SOUTH WAYNE — The Black Hawk Warriors boys’ basketball team put a pair of notches in the victory column last week to even their season record to 2-2 overall and in the Six Rivers East.
    The Warriors pressed down the visiting Monticello Ponies, 68-22, at home on Tuesday, Dec. 12, and then pounded their way to a 76-52 win at Juda on Friday, Dec. 15.
    “It was nice to see the ball go through the hoop. This week we focused on playing with more tempo and it showed,” said Black Hawk head coach Charlie Anderson.
    Junior Conner Meyer picked up the offensive pace for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 31 points in the win over the Ponies (1-5, 1-2) and pouring in 29 points in the win over the Panthers (3-3, 2-2). His scoring prowess was needed with the Warriors missing senior guard CJ Leuzinger in both games last week.
    In Tuesday’s game, the Warriors used their smothering full-court press to fuel an early 15-0 scoring run that put them in control of the game. Meyer scored 11 of the team’s points during the run, and then added 12 more points in the half to lead the hosts out to a 35-13 halftime lead.
    “Our press gave us some easy baskets. I thought we did a good job of getting to the basket for layups and playing with a high tempo,” stated Anderson.
    Black Hawk opened the second half with 12 answered points to erase any hopes for a Monticello comeback, and the Warriors cruised to a 68-22 win.
    Meyer pulled down nine rebounds and had six steals to go along with his 31 points. Senior Jett Rufenacht had nine points and six rebounds, while senior Michael Flanagan chipped in with eights and junior Colby Argall tallied six points, nine assists and four steals.
    In Friday’s game, the Warriors made a concerted effort to get the ball into the post and that’s exactly what they did.
    Black Hawk held a 37-23 lead the half, and went on to outscore the Panthers 39-29 in the second half to run away with a 24-point victory.
    “We got the ball to the high post against their zone and that allowed us to make things happen. Also, we had 16 second-chance points. Defensively, we held them to 31 percent shooting,” noted Coach Anderson.
    Rufenacht, Argall and senior Jason Treuthardt each scored 10 points to aid the Warriors’ victory.
    Black Hawk hosts Platteville in a non-conference contest on Friday, Dec. 22.
 
Monticello….... 13    9 – 22
Black Hawk…… 35   33 – 68
   Monticello – Gafner 2, Ace, 4, Errthum 5, Eyler 3, Blohowiak 1, Rufer 7. Totals – 9  4-10  22.
   Black Hawk – Michael Flanagan 8, Colby Argall 6, Jason Treuthardt 2, Kyle Lovelace 3, Tyler Triem 3, Jett Rufenacht 9, Brandon Schiferl 2, Conner Meyer 31, Jared Knapp 2. Totals – 28  8-11  68.
   3-point goals– M 0, BH 4 (Flanagan 2, Lovelace 1, Meyer 1). Total fouls– M 14, BH 15. Fouled out– none.