By Mike Ramczyk
Last week, after a closer-than-it-should’ve-been win over conference foe Union Grove, Burlington basketball coach Steve Berezowitz said his team needed to improve its free-throw shooting so games would stop going down to the wire.
On Tuesday night at BHS, the Demons heard the veteran coach loud and clear.
Burlington was nearly perfect from the charity stripe, going 17-for-20 and utilizing a 30-23 second half to defeat visiting Racine St. Cat’s, 54-47.
The Demons improved to 9-9 overall.
Sophomore point guard Nick Klug, who leads the team with 14 points per game, scored 15 to pace Burlington. He made six of eight free throws.
Sophomore big man Brock Halbach added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Senior shooting guard Cal Tully chipped in 12 points and seven boards.
Burlington (7-4 SLC) hosts Lake Geneva Badger (8-3 SLC) Friday night.
Lady Demons return to win column
It wasn’t always pretty Tuesday night in Paddock Lake, but the Burlington girls basketball team came home with a 48-35 Southern Lakes victory over Westosha Central.
After a lopsided loss at Union Grove Feb. 5 that most likely removed Burlington from the SLC title hunt, the Demons bounced back thanks to 17 points from Megan Wallace and a stat-stuffing performance by sophomore point guard Jessa Burling.
Burling scored 16 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, snatched six steals and swatted three shots.
Cassidy Askin added seven points for the Demons.
Burlington led, 29-16, at the half.
Burlington improved to 10-9 overall and 8-4 in the SLC.
“Tonight was not our best performance, but the girls fought to get the win,” said head coach Mary Parker. “When we were able to move the ball on offense we got the looks we wanted down low and got to the free throw line. Our press was able to force a few turnovers that we capitalized on at the other end. We also were able to control the boards fairly well.”
Burlington hosts Lake Geneva Badger (10-10, 7-5 SLC) Friday night at 6 p.m.