BARNEVELD — For the third time this season, Black Hawk hung right with defending Division 5 state champion Barneveld for the first 28 minutes of a game. And, for the third time this season, the Golden Eagles ruled the final eight minutes of play.
The #3-seeded Eagles closed the game with a 12-0 scoring run over the final eight minutes of play to erase a four-point Black Hawk lead and sink the #6-seeded Warriors, 48-40, in a hard-fought WIAA D5 regional semifinal boys’ basketball game held at Barneveld High School on Friday, March 2.
“We just made a few mistakes down the stretch, which led to Barneveld getting a late run on us. We wanted to try and push the ball, but they did a good job of putting pressure on the ball and slowing us down,” said Black Hawk head coach Charlie Anderson. “They also got to the free throw line more, which was a major factor as well.”
Each team knocked down 15 field goals with four 3-pointers in the game, but Barneveld (17-8 overall) got to the foul line 21 times on the night compared to just nine attempts by Black Hawk (16-7) and the Eagles made 14 of their attempts against six made free throws by the Warriors to account for the margin of victory.
Barneveld maintained a slim 24-21 lead at the half. The Warriors opened the second half on a 19-12 run to build up a 40-36 advantage, however the host Eagles reeled off 12 unanswered points over the final eight minutes of the game to rally for the win.
Senior Kauy Fargo poured in 13 of his game-high 22 points in the second half to lead the Eagles, who went on to capture the regional crown on Saturday night by routing Pecatonica, 70-44, in Blanchardville.
Junior Malcolm Reed added 11 points and junior Dayne Evans netted six for Barneveld.
Senior Jett Rufenacht matched his season-high with 15 points to lead the Warriors. Junior Conner Meyer followed with 14 points, and senior CJ Leuzinger scored six points on the night.
Playing in their final game for the Warriors were seniors Michael Flanagan, Jason Treuthardt, Jett Rufenacht, CJ Leuzinger and Jared Knapp.
“This senior class has definitely left a positive mark on our program. Those five were tremendous teammates who were willing to accept their specific roles and be supportive through their careers. It truly has been a privilege to coach them,” stated Anderson.
At South Wayne, on Tuesday, Feb. 27, the host Warriors opened the post-season by drilling the #11-seeded Albany Comets, 68-48, in a WIAA Division 5 regional quarterfinal contest.
Five players scored in double figures for Black Hawk led by Jett Rufenacht and Conner Meyer with 14 points apiece. Jason Treuthardt tallied 12 points, while junior Kyle Lovelace matched his season-high with 11 points and CJ Leuzinger chipped in with 10.
The Warriors rolled out to a 31-17 halftime lead behind 12 points from Treuthardt and 10 from Meyer, and then eight players scored in the second half for the hosts to put the victory away.
Lovelace netted all 11 of his points in the second half with three 3-pointers, and Rufeancht knocked down two 3s and added 10 points in the second half.
“We played a very good overall game. We had contributions from many players. Jason really gave us the spark we needed in the first half. In the second half, Jett and Kyle really shot the ball well for us,” noted Coach Anderson.
Junior Brandon Schiferl scored five points– all in the second half– with a 3-pointer to set a career-high for the Warriors, who finished the game with 10 made 3-pointers.
Josh Dahl scored nine points and Corbin Kelley added eight for the Comets.
WIAA DIVISION 5 REGIONAL SEMIFINAL
Black Hawk……. 21 19 – 40
Barneveld……... 24 24 – 48
Black Hawk – Michael Flanagan 2, Jason Treuthardt 3, Jett Rufenacht 15, Conner Meyer 14, CJ Leuzinger 6. Totals – 15 6-9 40.
Barneveld – Reed 11, Fargo 22, Gordon 3, Ignatius 3, Evans 6, Roberts 3. Totals – 15 14-21 48.
3-point goals– BH 4 (Treuthardt 1, Rufenacht 1, Meyer 1, Leuzinger 1), BA 4 (Reed 1, Fargo 1, Gordon 1, Roberts 3). Total fouls– BH 19, BA 13. Fouled out– None.
WIAA DIVISION 5 REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL
Albany…………. 17 15 – 32
Black Hawk…… 31 47 – 78
Albany – Dahl 9, Parker 5, Kelley 8, Hulbert 2, Stauffacher 5, Shell 3. Totals – 13 3-5 32.
Black Hawk – Michael Flanagan 3, Colby Argall 3, Jason Treuthardt 12, Kyle Lovelace 11, Jett Rufenacht 14, Cade Meyer 4, Brandon Schiferl 5, Conner Meyer 14, CJ Leuzinger 10, Jared Knapp 2. Totals – 33 2-7 78.
3-point goals– A 7 (Dahl 2, Parker 1, Kelley 2, Hulbert 2), BH 10 (Flanagan 1, Treuthardt 3, Lovelace 3, Rufenacht 2, Schiferl 1). Total fouls– A 13, BH 11. Fouled out– None.
Barneveld rallies late to sink Black Hawk (again)