By Bud Milroy
Sports correspondent
A pair of close conference wins highlighted a busy week for the Catholic Central High School boys basketball team.
The Hilltoppers dropped a 56-40 contest at Shoreland Lutheran Jan. 25, but bounced back with an overtime win over The Prairie School Friday 59-54 and a road win at Kenosha Christian Life 61-58 Tuesday.
In the win Tuesday, the Hilltoppers had to rally from a 29-24 halftime deficit. The Eagles exploded for 18 points in the second quarter.
But in the third, Catholic Central posted 18 points and turned the deficit into a lead it would hold until the end of the game.
“We really picked up the pace in the second half, especially the third quarter, and regained control of the game,” said CCHS coach Eric Henderson.
Senior forward Colin Foote recorded his first varsity double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Tegan Miles added 10 points and nine rebounds. Abel Wagner led the ’Toppers with 15 points.
A strong start and finish aided the Hilltoppers against Racine Prairie. CCHS rode 3-pointers from Wagner and Spencer Wilker in the opening period to take a 15-9 first-quarter lead and led by 10 at the half.
But Prairie rallied in the second half, and in spite of Rayce Wadsworth hitting a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left, the Hawks hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game.
In the extra period, Wagner stepped up for the Hilltoppers. Prairie drew an intentional foul call as Wagner stole the ball, and the senior hit both free throws, followed by Foote connecting with Mile on a high-low play on the next possession.
The two teams exchanged baskets before Prairie went to fouling to try and gain possession. Catholic Central hit its free throws, with Wagner sinking two late to secure the win.
Wagner led CCHS with 16 points, including a pair of threes, while Rayce Wadsworth added 15.
At Shoreland Lutheran, the Hilltoppers struggled in the first half, trailed by 10 at the break and never got closer than six.
-
-
-
-
-