• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Elks hold off Wateford in key Southern Lakes game

ELKHORN — Elkhorn High senior forward Max Findreng enjoys having the ball in his hands in crucial situations.

The rest of the Elks, however, don’t appear to be as confident.

Findreng calmly drained 12 fourth-quarter free throws to hold off Waterford’s powerful second-half comeback and propel the Elks past the Wolverines, 59-51, in a Southern Lakes Conference boys basketball showdown here Friday night.

Findreng finished with a game-high 21 points, while Eric Bryson had 13, and Skyler O’Laughlin pitched in 10 as Elkhorn (11-1, 6-0) increased its league lead to a 12 over Waterford (8-5, 5-2).

First place aside, Elkhorn coach John Handel wasn’t pleased with his team’s second-half intensity.

“Their pressure just got ratcheted up, and I think we needed to step up and play a little harder,” Handel said. “Thank God we made some free throws at the end.

“We have to find more passion at the defensive end in those biggest plays of the game, because we were playing for a lot tonight.”

Waterford certainly played with defensive passion in the second half. After trailing 30-12 at halftime, Wolverines coach Mickey Mala deployed a full-court press.

The press immediately took the Elks out of an offensive rhythm and allowed Waterford to start chipping away at the lead.

Beau Steffens’ three-pointer brought Waterford to within 38-29 with a minute left in the third quarter.

Steffens scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half to lead Waterford, while Brent Kuschewski added 16.

The Elks managed to hold an eight-point late into the fourth when Waterford made one final run.

Steffens’ two free throws, followed by Brent Plantz’s steal and layup cut the Waterford deficit to 53-49 with 1:10 to play.

“The press got our energy level up, and we were moving off the ball better compared to the first half,” Mala said. “We’ve been a second half team all year long, but we haven’t played a good first half all year long.”

Waterford’s patented second-half run, however, wasn’t quite enough to catch the Elks.

Jordan Lockhart promptly beat the Waterford press with a layup. Findreng added four clutch free throws to finally put the Wolverines away.

“I love having the ball when the clock is ticking down. That’s when it’s the best,” Findreng said.

ELKHORN 59, WATERFORD 51

Waterford (51)—Kuschewski, 7-2-16; Steffens, 5-6-19; Plantz, 1-1-3; Vaccaro, 2-0-4; Sturino, 2-3-7; Chart, 1-0-2; Totals: 18-12-51.

Elkhorn (59)—Gahart, 3-0-6; Olson, 2-1-5; Findreng, 3-14-21; Bryson, 4-4-13; O’Laughlin, 4-2-10; Blackbourn, 1-0-2; Lockhart, 1-0-2. Totals: 18-21-59.

Waterford 4 8 17 22-51

Elkhorn 15 15 11 18-59

Three point goals – Waterford 3 (Steffens), Elkhorn 2 (Bryson, Findreng). Free throws missed – Waterford 4, Elkhorn 6. Total Fouls – Waterford 22, Elkhorn 18. Fouled out – Vaccaro, Olson.