By Bud Milroy
Sports Correspondent
The struggles of the Catholic Central High School boys basketball team continued into the new year last week, as the Hilltoppers dropped back-to-back home games.
On Friday, the Hilltoppers faced off with conference rival Racine Lutheran and fell 58-50, then lost to Faith Christian Saturday at 40-35.
In the loss to Racine Lutheran, Catholic Central managed just four points in the first quarter and nine points in the second and trailed 29-13 at the half. Despite some poor shooting, the Hilltoppers’ 15 turnovers didn’t help, either.
“Give a lot of credit to Racine Lutheran for their intense defense and creating most of those first half turnovers, but we did a terrible job handling the ball,” said coach Eric Henderson. “We did better in the second half and got back into the game, but it was just too much for us to overcome.”
Bailey Wright had a solid game for the Hilltoppers, tossing in a game-high 22 points. Lutheran had three players score in double figures, with Clay Stevens leading the way with 19 points.
Catholic Central appeared to be on its way to victory Saturday night, leading 30-25 going into the fourth quarter against Faith Christian.
Adam Montsma, who came into the contest averaging 28.1 points per game, scored the first nine points of the fourth to turn the five-point deficit into a four-point lead with three minutes to play.
Wright knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key to pull the Hilltoppers within one with a minute to play. However, Faith Christian was able to close out the contest by hitting six of six free throws.
Montsma led all scorers with 22 points, while Spencer Wilker paced Catholic Central with 10 points and Wright followed with nine.
“We didn’t shoot well,” said Henderson, with his team shooting 21 percent overall and 12.5 percent from 3-point land. “We need more consistent production all around.”
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