By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
In each of its last two home games, the Burlington boys basketball team has come out flat and found itself in an early hole.
Though the Demons rallied and almost pulled off a miraculous comeback Tuesday at home, their 65-59 loss to Union Grove may have ended their hopes of a fourth straight conference championship.
There are still four Southern Lakes games to play, but Burlington (6-4 SLC) will need some help to catch first-place Union Grove (8-1).
The Broncos have now won five straight, four in conference. Much like the Grove did in Friday’s blowout win at Waterford, the Broncos built a big lead early.
Dribble penetration and hot shooting helped the Broncos get out to a 20-point lead in the third quarter.
“We’ve tried to go a little more uptempo and attack the basket,” said Union Grove coach Dave Pettit. “We did a good job with that, but we got tired. Their defense was impressive in the second half and let them back in the game.”
At the midway point of the third quarter, the Demons began a furious rally.
Frank Hozeska bucketed two layups, and Ben Geiger canned a triple as part of a 14-6 Burlington run, which cut the Grove’s lead to 48-36 after three quarters.
Then, Burlington’s full-court pressure forced several turnovers, and the Demons answered with an outside shooting barrage.
Thanks to 3-pointers from Luke Dahl, Geiger and Hozeska, Burlington trimmed the lead to 59-56 with two minutes to play.
Dahl jumped in a passing lane on the perimeter for a steal and hustled past the defense for a layup, making it 60-58. But then the Broncos knocked down two big free throws with 50 seconds left.
Dahl hit one of two free throws on the next possession, but it ended up being Burlington’s final point.
Andrew Kazikowski two free buckets sealed it with less than 30 seconds to play.
Grant Beck led all scorers with 19 points. Cody Walters added 18, and Kazikowski had 13.
For Burlington, Hozeska led four players in double figures with 17. Dahl, Geiger, and Ty Wiemer each added 10.
“At the beginning of the game, we did not come to play, which led to Union Grove getting a big lead,” Hozeska said. “Then we came out in the second half with energy.
Dahl said the Demons can still bounce back from this loss.
“We can’t let this game define us,” he said. “We work hard every day to get better, and it all comes down to who is playing the best basketball come playoff time.”
Burlington senior Nate Klug said there’s still hope for a conference crown.
“It looks like the Broncos have it, but anything can happen,” he said. “They are a good team, and I think we’ll see them again. We need to take advantage of every game and practice and go from there.”
Pettit said a conference crown isn’t locked up just yet.
“We’re in the lead right now, but anybody can beat anybody,” he said. “We control our own destiny, but it will be tough. We must keep giving effort and keep trying to get better.”
Burlington 56, Elkhorn 33
The Demons benefitted from some cold Elk shooting Jan. 30 in Elkhorn.
Elkhorn didn’t score a point in the first quarter, and Burlington cruised from there.
The Demons led, 19-0, after one and 34-11 at the half.
Geiger scorched the nets for 25 points, including three 3-pointers and 8-for-8 from the foul line.
Klug tallied 11 points, and Hozeska added nine points and 13 rebounds.
Arik Anderson led Elkhorn with nine points
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