POTOSI - Despite being outscored 37-26 in the second half of last Thursday night’s game, the Potosi varsity boys basketball team kept their unbeaten conference record intact by beating visiting Highland, 61-56.
The win gave coach Mike Uppena’s squad a Six Rivers West conference record of 3-0, and an overall mark of 7-1, while the Cardinals dropped to 2-1, 4-4.
The Chieftains got off to a hot start Thursday night, holding leads of 20-8 and 35-19 after the first and second quarters.
They were then outscored 17-12 in the third, and saw Highland make a serious run in the fourth.
With around three minutes to play in the game, Potosi’s lead was trimmed to two points, but crucial free throws by Spencer Hawes and Tim Fritz in the end propelled the Chieftains to victory.
On the night, coach Uppena’s squad made 15-of-21 (71%) free throw attempts, was 20-of-42 (48%) from the field, and 6-of16 (37.5%) from downtown.
Three members of the team scored in double figures, as junior guard Spencer Hawes led the way with 14 points, seven assists and three steals.
Fellow juniors Hunter Leibfried and Tim Fritz chipped in 13 and 11 points respectively, while Leibfried and senior forward T.J. Neuhaus each pulled down a team-high five rebounds.
In non-conference action last Tuesday night, coach Uppena’s squad put together a 59-47 victory over host Pecatonica.
Leibfried led the Chieftains with 16 points, seven boards and four assists, while junior forward Alex Wright added 14 points and three steals.
As a team, Potosi made 25-of-56 (45%) field goal attempts, including 4-of-18 (22%) from long range. They were 5-of-15 (33%) from the charity stripe, committed 11 turnovers and came away with 12 team steals.
Following this past Tuesday night’s home game against Shullsburg, the Chieftains travel to River Ridge Friday night, then go to Argyle next Monday.
Potosi 59, Pecatonica 47(from Tuesday, Jan. 3)
Potosi 12 14 19 14 - 59
Pecatonica 10 18 8 11 - 47
Potosi - J. Udelhofen 2, L. Udelhofen 7, Leibfried 16, Langkamp 6, Wright 14, Hawes 8, Neuhaus 4, Fritz 2. Totals - 25 5-15 59.
Pecatonica - Kleppe 9, Schliem 2, Hogan 14, Massey 4, Feller 16, Hendrickson 2. Totals - 16 9-11 47.
3-point goals - Po: L. Udelhofen 2, Leibfried 1, Hawes 1; Pe: Kleppe 3, Hogan 3. Team fouls - Po: 15; Pe: 16. Fouled out - None. J.V. - Pecatonica won, 52-33.
Potosi 61, Highland 56
(from Thursday, Jan. 5)
Highland 8 11 17 20 - 56
Potosi 20 15 12 14 - 61
Highland - Pierick 21, Bodenstein 17, Linscheid 3, Kutzke 6, Kleist 4, Riley 5. Totals - 24 11-17 56.
Potosi - Jase Udelhofen 6, Logan Udelhofen 5, Hunter Leibfried 13, Tom Keene 5, Mitch Langkamp 2, Alex Wright 3, Spencer Hawes 14, T.J. Neuhaus 2, Tim Fritz 11. Totals - 20 15-21 61.
3-point goals - H: Linscheid 1; P: Fritz 2, Jase Udelhofen 1, Logan Udelhofen, Keene 1, Hawes 1. Team fouls - H: 18; P: 20. Fouled out - Kutzke (H), Kleist (H). J.V. - Potosi won, 44-30.
