Heights boys split a pair

Wisconsin Heights’ boys basketball team split a pair of games last week. The Vanguards held off Richland Center, 57-53, on Jan. 16. Heights then dropped a 63-35 decision to Cambridge on Jan. 18. The Vanguards are now 7-7 overall and 0-2 in the Capitol Conference. Here’s a recap of Heights’ week: • Wisconsin Heights 57, Richland Center 53 — The Vanguards built an 18-point first half lead, then held on, surviving a frenzied second half comeback by the Hornets. Richland Center took a 53-52 lead with 18 seconds remaining. Heights junior Mike Fanscali was fouled going for a rebound with 2.9 seconds and made both free throws to give the Vanguards a 54-53 lead.   Richland Center was then assessed a technical foul for calling a timeout when its scorebook showed it didn’t have any left. Jon Vosburg made one of two technical free throws and sophomore Zach Sander made two free throws after being fouled on the ensuing inbound, allowing the Vanguards to prevail.  “This was one of the craziest games I’ve been a part of and I am proud of our players for their resiliency in pulling this game out,” Heights coach Nolan Krentz said. “We struggled after losing our point guard Reed Adler to injury midway through the second half, but others stepped up when we needed them to, which was great to see.” Heights built an early 29-11 lead, but the Hornets switched to a 2-3 zone and pulled within 32-23 by halftime. “We struggled against (the zone) allowing them to close the half on a 12-3 run,” Krentz said. Heights maintained its advantage most of the second half, but a late 12-0 run by the Hornets gave them a 51-50 lead — their first advantage since the first half. Vosburg made a pair of free throws to give the Vanguards a 52-51 edge, then Richland Center regained the lead setting up the frenetic finish. Vosburg finished with a career-high 21 points, while Adler had 12 points before exiting due to injury. Junior Ethan Myers had 10 points and four steals, Sander added seven points and four steals, and sophomore Nathan Pietrzykowski had a team-high eight assists along with four steals. Heights shot the ball extremely well, finishing 20-of-30 from the field (66.7%) and 14-of-20 from the free throw line (70.0%). The Vanguards struggled with turnovers, though, committing 27 overall, including 17 in the second half. “It certainly was not pretty, but you never apologize for winning,” Krentz said. “This was a good one to get after we had lost to Richland Center earlier this season.” • Cambridge 63, Wisconsin Heights 35 — The visiting Bluejays used a 29-0 first half run to grab a 31-6 lead and coast to a comfortable win. Jon Vosburg posted a double-double for the Vanguards, scoring 13 points and adding 10 rebounds. Nathan Pietrzykowski added seven points and three steals, while Ethan Myers had six points and four steals.   Heights played without guards Reed Adler and Logan Duhr, who both missed the game due to injury.   The Vanguards held an early 6-2 lead before Cambridge’s remarkable run. Heights trailed, 41-13 at halftime, but did play the Bluejays to a 22-22 stalemate in the second half. “We played much better in the second half, forcing 10 Cambridge turnovers, but could not get any closer,” Krentz said. “Shooting was our biggest problem.” The Vanguards shot just 13-of-44 (29.5%) from the field and 7-of-18 (38.9%) from the free throw line.   “With only have a day in between games and being down two starters, fatigue was definitely an issue and that certainly contributed to our shooting woes,” Krentz said. “I was pleased with our effort in the second half, and while scoring was still a struggle, we did a much better job running our offense, but just could not get shots to fall on a consistent basis.” • On deck: Heights was at Waterloo Tuesday, then hosts Marshall Saturday at 2:30 p.m.