basketball team on Friday night.
Whether it was Neenah’s defense, a slower pace of play or just an off game, the Cardinals couldn’t seem to get into an offensive flow.
It was the difference in the contest.
Neenah had three players score in double digits and the Rockets held off Fond du Lac down the stretch as they edged the Cardinals 60-54 in Fox Valley Association play Friday night at Fond du Lac.
“Offensively, I felt we weren’t patient,” Fond du Lac coach Mark Ziebell said. “I thought when we were able to move the ball to multiple sides of the floor, three or four times we were able to get some looks. But we weren’t patient. You contrast that with what (Neenah) was doing offensively, being very patient, willing to make multiple passes to break us down. We didn’t do that and I think that’s something we’ve got to get to come tournament time. They’re all going to be grinders and we’ve got to be willing to grind on the offensive end.”
Neenah (9-7, 6-6 Fox Valley Association) took a 9-8 lead on a Jordan Mascal bucket early in the first half and would stay in front the rest of the way, though the Rockets could never push beyond a nine-point advantage.
Fond du Lac (9-7, 7-5 FVA) was able to cut Neenah’s lead to a single point late in the first half and continuously threatened in the second half, but couldn’t ever quite jump on top.
Every time the Cardinals made a bit of a run to gain momentum, the Rockets would quash it with a basket on the other end or convert at the free-throw line — going 17 of 24 for the game.
Mascal led the Rockets with 17 points, while Logan Morrow chipped in 16 points and Joe Jung had 14 points. Although Neenah wasn’t flashy offensively, hitting only a single 3-pointer, the Rockets milked the clock, got to the charity stripe and made the Cardinals’ defense work.
“I thought defensively we didn’t have the same energy or ball pressure that we’ve had here recently, certainly the last game with Hortonville, and we’ve got to make that a habit,” Ziebell said. “It can’t be that light switch situation. But I think our kids will respond. We’ve responded all year. We’ve had some adversity and we’ve always bounced back. But we learned a lot about ourselves today.”
Luke Loewe paced Fond du Lac with a game-high 18 points, while Sam Fredrickson chipped in 15 points. Caleb Goldstein added nine points.
The Cardinals’ 54 points on Friday tied its lowest point total in a game during the 2016-17 season. Fond du Lac also scored 54 points in a loss to Oshkosh North back on Dec. 8.
“Drew (Jorgensen) is a very good shooter and he didn’t shoot very well. Caleb is a great shooter and he didn’t shoot it very well,” Ziebell said. “Sure, we missed shots. Certainly you’ve got to credit their defense tonight, too. They had us well-scouted and knew what we were trying to get to. I think that’s where that patience comes in. Taking a good shot and then really working to get a great shot. I think that’s what we have to focus on. … When that shot’s not falling, that’s where that patience becomes even more important. I just didn’t feel we were willing to do that on a consistent basis today.”
| NEENAH | 30 | 30 | — 60 |
| Fond du Lac | 25 | 29 | — 54 |
Neenah — Josh Mericle 6, Joe Jung 14, Logan Morrow 16, Jordan Mascal 17, Zavier Sims 4, Anthony Bartman 3. 3-pointers: 1 (Mascal). FTs: 17-24. Fouls: 15.
Fond du Lac — Caleb Goldstein 9, Drew Jorgensen 5, Sam Fredrickson 15, Peyton Head 2, Luke Loewe 18, Ian Spletter 1, Devon Krzanowski 4. 3-pointers: 3 (Goldstein, Jorgensen, Loewe). FTs: 15-24. Fouls: 19.