PORT’S LUKE SCHUELLER tackled a behind-the-back challenge as he battled two Cedarburg players for the ball.
                                     Photo by Sam Arendt

Blue-collar effort against Dogs allows Port boys’ basketball team to stretch winning streak to three

After failing to win consecutively the first four weeks of the season, the Pirates turned the trick last week with a pair of victories that gave them a much-needed shot of confidence.

By grinding past Cedarburg, 49-38, at home Friday, Port improved its second-place North Shore Conference record to 3-2 and stretched its win string to three games.

“We really worked hard,” Pirates coach John Bunyan said of his team, which had its hands full with the Bulldogs before pulling away in the second half.

“We gave them six or seven offensive rebounds in the first quarter, but then we shored it up. We weren’t getting any calls, but we kept working at it.”

Port emerged from a ragged first half with a 21-18 lead and asserted itself in the third quarter. Senior Luke Schueller sparked the surge by scoring eight of his 10 points during the period, including a basket that put the Pirates up, 30-22.

Cedarburg (1-4) pulled within 34-30 early in the fourth quarter on a pair of free throws by David Shepard, who scored a game-high 23 points.

However, Port countered with 11-4 run fueled by forward Shane Kennedy, who sat out much of the third period after being elbowed in the mouth.

Kennedy scored seven of his team-high 11 points in the fourth quarter, when the Pirates made 11 of 16 free throws. They finished 15-for-22 (68%) at the line after shooting just six free throws in the first half.

“We looked to get the ball inside more,” Bunyan said. “We got the ball to Shane and were able to get some layups and draw some fouls.”

Although Cedarburg trailed most of the night, it made things interesting by staying within striking distance. The Bulldogs held a 17-14 lead midway through the second quarter, but Port finished the period with a 7-1 run.

Port 65, Milwaukee Lutheran 60

A big second quarter allowed the Pirates to take control in a conference home win Jan. 4.

Port led by only 16-15 after one period but went on a 19-8 run that gave it a 35-23 advantage at halftime. The margin grew to 17 points in the third quarter before Lutheran mounted a futile rally in the final period.

Each team relied heavily on perimeter shooting and had seven three-point baskets. Guard Sawyer Mosley had a trio of threes for Port, which also got two apiece from Schueller and Joey Burbach.

Burbach, a sophomore, and junior Kyle Rismeyer shared scoring honors for the Pirates with 17 points apiece. Schueller and Mosley added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Lutheran was led by Garrett Wenzelburger’s 24 points.

The Pirates will go after their fourth straight win this Friday when they travel to Homestead for a 7:30 p.m. game.

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