• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Hard work pays off in victory for Milton boys

MILTON — The Milton Red Hawks made it their goal to host a WIAA state tournament game.

They accomplished that feat and the boys basketball team didn't waste the opportunity.

Milton's defense stifled Whitewater in the first quarter Tuesday night and the Red Hawks cruised to a 60-39 victory in a Division 2 regional game.

"We were excited to be playing a playoff game at home; it's the first time since 2006 we've had this opportunity and the guys worked their tails off in the second half of the season," Milton coach Zach Groelle said. "So I think we were fired up; we were ready to go.

"If (the Whippets])get going and shoot the ball well from outside, they can score a lot of points quickly."

Whitewater made just two baskets in the opening quarter as Milton forced five turnovers and jumped out to a 17-4 lead.

"We just knew we had to come out and have no regrets in this game," said Red Hawks senior James Spry, who scored seven points. "We had a few turnovers, but I still feel like we came around and dictated the whole game, and that first quarter really helped."

Luke Ganz led the Red Hawks with 12 points, but suffered an injury that took him out of the game in the third quarter. Drew Johnson and Tyler Westrick each added 10.

The Red Hawks won for the fourth time in five games.

"I think we've just been playing with more confidence," Groelle said.

Ganz's status for Friday's regional game at Fort Atkinson was not immediately known on Tuesday night. Milton and Fort Atkinson split the regular-season series.

MILTON 60, WHITEWATER 39

Whitewater (39)—Bullis, 3-1-7; Pelayo, 1-2-4; Hayes, 1-0-2; Gorsuch, 1-2-4; Harms, 2-0-6; Navejas, 1-0-2; Tautges, 0-1-1; Schumacher, 1-0-3; Cooper, 2-0-4; Juoni, 0-2-2; Stoll, 1-2-4. Totals: 13-9-39.

Milton (60)—D. Johnson, 4-2-10; Farnsworth, 0-2-2; Westrick, 4-0-10; Bowen, 1-2-4; Spry, 1-5-7; Hartman, 1-4-6; Hammil, 0-1-1; N. Johnson, 4-0-8; Ganz, 5-2-12. Totals: 20-18-60.

Whitewater 4 8 7 20—39

Milton 17 12 12 19—60

Three-point goals—Whitewater 3 (Harms 2, Schumacher), Milton 2 (Westrick 2). Free throws missed—Whitewater 8, Milton 5. Total fouls—Whitewater 21, Milton 16.