Wisconsin Heights boys win one, lose one

Wisconsin Heights’ boys basketball team split a pair of games last week. The Vanguards defeated Parkview, 57-53, on Jan. 28. Heights also fell to New Glarus, 71-54, on Jan. 30. The Vanguards are now 6-9 overall and 1-3 in the Capitol Small Conference. Here’s a recap of Heights’ week: • Wisconsin Heights 57, Parkview 53 — Reed Adler had 17 of his 22 points in the second half as the Vanguards rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to prevail. “Reed Adler was stellar for us in the second half,” Heights coach Nolan Krentz said. Mike Fancsali added 16 points and six rebounds, while Logan Duhr had four assists and two steals. Ethan Myers had four assists and two steals, while Brayden Van Riper had three blocks. Heights led, 15-12, in the first half when Parkview finished the half on a 21-7 run and took a 33-22 lead to the break. Parkview star guard Aiden Crane made four 3-pointers and had 22 of his 34 points in the first half. “We struggled to contain Aiden Crane,” Krentz said. Parkview pushed its lead to 40-25 when Heights went on a stunning 26-5 run and took a 51-45 lead with just more than 4 minutes remaining. “We finally started to get things going on offense and were able to make a run of our own,” Krentz said. Parkview tried making a run, but Adler always had an answer, scoring the Vanguards’ final nine points. Heights shot a blistering 12-of-20 in the second half (60.0%) and was 20-of-36 for the game (55.6%). The Vanguards also limited the high-flying Crane to just two points in the final 11 ½ minutes. “We did a better job forcing turnovers and limiting Crane in the second half,” Krentz said. “Parkview is in our half of the sectional and came into the game with a winning record (9-5), so hopefully this win will help us down the road as we enter the final month of the regular season.” • New Glarus 71, Wisconsin Heights 54 — The Vanguards put three players in double figures, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to the Glarner Knights (9-8, 3-2). “While, we did not get the win, we continue to get better and took another step forward as a team in this game,” Krentz said. Van Riper had a tremendous all-around game with 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and six blocks. Adler led the Vanguards with 11 points, while Myers added 10 points and Mike Fancsali had two steals. Heights took an early 16-12 lead. But New Glarus rallied with a 25-11 run to finish the first half and take a 37-27 lead at the break. “We had a rough few minutes,” Krentz said. “New Glarus increased their pressure.” Heights started the second half strong and pulled within 39-35. But New Glarus gradually pulled away and coasted home. “They are strong attacking the rim,” Krentz said of the Glarner Knights. “And while I thought we did a solid job taking that away, we struggled closing out against their shooters and that allowed them to make 12 three-point baskets on the night.” Despite the loss, Krentz was pleased that his team finished with a season-low 13 turnovers. “I was most pleased with how we took care of the basketball,” Krentz said. “Aside from a couple stretches during each half, we did a terrific job against New Glarus’ full court press and half court scramble.” • On deck: Heights was at Belleville Monday, then travels to conference-leading Cambridge Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Vanguards then travel to Pecatonica on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.  “We have a difficult stretch of games coming up,” Krentz said. “Hopefully we are ready to go in both games.”