Heights boys split a pair

Wisconsin Heights’ boys basketball team split a pair of games last week. The Vanguards defeated Poynette, 58-49, on Jan. 7. Cambridge then toppled Heights, 75-30,  on Jan. 10. The Vanguards fell to 3-7 overall and 0-1 in the Capitol South Conference. • Wisconsin Heights 58, Poynette 49 — Mike Fancsali had 14 points, 15 rebounds and five assists to help the Vanguards snap a three-game losing streak. Reed Adler added 14 points, as well. Zach Sander had nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Logan Duhr had six rebounds, as well. “Having not played since Dec. 27, I thought we did a great job as a team competing for 36 minutes and getting the win on our home court,” Heights coach Nolan Krentz said. Heights used an early 18-0 run to build a 25-8 lead. The Vanguards held a 29-15 halftime lead behind 13 points from Adler and strong shooting from the field (12-of-23, 52.2%). “Unfortunately, our two main ball-handler — Reed (Adler) and Logan Duhr — got into foul trouble in the second half and that allowed Poynette to cut into our lead,” Kremtz said. Poynette stormed back, pulling as close as four points in the second half. That was as close as the Pumas could come, though, as Heights made the majority of its free throws down the stretch. “I was really pleased with the performance of Zach Sander who stepped up with two of our guards in foul trouble,” Krentz said. “Zach played a season-high in minutes. I also though Mike Fancsali stepped up for us, as well, to finish with his first double-double of the season and second-ever.” • Cambridge 75, Wisconsin Heights 30 — The Blue Jays dominated from start to finish, eventually securing a running clock against the Vanguards. Brayden Van Riper led Heights with 13 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block, while Reed Adler had 11 points. Mike Fancsali had six rebounds, and Logan Duhr added three assists. “Fortunately, it was just our first conference game of the season and hopefully we can learn and grow from it the next time we take the court,” Krentz said. Cambridge took an early 7-0 lead, but Heights responded and closed within 12-9. The Blue Jays answered with a 23-5 run, though, and took a 35-14 halftime lead. “We struggled with turnovers (16) in the first half and that led to many run-outs and easy baskets for Cambridge,” Krentz said. “In the second half, I thought we did a much better job taking care of the ball and running out offense, but could not get any closer.” Heights went ice cold down the stretch, too, scoring just one point in the final 11 minutes. That helped Cambridge turn a 25-point lead into a 45-point advantage. “Cambridge is a very talented team and one of the favorites to win our conference this season,” Krentz said. “I was hoping we could build off of our momentum of our win against Poynette earlier in the week and be much more competitive, but that was not the case.” • On deck: Heights was at Madison Country Day Tuesday, then hosts Waterloo Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The Vanguards are then off until Jan. 21, when they travel to Belleville for a 7:30 p.m. contest.