Falcons could clinch SLC Friday

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Down by one point at halftime, Ron Hall and the Falcons got the job done in the low post, defeating host Elkhorn 53-47 in a Southern Lakes Conference contest Feb. 12.

The Westosha Central victory clinched at least a share of the SLC title after Burlington defeated Lake Geneva 66-49, a first for the Falcons in more than 15 years.

Westosha Central improved to 10-2 (13-5 overall) in the SLC, two games ahead of Badger and Burlington with two games left.

Lucas Graveley
Lucas Graveley

Elkhorn, who played without leading scorer Alex Easterday, pressured the Falcons offense in the first half, holding Westosha Central to 23 points.

Falcons’ coach James Hyllberg said it was about drawing fouls in the second half, resulting in Ryan Shiltz fouling out for Ekhorn.

“They played strong and we were trying to get contact,” Hyllberg said.

Hall, who notched a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards, sparked the second half rally with five straight points to pull Westosha Central ahead 28-24, holding the lead for the rest of the contest.

Elkhorn, who had a game-high 22 points from Dayne Fisher, trimmed the deficit to 28-26, but the low post presence of senior James Manring and junior Lucas Graveley were too much for the Elks to handle.

The 6-foot-3 Graveley, who is starting for injured Jordan Easthon, scored six of his career-high 12 points in the second half.

“(Lucas) stepped up, he took two charges and stayed aggressive,” Hyllberg said.

Graveley’s ability in the paint impressed Elkhorn coach Josh Skatrud.

“Graveley had a great game, he finished a couple times around the rim, you got to give Graveley credit,” Skatrud said.

Hall, who scored nine of his points in the second, came into foul trouble, drawing his fourth personal foul with 13:23 left.

“He had to sit for awhile, but he came back in, and did some great things for us,” Hyllberg said.

Along with Hall and Graveley, 5-11 junior guard Tre Williams scored a team-leading 14 points, including nine in the first half with Nic Frederick adding 10.

Frederick drained both of his 3-pointers in the second half.

The balanced offensive attack did not come as a surprise for Skatrud.

“With them being first place in conference, we know they got some talented guys,” Skatrud said. “We tried to turn it into our game, a little more physical, and slow it down.”

The Elks dropped to 6-13 (2-10 SLC) after Friday’s loss.

Next for Westosha Central are Burlington and Badger, both of whom the Falcons beat earlier in the season.


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