Black Hawks stop their skid; Port keeps its run going

There haven’t been many highlights for the Grafton High School boys’ basketball team this season, but the 85-77 home win on Feb. 3 over Milwaukee Washington will be one.

Junior guard Caleb Battles scored 24 points, going 5-for-8 on three-pointers and 7-for-8 on free throws. He also had six rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks.

“He shot it very well,” coach Damon James said.

Senior guard DJ James, the coach’s son, scored 13 points and had 14 assists.

“That was obviously pretty great to get back to that type of basketball. For him individually, 14 assists – it’s a career high, but more importantly guys were finishing around the rim. And we made some threes, and that helps,” coach James said.

Freshman forward Hank Doyle had 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Ricardo Dettoni was brought up to varsity and scored 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting and had six rebounds.

Josiah Gonzales had nine points.

“We only average 50 points a game. For us to have 85, it was a good pace to it,” James said.

The Hawks had 26 assists on 31 baskets, and shot 31-for-66 from the field (47%).

It was their first win since Dec. 13 and the third of the season. The team was decimated by injuries from the start of the season.

“It feels great to win. You just want them to have that feeling over and over again,” James said.

The Hawks lost at Homestead, 72-45, last Friday. James highlighted Doyle, the tallest member of the team at 6 feet 6 inches.

“He didn’t have a huge stat line but he was definitely assertive, which is growth for him. He’s getting better. Hopefully, he continues to grow and fill out physically,” James said.

Grafton, 3-16, was to host Nicolet (9-9) on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Hawks host West Bend West (9-10) on Friday, Feb. 13, and play at West Allis Hale (2-17) on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Port boys stay white hot, close in on league title

Port Washington extended its winning streak to 15 games and nears making history as the first boys’ basketball team to win the Glacier Trails Conference.

Port won at Kettle Moraine Lutheran, 71-58, on Feb. 3.

Four Pirates scored in double figures. Grady Karrels had 20 points and six rebounds. Cal Loose returned from a foot injury to score 17 points with five rebounds and four assists. Each shot 7-for-12 from the field.

Aiden Mitchell had 15 points and nine rebounds, and Izaiah Scheftgen had 13 points and six steals.

Port pulled away in the second half after leading, 38-34, at halftime.

Port took a 33-19 halftime lead at Cedarburg on Monday in a 63-46 win. Loose had 18 points, Karrels had 15, Finn Pashak had 11 and Scheftgen had eight.

“I felt like we got both KML and Cedarburg’s best efforts,” coach Garett Hoffmann said. “They played physical and came after us. Both had playoff-level intensity and we got better from it.”

Port, 18-1 overall and 8-0 in the GTC, leads Plymouth (7-2) in the conference title race. Port was to host West Bend West (4-5 GTC) on Wednesday Feb. 11. The Pirates host Kewaskum (3-6 GTC) on Thursday, Feb. 12, host nonconference foe Cedar Grove-Belgium (13-4) on Monday, Feb. 23, and close the season at Plymouth on Thursday, Feb. 26.