By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Failure to get back on defense, and overall lethargic play spelled defeat for the Union Grove High School boys basketball team Dec. 21 against Elkhorn. The Elks came onto the Broncos court and emerged with a 64-58 win in Southern Lakes Conference action.
With the loss, Union Grove fell to 4-6 overall this season, and 2-3 in the SLC. It was the boys third straight SLC loss after starting the conference season 2-0.
The Bronco boys had an 11-9 lead after one quarter off seven points from Andrew Kazikowski. But they were unable to stop Elkhorn’s Drew Bryson in the second quarter, as Bryson scored 12 points in that period, one point more than entire Bronco team.
With a 19-11 advantage in the second quarter, the Elks took a 28-22 lead at the half.
“In the second quarter, we had a spurt where we had a hard time scoring,” head coach David Pettit noted.
Elkhorn expanded its lead to 46-37 after three quarters.
At one point in the second half, the Broncos found themselves trailing by 15 points. In the fourth quarter, Union Grove cut the lead to six points, but that was as close as they would get.
“Our kids battled back. That was good to see,” Pettit said. “We dug ourselves a pretty big hole.”
The Broncos were unable to stop Bryson in the game, as he led all scorers with 27 points.
Kazikowski had steady throughout the game for Union Grove, tallying 20 points. Grant Beck added 16.
“Grant Beck played real nice,” Pettit said. “We put him in the middle against their 1-2 press and he got some layups.”
A total of 54 free throws were shot in this game, with Union Grove making 14 of 26, and Elkhorn 16 of 28.
The Broncos next action is not until Saturday, Jan. 5, when the boys will host Shoreland Lutheran in a 7 p.m. non-conference game.
They will be at West Allis Hale on Tuesday, Jan. 8, for a 7:30 p.m. non-conference matchup.
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