Connor is clutch for the Ozaukee boys

By DEB HAMM

Ozaukee Press correspondent

The Ozaukee boys’ high school basketball team pushed its record to .500 while its fans slid to the edge of their seats during a 91-89 overtime thriller at Messmer on Dec. 22.

Warrior senior Connor Rennicke was the game’s star. He scored 32 points, shooting 9-for-11 from the field and 10-for-11 on free throws, including six points and a steal in overtime, and had 11 rebounds.

Senior Brett Hamm had 23 points on 11-for-14 shooting from the field, along with nine rebounds and four assists before fouling out. Sawyer Kowalkowski scored 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting.

“It was a total team effort,” Ozaukee coach Bob Domach said.

“Everyone helped us to get over the finish line. We stepped up when we needed to. We still have areas to improve on, but it was nice to go into the Christmas break with a tough overtime win.”

Warrior Parker Kraus scored his only bucket of the game with less than 30 seconds to play in regulation that bumped the Warriors’ lead from one point to 80-77. Messmer hit a three-pointer to tie the game with 3.9 seconds left.

In overtime, the Bishops started with a 7-0 run and led, 87-80, with barely three minutes to play.

Down, 89-82, the Warriors ended the game on a 9-0 run. Two late free throws by Rennicke sealed the victory. Kowalkowski had the Warriors’ other three points in overtime.

Chase Miller had nine points, and Aaron Nehls had seven.

The Warriors took a 48-43 halftime lead behind 15 points from Rennicke and 13 points from Hamm. Rennicke scored eight of Ozaukee’s final 11 points of the half.

The game was close throughout the second half.

With nearly six minutes to play, Hamm scored three consecutive baskets and Ozaukee led, 75-73, with less than four minutes remaining in regulation.

Hamm fouled out with 2 minutes, 42 seconds to go.

Miller fouled out with 35 seconds remaining and Ozaukee leading, 78-77, before Kraus scored and the Bishops tied the game.

In the absence of two starters, Otto Utecht played some key minutes in the extra period for the Warriors. His effort included a pair of rebounds, a blocked shot and a basket.

The Bishops had four players in double digits, led by Cartier Parr with 23 points and seven steals. Markell Milton had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Omar Fofana added 18 points, and Jayden Reed scored 13.

The Warriors, 2-3 in the Big East Conference and 4-4 overall, play at league rival Random Lake (2-4) on Friday, Jan. 6.