Falcons face Fort Atkinson Saturday
By Jason Arndt
Nic Frederick was too much for visiting Union Grove to handle, as No. 1-seeded Westosha Central drubbed the Broncos 88-66, and advanced to Saturday’s WIAA Division 2 regional title game against Fort Atkinson.
Frederick, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, scored a game-high 21 points that included 12 from 3-point range.
Westosha Central coach James Hyllberg said Frederick demonstrated more than perimeter shooting.
“He got some confidence, he took the ball to the hoop, which is what I have been telling him to do all season long,” Hyllberg said.
Frederick opened the game with a basket from the arc, followed by a 6-5 senior Ron Hall layup to give the Falcons an early 5-0 lead.
Union Grove 5-10 sophomore Jack Pettit, who scored a team-leading 19 points, responded with a bucket to post the Broncos’ first points at 5-2.
Joe Peterson, one of two Broncos’ seniors, added another to diminish the Westosha Central lead to 5-4, followed by another Pettit bucket to give the Broncos a 6-5 edge.
However, Falcons 5-10 junior Tre Williams buried a 3-pointer to reclaim the lead at 8-6.
After both squads traded buckets, 6-3 sophomore Cooper Brinkman drained a basket from the perimeter to pull the Falcons ahead 15-14, and held on the rest of the game.
Brinkman finished with 13 points.
Broncos’ coach Dave Pettit said the team could not overcome Westosha Central’s size, but kept digging.
“We got the heart, and the kids busted their tails,” Dave Pettit said. “We are only 6-1, 6-2 and they are 6-4 and 6-5 but that is way it is. The kids battled.”
Williams, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half, said the Falcons’ wanted to make a statement following two regular season meetings where they won by narrow margins, 55-51 and 69-63.
“The last few games we played them, there have been very close games and we were going into this game looking to crush them,” Williams said.
The Falcons, who led 40-31 entering halftime, widened the lead in the second half, courtesy of a 15-5 run, yielding a 57-41 lead and continued to forge ahead.
Frederick contributed seven of the Falcons’ 15 points in the run, which impressed Williams, noting the sophomore’s fearless approach in the paint Friday.
“He was actually talking, giving advice, and telling people what to do,” Williams said. “I saw that leadership and aggressiveness in taking the ball to the rim.”
Peterson agreed, stating Frederick’s shooting set the Broncos back, but continued to battle in spite.
“Certainly, we didn’t quit, but they had an outstanding shooting night. Frederick hit a lot of big shots,” said Peterson, who finished with six points.
Other Broncos leaders were sophomore Riley Hale (16) and junior Matt Nelson (15), two of eight returners for next year, which is a positive step for the future.
“We did the best of our ability and we never quit,” Peterson said. “We are a young team, only two seniors, but hopefully next year, the team will see great things.”
While the Broncos’ finished their season, Westosha Central is seeking a regional title against visiting Fort Atkinson Saturday.
The Falcons, who improved to 16-7, will maintain focus against the No. 4 seeded Blackhawks.
“We got to get back at it tomorrow night,” Hyllberg said.
Westosha Central’s Lucas Graveley, a 6-4 junior forward, finished second on the team with 20 points Friday.
Friday night’s victory also brought the return of senior Jordan Easthon, after missing six Westosha Central games due to injury.
The 6-3 Falcons senior scored four points, but Williams and Hyllberg said he needs more time to reacclimate himself after missing action.
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