Ozaukee boys fall in final seconds

A huge rebounding differential spelled the difference last Thursday when the Ozaukee High School boys’ basketball team’s late rally fell short in a 52-51 game against visiting Manitowoc Lutheran.

The Lancers earned a share of the Big East Conference title in the North Division, with a 14-5 record.

The Warriors finished 11-8 and in fourth place in the Big East South Division. They were 13-9 overall.

It was Senior Night for the Warriors, and their five seniors all started the game.

Brent Hoffman, Logan Bell, Jotham Higginbotham, Danny Johnson and Dakota Hart were all honored.

Hoffmann is a four-year varsity player, and the team’s second-leading scorer.

In Thursday’s game, Manitowoc Lutheran held a 53-31 rebounding edge.

The first half was close throughout, with the Lancers holding a 31-25 edge at halftime.

The Lancers built on their lead with a run in the early part of the second half and led by as many as 17 points before the Warriors mounted a huge rally.

With 13 minutes, 17 seconds to play, Ozaukee trailed, 47-30.

In the next seven minutes, the Warriors trimmed the lead to 49-42.

“Our kids are very resilient,” Ozaukee coach Bob Domach said.

Ozaukee continued to chip away at the lead and, at the 4:04 mark, Brent Hoffmann drained a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 50-47.

Simon Bares then nailed a three-pointer with 2:50 to play to tie the game at 50.

That score remained until Hoffmann made the first of two free throws with 34.5 seconds left to give the Warriors a one-point lead.

A basket by the Lancers with just 21 seconds left earned the visitors the win.

The Warriors fouled Manitowoc Lutheran’s Jacob Schultz, who missed the front end of a bonus opportunity with 8.9 seconds remaining, but a last-second shot by Ozaukee fell short.

“We never gave up. We kept fighting. We had our chances throughout the game. We will grow from this loss,” Domach said.

Ozaukee was led by Noah Miller with 20 points.

Hoffmann scored 12 points and had six rebounds. Bares scored nine points and had six rebounds. Logan Bell had 11 rebounds.

The Lancers were led by Trey Zastrow with 20 points. Nathaniel Luebke 18 rebounds and 14 points.

CG-Belgium cruises to end regular season

The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School boys’ basketball team rolled into the playoffs on a six-game winning streak and in their regular season finale had six players score in double figures.

The Rockets dominated the first half last Thursday against St. Mary Catholic and cruised to an 88-72 victory.

Jacob Peiffer scored 17 points and Sam Peiffer had 16. Max Ford had 12. Jeffrey Emperley and Michael Navis each scored 11, and Matt Voskuil had 10.

Emperley had seven assists. Sam Peiffer had six and Navis had five.

“They battled but on paper we’re a better team. It’s a matter of doing what you need to do and take care of the ball,” coach Josh Ketterhagen said.

The Rockets had 10 turnovers in the game.

“Overall, I felt good about that,” Ketterhagen said.

The Rockets held a 46-25 lead at halftime.

“Give Catholic credit. They fought hard. We’re playing some good basketball,” Ketterhagen said.

It was the final home game for six Rocket seniors: Jacob Peiffer, Emperley, Navis, Voskuil, Justin Rose and Ford.

The Rockets’ six-game winning streak includes five Big East Conference wins in a row. They finished 10-9 and in fifth place of seven teams in the Big East South Division. Sheboygan Lutheran and Oostburg won the division with 18-1 records.

“It’s good to be playing winning basketball heading into the playoffs and feeling good about yourself,” Ketterhagen said.