By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Bronco boys faced a tough Waukesha North team Tuesday night and came out on the losing end of a 62-47 non-conference game at Waukesha.
With the loss, Union Grove is now 10-5 overall.
The two teams battled to a 12-12 tie after one quarter, but North held the Broncos to just three points in the second quarter to take a 22-15 lead at the half.
Union Grove stayed within striking distance after three quarters, trailing 38-30, but could not put together the strong fourth quarter rally the boys have done a number of times this season.
Brett Van Vreede led the Bronco boys with 14 points, with Matt Herndon chipping in 10.
Vs. Westosha Central
As has been the case in nearly half their games this season, a decisive fourth quarter has allowed the Union Grove High School boys’ basketball team to either come from behind for a win, or put a close game out of reach.
That proved true once again in a 69-54 win over Westosha Central at home Jan. 27.
The Broncos trailed 30-28 at the half, but outscored the Falcons 41-24 in the second half, including 23-13 in the fourth quarter.
“We like to think our conditioning has to do with that,” head coach David Pettit said of his team’s strong fourth quarters.
In addition, Pettit usually uses nine players, which keeps his athletes fresh.
The two teams were tied at 13 apiece after one quarter, as the Broncos started slowly. Pettit noted that Westosha was successful going inside in the first half.
In the third quarter, Union Grove pressed for the first two minutes and then switched to a half-court man-to-man defense the rest of the way.
“Our defense got some stops and our offense did a nice job moving the ball,” Pettit said of the second half surge.
Union Grove also shot well at the free-throw line, making 14 of 20, including 7 of 11 in the fourth quarter.
“They started fouling, and we knocked them down,” Pettit said.
Four Broncos scored in double figures, led by Van Vreede with 19. Herndon and Grayson Catania had 12 apiece, while Matt Wolff added 11.
All of Catania’s points came from long range as he made four threes.
“He shoots really well at home,” Pettit said. “He’s a good shooter overall.”
More than half of Wolff’s points came from the foul line where he was a perfect 6 for 6, with four of those coming in the final period.
The win gives the Broncos a 6-2 record in the SLC.
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