Go to Link below for complete FVA schedule – stats & standings
http://www.fvasports.net/page/show/1251334-boys-basketball
FOND DU LAC – A slow start and inconsistent play throughout were too much for the Fond du Lac boys basketball team to overcome on Thursday night.
Appleton West took a double-digit lead in the first half and eventually extended it to over 20 points in the second before holding off a Fond du Lac rally as the Terrors defeated the Cardinals 80-72 in Fox Valley Association play on Thursday night at Fond du Lac.
“No. 1, I thought our transition defense was poor early. A lot of easy baskets (for Appleton West),” Fond du Lac coach Mark Ziebell said of the Cardinals’ sluggish start. “I thought we had some possessions where we had two guys flying to the ball, leaving some shooters open. I didn’t think we got back and protected the hoop very well. I thought our post defense wasn’t very good. … We’re starting to see a theme now. Slow start and having to fight like crazy to get back in it. We’ve got to challenge our guys as coaches to get them out to a better start.”
Appleton West (10-8, 7-7 Fox Valley Association) never trailed in Thursday’s game, taking an 18-8 lead midway through the first half and going into halftime up 37-25.
The Terrors’ biggest advantage came midway through the second half at 59-37. Fond du Lac (10-8, 8-6 FVA) was able to chip away over the final 10 minutes or so, closing to within eight points on a few occasions, but couldn’t get over that hump.
Although the Cardinals did make the game interesting toward the end, that wasn’t much consolation to Ziebell.
“It’s putting it together for two full halves and at this point in the year, we should have that down,” he said. “As coaches, we’ve got to figure out a way where our kids will do that for a full game. … We’re starting to see that pattern and we’ve got to correct that.”
Caleb Goldstein led the Cardinals with a game-high 31 points, while Luke Loewe added 24 points. The Goldstein/Loewe combo sparked Fond du Lac’s comeback, but it still wasn’t enough to make up for the Cards’ woes prior to that.
Four players scored in double figures for Appleton West, with Jack and Will Mahoney leading the way with 15 points apiece. Blake Pahlow chipped in 14 points and Eli Hartjes had 13 points.
Although the end of the regular season is near, Ziebell knows there’s enough time for his team to bounce back and start playing more consistent basketball by the start of the playoffs.
“We’ve got four regular season games left and then the tournament starts, so we’ve got plenty of time to get it right,” he said. “We’ll work hard to do it. We’ve got kids who are good kids, coachable kids. All the pieces are there, we’ve just got to put it together and start doing it.”
| APPLETON WEST | 37 | 43 | — 80 |
| Fond du Lac | 25 | 47 | — 72 |
Appleton West — Jack Mahoney 15, Pinder Singh 6, Alec Goffard 2, Will Mahoney 15, Blake Pahlow 14, Eli Hartjes 13, Joey Reader 6, Josh Pitz 9. 3-pointers: 9 (Singh 2, W. Mahoney 4, Pahlow 2, Hartjes). FTs: 17-31. Fouls: 19 (J. Mahoney).
Fond du Lac — Caleb Goldstein 31, Jack Cole 2, Sam Fredrickson 4, Peyton Head 7, Luke Loewe 24, Jack Rusch 2, Devon Krznanowski 2. 3-pointers: 8 (Goldstein 5, Loewe 2, Head). FTs: 16-21. Fouls: 25.