Cal corrals 1,000th career point as Port boys roll on

Cal Loose wasn’t his team’s leading scorer in the offensive outburst by the Port Washington High School boys’ basketball team on Jan. 27 in an 88-66 win over Messmer, but the senior holds the active lead in scoring and surpassed the 1,000-point mark from close range.

“Putting up that layup I have total confidence, and it was just one of those shots that I knew was just going to go in” he said. “The adrenaline rush kinda hit me right away. And I was surprised that there was a banner made for me. The fans who supported me and cheered for me in that moment really mean so much to me and this whole program showing their loyalty and success so far this season.”

Coach Garrett Hoffmann took a moment to celebrate the milestone, which Loose appreciated.

“There was a timeout called and we got a whole team picture on half court with the banner,” Loose said. “I feel completely honored to be the eighth player in Port history to accomplish this goal.”

Hoffmann is thrilled for the star.

“I couldn’t be happier for him. I’ve known him since before I was coaching here,” the third-year coach said. “He hit me up and we shot at a different gym. Before one of his AAU games, at like 7 a.m., he wanted to get shots up. That’s the kid he is. He puts in so much work. To see that pay off for him in that way is awesome.”

Colton Struckman had 19 points and five assists to lead Port over Messmer. Izaiah Scheftgen had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Loose and Grady Karrels each had 15 points, and Finn Pashak had nine.

Last Thursday, Port won at West Bend East, 75-40. Karrels had 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting. Loose injured his foot and is expected back late this month, Hoffmann said.

Last Saturday, Port knocked off rival Grafton at home, 73-40.

Karrels had 15 points, Will Theisen had 14, going 4-for-5 on three-pointers, and Scheftgen had 12. Kiya Sullivan had eight points and six rebounds.

Port held a 39-14 lead at halftime over the Black Hawks, who are struggling through an injury-ridden season.

Theisen drained a trio of three-pointers in a 70-second span to extend Port’s early lead.

“It’s just confidence. My teammates have that trust in me. I’ve just got to keep shooting,” he said.

Port went 11-for-26 on three-pointers.

“We were getting good looks,” Hoffmann said. “I told the guys ‘You don’t want to live from the three-point line,’ but when they’re hitting it’s nice.”

Pashak, who stands 6 feet, 6 inches tall, made a steal near midcourt and drove for an uncontested slam dunk, his second ever in a game.

“My footing wasn’t great. I had the steal. I wanted to do two hands. I was talking about it before the game. I think I took off a little too far (away),” he said.

Hoffmann liked his team’s hustle in racking up 13 offensive rebounds.

“That’s something we’ve really been preaching to the guys and trying to work on. When you can get second chances, that rim gets a whole lot bigger,” he said.

Port is 16-1 with its only loss coming at Sheboygan North on Dec. 9. The Pirates are ranked No. 1 in the Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports Boys Basketball Media Poll.

Theisen and Pashak shared a couple of secrets to their success.

“Everyone’s in it, the whole bench. Everyone wants it just as bad as the starters, and everyone plays their role,” Theisen said.

“We go hard every single day. We don’t take days off,” Pashak said.

Port was to play at Kettle Moraine Lutheran on Tuesday, Feb. 3, and plays at Cedarburg on Monday, Feb. 9.

Grafton, 2-15, lost to Whitefish Bay, 84-59, last Friday and at Hartford, 61-42, on Jan. 27.

The Black Hawks play at Homestead on Friday, Feb. 6, and host Nicolet on Monday, Feb. 10.