Friday, September 13, 2024
By Josh Staloch
Correspondent
SUAMICO – The Bay Port boys’ basketball team, having survived a fast start from Menomonee Falls March 6, looked to be in a good position for a win midway through the second half.
But the Indians staged a late comeback in a 71-70 WIAA Division 1 regional victory over the Pirates.
“We didn’t handle it well tonight at times,” said Bay Port head coach Nate Rykal of the speed of Menomonee Falls. “We turned it over eight times in the first half. On average, we turn it over maybe 11 times a game. It was a little uncharacteristic of us to do that. I’m proud of our kids for the way they played. Give Falls all the credit, though – they made the tough play tonight.”
Following a Bay Port turnover early in the contest, the Indians went up 10-3 on a pair of Steven Clay free throws.
The Pirates clawed their way out of the early deficit shortly after thanks to a Logan Geissler bucket in the paint, followed by a Conner Vannes drive to the hoop that resulted in a three-point play and a tie game, 13-13.
The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the first half, with Falls taking a 32-29 advantage into the locker room at the break.
With five minutes gone in the second half, Bay Port’s Nate Forystek converted a three-point play for a 38-37 advantage.
From there, the Pirates methodically went to work and built a 45-37 lead by the midway point in the second half.
But the Indians, sparked by a trey from the corner by Joey Tabbert, got right back into it.
Following Tabert’s three, Seth Trimble, who finished with a game-high 26 points, scored five unanswered, including one from long range, to get Falls to within two points, 47-45.
The Pirates fought back, keeping a four-point lead with good play in the paint, but Tabert hit another three-pointer from the same corner to draw his team to within one, 54-53.
The Indians reclaimed the lead on a strong play from Trimble, who double-clutched a shot in the lane and was fouled in the process.
From there, Falls managed to stay ahead with solid shooting from the free-throw line.
“We’re a young team, said Falls head coach Jason Hallenbeck. “We start three sophomores and play a fourth. With our youth, we’ve had some ups and downs this season. When we fell behind in the second half, that might have been a problem for us earlier in the year. Bay Port is a good team – it was a good matchup and a good game.”
Logan Geissler led Bay Port with 20 points, while Gunnar DeCleene (17) and Forystek (16) also had strong games.
Forystek and Geissler pulled down 13 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
