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Somerville leads Parker boys to win

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Parker's Shawn Bohler tries to get a pass by Delavan-Darien's Danny Supernaw (33) on Friday.

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Parker's Decker Thompson pressures Delavan-Darien's Dylan Heller on Friday.

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Parker's Andrew Somerville drives with Delavan-Darien's Bryce Hembrook defending on Friday.

JANESVILLE — Andrew Somerville was at a loss for words, but the grin on his face spoke volumes.

The Janesville Parker High School senior guard scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Friday to spark the Vikings to a 73-44 victory over the visiting Delavan-Darien Comets in a nonconference boys basketball season opener.

“I really don’t know what to say,” Somerville said when asked about his double-double.

Despite his strong start, Somerville, who was honorable mention All-Big Eight last season, knows it doesn’t mean he or the Vikings can rest.

“I know I did some things right and some things wrong,” said Somerville, the Vikings’ team captain. “I have to make some changes before we play Madison Memorial (next Thursday).”

Parker started quickly against Delavan-Darien, rolling to a 27-3 first-quarter lead. Somerville scored nine points to lead the charge.

“I thought we came out and ran things real efficiently,” Parker coach Ryan Masterson said. “I was real pleased. Our defensive intensity was excellent.’’

Masterson said Somerville brings a strong work ethic to the table.

“Andrew is one of the hardest working kids I’ve ever been around,” Masterson said. “He just does an excellent job of taking care of the ball, too. He could have an outstanding year for us.’’

Seniors Erik Albeck and Charlie Grafft added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Albeck, Grafft and Somerville are expected to shoulder the leadership roles for Parker.

“Erik is an explosive player, and he can do so many things for us,” Masterson said. “He gets us going and did that in the beginning of the game.’’

Masterson said the 6-foot-9 Grafft will be worked more into the mix as the season progresses.

“We could have run some more stuff (for Grafft),” Masterson said. “But the flow of the game just kind of went that way.”

After taking the big lead, the Vikings lost some of their intensity, and the Comets took advantage to post an 18-12 edge in the second quarter to cut Parker’s lead to 39-21 at the half.

Justin Held scored 13 points and Bryce Hembrook added 10 points for Delavan-Darien.

“Delavan is a gritty club, and I knew they would make a run at us,” Masterson said. “We got a little lackadaisical and lost our focus for a bit.’’

Somerville scored five points to help put the Vikings back on track en route to a 54-32 lead after three quarters.

With the first win of the season in the books, Parker has its work cut out facing the defending state champion Spartans at Memorial on Thursday and Middleton on Friday in back-to-back Big Eight tests.

“We have a big week next week,” Masterson said. “We have some good athletes, and we should do fine.’’

PARKER 73, DELAVAN-DARIEN 44

Delavan-Darien (44)—Skelton, 1-0-2; Samuelson, 1-0-3; Heller, 2-0-4; Rodriguez, 1-0-2; Held, 5-3-13; Lonergan, 3-0-8; Hembrook, 4-2-10; Huber, 1-0-2. Totals: 17-5-44.

Parker (73)—Somerville, 9-1-20; Smith, 2-0-4; Albeck, 5-3-13; D. Thompson, 1-4-6; Palan, 2-0-6; Grafft, 5-0-10; Bohler, 2-1-5; Treinen, 0-2-2; Pullam, 1-1-4. Totals: 28-13-73

Delavan-Darien 3 18 11 12—44

Janesville Parker 27 12 17 17—73

Three-point goals—Delavan-Darien 3 (Samuelson, Lonergan 2), Parker 4 (Somerville, Palan 2, Pullam). Free throws missed—Delavan-Darien 2, Parker 7. Total fouls—Delavan-Darien 15, Parker 8.