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Clutch free throws secure victory for Pecatonica boys
By Trenten Scheidegger
RANDY STUKENBERG PHOTO The Gazette
Pec can’t shake Nequa Valley
Pecatonica’s Tyler Bird tries to get through the Nequa Valley defense of Carson Rheaume, left, and John Bieber during the second quarter of their game in Pecatonica on Feb. 10. Pecatonica unfortunately lost the game 79-59 that night.
The Pecatonica Indians picked up their 21st win of the 2023-24 boys’ basketball season with a victory over Lena-Winslow, last week.
On Feb. 5, the Le-Win Panthers played host to the Indians in an NUIC rematch from just a few weeks prior. Back in late January, Pecatonica earned a 58-51 victory over the Panthers. This time, the Indians looked to complete the season sweep with a victory over the Panthers in Lena.
With Pecatonica’s status over recent years, the Indians have a bit of a target on their back. They are going to get the very best from their opponents, each and every night. The Panthers showed them that when they loaded the gym for their most recent matchup.
At the start, the Le-Win offense was buzzing. They did enough to keep things close with Pec in the opening quarter. Mason Peterson and Drew Williams combined for four three-pointers in the first. Cooper Hoffman and Jaxon Diedrich added a pair of baskets of their own. By the end of one, the Indians found themselves trailing 19-18.
The second quarter continued what was a surprisingly even matchup. Hoffman got himself going by getting to the line, where he went four for four in the quarter. Joshua Jennings hit a three of his own, while Peterson hit his third of the night. The Panthers continued to keep pace, however, and the game went into halftime tied 34-34.
Pecatonica came out looking like a new team in the second half, luckily. Peterson hit another pair of three-pointers in the third quarter, giving him five on the night. Hoffman continued to attack the interior, putting up five points in the third. The Indians outscored Le-Win 20-10 in the quarter as they took a 54-44 lead into the fourth.
The Le-Win offense gave it their all in the fourth. A trio of three-pointers helped them put up 25 points in the quarter as they tried to erase the deficit. Thanks to some crucial free throw shots, the Indians managed to protect their lead. Williams was collected at the line, hitting seven of his eight attempts in the fourth. Hoffman also went four for four, while Jordan Gassman was two for two. The Panthers tried to foul to extend the game, but the Indians continued to make their shots. As a team, Pecatonica hit 13 of their 16 fourth quarter free throws. On the game, they were 19 for 26.
Peterson led the team in scoring with 24 points. Hoffman and Williams were both next up with 17 each. Diedrich added eight as the Indians picked up a 74-69 victory.
That was the start of a very busy week and a three-game road trip for the Indians. After traveling to face off with the Panthers, the Indians went on to beat Belvidere on Feb. 6 and Durand on Feb. 9. Then on Feb. 10, the Indians returned home in a 79-59 loss to Neuqua Valley. Todd Sutton, former Pecatonica head coach, now leads the program at Neuqua Valley. Sutton was victorious in his return to face off with his old team. That loss snapped a six-game win streak for Pec and dropped their overall record to 24-5 on the year.
