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Parker earns share of Big Eight title

JANESVILLE — Big Eight Conference champions. Again.

Janesville Parker’s girls basketball team gave coach Tom Klawitter his 15th Big Eight title in 19 years Friday night with a methodical 46-35 win over Madison East.

The fourth-ranked Vikings (18-2 overall) share the conference title with Middleton for the second straight year after both teams finished 15-1 in the Big Eight.

Parker struggled against the last-place Purgolders (2-18, 1-15), but built a double-digit lead late in the first half and was never threatened after that.

“We did what we had to do to win,” Klawitter said.

“I think a lot of it has to do with scheduling. There’s no continuity in it. It’s tough when you go eight days in between games after you’re used to playing at least two games a week.”

No one enjoyed Senior Night more than Alex Klawitter. The Vikings’ second-leading scorer erupted for 22 points, including four three-point baskets, to break out of a scoring slump. The 5-foot-8 Klawitter scored all six of Parker’s points in a sluggish third quarter, and added two three-pointers to begin the fourth as the lead grew to 38-24.

“Probably the one shining about the game was the play of Alex,” Klawitter said of his daughter. “She played well and hit some big shots.

“We’ve been talking about being more aggressive and looking to shoot, and she did a lot more of that tonight. That was good to see.”

Parker started the game with a lid on the basket. The Vikings missed their first 15 shots and trailed 7-3 with under two minutes to play in the quarter. Klawitter made the team’s first basket—a three-pointer—to cut the lead to 7-6 with 1:10 left in the first, and Catie O’Leary gave the Vikings the lead for good with 37 seconds left with a layup off a steal.

O’Leary, the Big Eight’s leading scorer, had a quiet 13 points. The junior had only four in the second half and struggled to get on track.

“Catie is just not finishing her shot right now, but she’s not the only one,” Klawitter said. “We’re forcing shots at times, and that’s something we’ll work on next week.”

Parker is the No. 1 seed in the Wilmot Sectional and draws a bye in Tuesday’s opening round of Division 1 play.

“Tournament is a whole different deal,” coach Klawitter said. “It’s a new season, and I like our chances.”

PARKER 46, EAST 35

East (35)—Ramsey, 1-0-2; Warner, 2-3-7; Heldorn, 1-2-4; Johnson, 4-1-9; McClain, 2-0-4; Czechowicz, 2-2-7; Schoenemann, 0-2-2. Totals: 12-10-35.

Parker (46)—Klawitter, 8-2-22; O’Leary, 5-1-13; Quillman, 2-2-6; Flood, 1-1-3; Busfield, 1-0-2. Totals: 17-6-46.

East 7 6 11 11—35

Parker 12 14 6 14—46

Three-point goals—East 1 (Czechowicz), Parker 6 (Klawitter 4, O’Leary 2). Free throws missed—East 2, Parker 6. Total fouls—East 14, Parker 14.

Sophomores—Parker finished 10-8 overall and 8-8 in the Big Eight. Parker leading scorers: Frankie Larson, 14; Kaynesha Zinn, 10.