The Class B No. 10 Blair boys basketball team played well at times during Saturday's 66-46 loss at No. 6 Bennington.
“We had moments where we were clicking,” coach Chris Whitwer said, noting his team's occasional movement on offense and strong defensive play.
“And then we had moments where we just allowed them to win on the boards,” the coach continued. “Too many times when we allowed second- and third-shot opportunities.”
The Badgers didn't just turn those chances into two points either.
“It wasn't always just a simple putback, it was kickout-off-of-the-rebound 3,” the coach said. “That really hurt us.”
After a 15-all first period, Bennington won each of the next three quarters. It, ultimately, scored the first seven points of the second 8 minutes and never looked back.
The Bears twice cut the home team's lead to five points during the third period, but it was all the closer they got. Transition defense, Whitwer said, cost his team, too.
“We stared letting things compound, which led to the separation,” he added. “That was kind of the message to the boys — we've got to focus.”
Altogether, the Badgers didn't do anything BHS didn't prepare for during practice.
“We've just got to execute better,” Whitwer said.
Sophomore Bear Bo Meier led all scorers in defeat. He notched 18 points with a made 3-pointer, while Crayton Macholan tallied 11 points. Aidan Slominski scored six, too, while Hayden Daggett and Ben Holcomb score five points apiece.
BHS' Lucas Matejka hit a free throw down the stretch as well.
Bennington, meanwhile, was led by Austin Kaiser and Gavin Olson. The duo, Nos. 1 and 3, combined for 30 points as Hudson Neuverth scored 11 individually. Jace Fitzgerald had 10 points for the Badgers, too, who improved to 7-5 overall.
Blair dropped to 5-5 in defeat. It next plays 7:45 p.m. tonight at Wahoo.
BHS BOYS HOOPS LINE SCORE
Saturday
No. 6 Bennington 66, No. 10 Blair 46
BHS (5-5) 15 11 16 4 — 46
BEN (7-5) 15 18 20 13 — 66
Scoring: BHS — Bo Meier 18, Crayton Macholan 11, Aidan Slominski 6, Hayden Daggett 5, Ben Holcomb 5, Lucas Matejka 1.
BEN — Austin Kaiser 15, Gavin Olson 15, Hudson Neuverth 11, Jace Fitzgerald 10, Bryce Dunning 6, Easton Lapel 6, Aidan Smith 2, Elliott Andersen 1.
