MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Dec. 4–11)
BOYS BASKETBALL: Lancaster 67, Darlington 65
By A.J. Gates, Herald Independent
Lancaster boys take down reigning SWAL co-champion Redbirds
DARLINGTON — Following their Nov. 26 opener at Barneveld with victories over Darlington and Shullsburg this past week, has coach Brian Knapp and his Lancaster boys basketball team off to a 3–0 start to the 2024–25 season.
The Flying Arrows improved to 2–0 last Tuesday night with a 67–65 victory over host Darlington, and most recently defeated visiting Shullsburg, 83–62, the following Thursday night.
“We have had a good start to the season,” said coach Knapp. “I like our effort both offensively and defensively. We have a roster of kids that are able to score the basketball, and they have all bought into sharing the ball and making that extra pass.”
Against the host Redbirds last Tuesday night, Lancaster got a team- high 26 points from junior guard Dayne Kauffman, who last season averaged 6.7 points per contest.
Kauffman was 9-of-19 from the floor, including 4-of-11 from 3-point range, and made 4-of-5 free throw attempts. He was followed by fellow junior Zach Hermsen, who finished with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor, and a career-high 19 rebounds, while fellow junior Taylor Williams chipped in 13 points.
Combined, Kauffman, Hermsen and Williams accounted for all but eight of Lancaster’s 67 points.
The Arrows jumped out to a a seven-point lead early in the opening half only to see Darlington eventually cut into their deficit. After leading the Redbirds just 18–17, the Arrows went on a 5–0 run to increase their lead to 23–17 midway through the first half.
Darlington tied the game at 23–23 with a 6–0 run of their own and took a 29–28 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The two teams battled close throughout the entire second half with neither team getting out to a sustainable lead. Darlington held a 45–38 lead, but with six minutes to play in the contest a 3-pointer by Kauffman pulled the Arrows to within 56–55.
The Redbirds then went on a 4–0 run, extending their lead to 60–55 with four and a half minutes to play.
The Arrows battled back, and tied the game at 60–60 on a 3-pointer by Hermsen with 3:30 showing on the clock, and nearly two minutes later took a 62–60 lead on a bucket by Williams.
A pair of free throws by Kauffman, and one from Williams, extended Lancaster’s lead to 65–60 with 23.7 seconds to play.
A bucket by the Redbirds made the score 65–62 with 16 seconds remaining in the contest, while Kauffman made 1-of-2 free throw attempts with 14.7 seconds to give Lancaster a 66–62 lead.
A 3-pointer by Darlington’s Zeke Zuberbuhler pulled the Redbirds to within 66–65 before they were forced to foul Michael Murphy with six seconds showing on the clock.
After Murphy made 1-of-2 attempts, the Redbirds got a good look at a game-winning 3-pointer from the left corner that bounced off the rim as the final buzzer sounded.
Lancaster finished the game making 23-of-62 (37%) total shot attempts, including 6-of-32 (18.8%) from 3-point range. They were 15-of-24 (62.5%) from the free throw line, committed 20 turnovers and out-rebounded the Redbirds 53–41.
On the following Thursday night, coach Knapp’s Flying Arrows handed visiting Shullsburg an 83–62 loss. Hermsen led Lancaster with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor to go along with a team-high seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.
“These guys like to get out an run the floor and convert transition into easy points,” said coach Knapp. “We encourage that, but in order to have transition you need to get defensive stops and then rebound. Defense and rebounding has been pretty solid, and we will continue to work on that and our transition defense. The kids are locked in and focused, and are starting to gain more confidence.”
Following this past Tuesday night’s 69–52 non-conference win over Belleville, the Arrows (4–0) will begin play in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference Friday night when they host the Blackhawks of River Valley.
Lancaster 67, Darlington 65
(from Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Darlington)
Lancaster.....................28 39 — 67
Darlington ...................29 36 — 65
Lancaster —Zach Hermsen 20, Brady Schmitz 2, Dayne Kauffman 26, Michael Murphy 4, Taylor Williams 13, Anthony Busch 2. Totals - 23-62, 15-24 67.
Darlington — Dante Glenenning 2, Taggart Gille 2, Cagyn Paisley 6, Zeke Zuberbuhler 26, Broker Buschor 15, Ryder Fitzsimons 14. Totals - 27-77, 6-12 65.
3-point goals — L: (6-32) Hermsen 1, Kauffman 4, Murphy 1; D: (5-25) Paisley 1, Zuberbuhler 4. Team fouls — L 10, D 21. Fouled out — Gille (D).
