Toppers on first three-game winning streak
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
The Catholic Central boys basketball team recently had its first taste of sustained success this season.
And after a one-point loss Feb. 10, the Toppers have reeled off consecutive wins for the second time this season and are 5-1 in their last six games. After Tuesday’s 49-37 victory over Thomas More, the Toppers are on their longest win streak of the season, three games.
Head coach Kyle Scott’s club improved to 6-13 overall with a 45-26 thumping of visiting Greendale Martin Luther Feb. 16.
It was Catholic Central’s fourth win in its last five games.
Junior guard Ben Heiligenthal led the charge, with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Heiligenthal also added six of eight free throws.
No other Toppers scored in double figures, as the team only shot 36 percent.
However, a 14-1 third quarter put the game out of reach for the Toppers.
The home team added a 15-9 fourth quarter for good measure.
Aaron Reuber and Spencer Wilker each added six points.
On Feb. 13, Wilker snapped out his shooting slump in a big way, draining 11-of-22 shots for 28 points in the Toppers’ 59-47 over Racine Prairie.
Catholic Central enjoyed more home cooking as it broke open a 23-23 tie with a 15-7 third quarter.
Heiligenthal added 11 points, Shan Gill had 10 and the team shot 45 percent from the field.
Heiligenthal totaled 11 rebounds, and Wilker added 10.
Brandon Vande Hei led the team with four assists.
Catholic Central hosts Whitefish Bay Dominican, the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Division 3, this Saturday.
WIAA playoff pairings will be released this week, and the Toppers should start postseason play March 4.
Catholic Central 49, Thomas More 37
On Tuesday at home, the Toppers defense was on point, as Catholic Central built a 29-19 halftime lead and cruised from there.
Heiligenthal went off for 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting. He added eight rebounds.
Wilker added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Demons take third straight
After its first losing streak of the season, the Burlington boys basketball team is back to its winning ways with two weeks left in the regular season.
The Demons improved to 15-5 overall and 9-3 in the Southern Lakes Conference with a 67-51 dispatching of visiting Delavan-Darien Friday night.
It was Burlington’s third straight win, and the team currently sits one game behind first-place Badger in the SLC standings.
Senior Frankie Hozeska, who leads the team with 15 points per game, led the offensive charge Friday for the Demons, pouring in 17 points and adding four rebounds.
Brad Burling added 15 points and seven rebounds.
Junior Cal Tully tallied 11 points, and Nathaniel Sibley nearly registered a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
The teams were deadlocked at 15-15 after one quarter, but an 18-6 second quarter helped Burlington pull away for good.
The Demons made it rain from long distance, as the team hit nine 3-pointers, led by three apiece from Burling and Tully.
Burlington closes out the SLC season with a home game against rival Waterford Friday and another home contest Feb. 26 against Westosha Central.
Friday’s game will be broadcast live on the Time Warner Cable Sports channel.
BBW defeats rival Waterford
On Feb. 12, the Burlington/Badger/Wilmot gymnastics squad stayed perfect in the Southern Lakes Conference with a comfortable 139.875-131.85 victory on the road at Waterford.
Bailey Fitzpatrick won the all-around with a 37.025, as she picked up first place on vault (9.35) and bars (9.5).
Molly Benavides won beam (9.55) and floor (9.6).
Other key performers for BBW included Mia Trent on vault (8.5) and bars (8.4), Hailey Siegler on beam (8.7) and MacKenzie Terry on floor (8.9).
Burlington returns to Waterford Friday for the SLC meet, which begins at 4:30 p.m.
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