POTOSI - With Potosi and River Ridge knotted at 42-42 early in the fourth quarter of last Tuesday night’s Six Rivers West conference boys’ basketball opener, the host Chieftains used a 19-7 run midway through the quarter that led to a 67-58 victory and a 1-0 start in the league race.
During Potosi’s crucial scoring run, the Chieftains got 14 points from senior guard Spencer Hawes, who knocked down three 3-pointers in a span of three minutes, not to mention an old-fashioned 3-pointer.
“Basketball is a game of runs, and we made one at the right time,” said Potosi coach Mike Uppena.
Hawes finished the night with a game-high 22 points, including four 3-pointers, and was 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
He also led the team with six assists and four of his team’s six steals.
Mitch Langkamp pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 15 points, while Hunter Leibfried had 10 boards and 21 points.
On the night, Potosi made 13-of-22 (59%) free throw attempts, including 8-of-10 (80%) in the fourth quarter. River Ridge managed to make 6-of-16 (37.5%) from the charity stripe, and was 1-of-6 (17%) in the final eight minutes.
The first three quarters of last Tuesday night’s game was back-and-forth, with five lead changes and four ties.
Potosi’s biggest lead prior to the fourth quarter was seven points (35-28) with just under three minutes to play in the third quarter.
Coach Nate Copsey’s squad then closed out the third with a 12-4 scoring run, giving the Timberwolves a 40-39 lead to start the fourth.
During that run, River Ridge got 3-pointers from seniors Trevor Langmeier and Cody Witzig, as well as sophomore Zach Ertz.
River Ridge was led by senior Joel Mezera, who scored 19 points, including four 3-pointers of his own.
Witzig added 12 points, while sophomore Kirk Martin finished with 11, and junior Alex Breuer added six.
The Chieftains made 23-of-56 (41%) field goal attempts, including 8-of-18 (44%) from downtown.
They were 13-of-21 (62%) from the free throw line, committed 10 turnovers and came away with six steals.
Potosi 67, River Ridge 58
(from Tuesday, Dec. 4)
River Ridge 8 12 20 18 - 58
Potosi 9 14 16 28 - 67
River Ridge - Kirk Martin 11, Joel Mezera 19, Cody Witzig 12, Trevor Langmeier 5, Spencer White 2, Zach Ertz 3, Alex Breuer 6. Totals - 30 6-16 58
Potosi - Jase Udelhofen 2, Hunter Leibfried 21, Chase Kruser 2, Mitch Langkamp 15, Alex Wright 5, Spencer Hawes 22. Totals - 23 13-21 67.
3-point goals - RR: Martin 1, Mezera 4, Witzig 1, Langmeier 1, Eritz 1, P: Leibfried 3, Langkamp 1, Hawes 4. Team fouls - RR: 17, P: 18. Fouled out - Mezera (RR).
