By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Only a sophomore, Jessa Burling is turning into the best all-around basketball player in the Southern Lakes Conference.
Fortunately for the Burlington Demons, they’re reaping the benefits and climbing up the SLC standings.
Burlington knocked off rival Waterford, last year’s conference champion, on Tuesday night, 54-30, to complete the season sweep and notch its third consecutive victory.
Burling, SLC’s leading scorer and rebounder, had another do-it-all game with 22 points, 10 steals and eight rebounds. It was her second straight game with 10 steals.
At 8-8 overall and 6-3 in the Southern Lakes Conference, the Demons have developed a winning mentality under third-year coach Mary Parker.
“The key to victory tonight was an all-around effort from everyone,” Burling said Tuesday night. “We all fed off each other’s energy, and it was one of our best games as a team. These past three games our one goal has been to win.”
The Lady Demons were up by four points at the half, but a 28-8 second half turned the game into a blowout.
“In the second half we were able to tighten up our defense, and hold them to only eight points,” Parker said. “In addition, we started working the ball around on offense, and played with a lot more patience. The girls really played great team basketball tonight.”
Megan Wallace added 16 points for the Demons.
Burlington returns home to face Elkhorn Friday night.
Burlington 57, Delavan-Darien 31
The Demons erupted for a huge second half Jan. 22 in Delavan.
Burlington took a 24-23 lead into halftime, but erupted for a 33-8 second half en route to an easy victory over the Comets (7-7, 4-4 SLC).
Jessa Burling, who leads the Southern Lakes Conference in scoring and rebounding, had a double-double with 23 points and 10 steals. She added five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
“Tonight we played a complete game,” said head coach Mary Parker. “We were able to get a lot of points in the transition off our pressure defense. We were able to keep our composure when they pressured us and made their runs. We played very patient on offense in the second half, and got better looks at the basket. The girls played with tremendous heart and desire all game long.”
Demon boys suffer rough week
On Saturday at home, the Burlington boys basketball team hung tough for the first half before succumbing to Slinger in a 55-35 nonconference defeat.
The Demons trailed, 23-18, at the half but the Owls reeled off a 32-17 second half to pull away.
Burlington was in a massive offensive funk, as no player reached double figures in scoring and only one, Liam Safar, made more than one basket.
Safar led the team with nine points, and Luke Geiger, Mitch Klug and Cal Tully added five points each.
Burlington dropped to 5-8 overall.
Slinger’s Tyler Reinhardt led the Owls with 16 points.
The game was the second of a back-to-back, as Burlington lost, 68-60, at Delavan-Darien Friday night.
The Comets held a 26-20 lead at halftime, but the Demons stormed back to take a 38-36 lead.
Hot shooting by Cal Tully and Mitch Klug helped the Demons pull off a 24-10 run.
Tully, who led the team with 21 points hit his fifth triple of the game to tied the game at 41-41. Tully scored 15 of his 21 in the second half, but he was also in foul trouble and eventually fouled out.
But Delavan’s William Brown hit a 3-pointer to give the Comets a 49-46 lead, and they never trailed again. Delavan went on a 15-4 run late in the game to ice the victory.
Nick Klug added 15 points, and Mitch Klug had 14.
Tully added eight rebounds, and Brock Halbach tallied seven boards.
The Demons dropped to 4-4 in the SLC, severely hurting their title chances considering Westosha Central is now 6-1.
But only two and a half game out of first place, Burlington has six SLC games left, including three against Waterford, Westosha and Badger, all of which are ahead of the Demons in the standings.
It will take a lot of help, but the Demons will put themselves in the conversation for the title if they can go on a run to finish the season.
Easier said than done.
Burlington travels to rival Waterford (7-7 overall, 5-3 SLC) Thursday night.
Basketball/baseball fundraiser Saturday night
This Saturday, Jan. 30, the Burlington basketball and baseball programs will hold their annual auction at the Veteran’s Terrace in Burlington.
The Demon Basketball and Baseball Auction and Raffle Night will begin at 5 p.m., and admission is $10, which buys you a raffle ticket.
Food and soda will be provided along with entertainment.
Advanced tickets are sold at Gooseberries Fresh Food Market, 690 W. State St., and at the Burlington High School Activities office.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door the night of the event.
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