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Healthy McCann hurts Janesville Parker

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Milton's Riley Kovars looks to pass between Parker's Erik Albeck, left, and Andrew Somerville.

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Milton's Luke Ganz reaches around from behind Parker's Decker Thompson who looks to one-arm a pass.

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Photo by Dan Lassiter

Parker's Charlie Grafft is double teamed by Milton's Samuel McCann, left, and Erick Bolden.

MILTON — Milton High School’s Sam McCann feels better, and that was bad news for the Janesville Parker Vikings.

The Red Hawks defeated the Vikings, 73-56, Tuesday in nonconference boys basketball behind McCann’s game-high 26 points.

The loss drops Parker to 4-10 overall, while Milton improves to 7-8.

McCann missed Milton’s first five games due to a football injury and was eased back slowly. Against Parker, the 6-foot, 5-inch senior forward posted his highest scoring game in the last five.

“I’m getting there,” McCann said. “I’m not feeling that good yet.”

McCann was feeling fit enough to give Parker fits, scoring 15 points in the second half.

“(The game) was aggressive,” McCann said. “I felt like I could score every time down in the post.’’

McCann said Parker put up a fight down low.

“(Erik) Albeck was pushing me out to the foul line,” McCann said. “It was tough to make plays.’’

Parker coach Ryan Masterson gave credit to McCann and Milton’s overall effort, but he was not happy with the Vikings’ play.

“They dictated the play to us,” Masterson said. “I was very disappointed in our effort. We did not execute.’’

Parker scored the first five points of the game on a pair of turnovers, and Albeck’s three-point play. Milton jumped back to hold the lead until Parker scrapped to a 16-15 advantage just before the quarter ended.

Brandon Ross hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give Milton an 18-16 lead. Parker played from behind the rest of the way.

Parker trailed 27-26 with 3:52 remaining in the half, but Milton busted off an 8-1 run to close the half with a 34-27 lead.

“Every time we’d get close, we couldn’t step up,” Masterson said. “They would just pull away.’’

Tanner Smith scored eight of his 13 points in the first half. Andrew Somerville, Albeck and Charlie Grafft added 10 points apiece.

Milton finished off the Vikings with a 25-16 fourth-quarter advantage.

Ross finished with 14 points, including four three-pointers, and Luke Ganz chipped in 10 points.

“It is really neat to beat a team like Parker,” Milton coach Zach Groelle said. “It feels really good.’’

While Groelle was praising the Red Hawks, the Vikings puzzled Masterson.

“We are a better team than what we showed tonight,” Masterson said.

MILTON 73, PARKER 56

Parker (56)—Somerville, 3-4-10; Smith, 6-1-13; Albeck, 4-2-10; D. Thompson, 3-0-8; Palan, 1-0-3; Grafft, 4-1-10; Treinen, 1-0-2. Totals: 23-8-56

Milton (73)—Westrick, 1-2-5; Ledger, 1-0-2; Ross, 5-0-14; Kovars, 1-1-3; McCann, 12-2-26; Johnson, 1-0-3; Ganz, 4-2-10; Hartman, 1-0-2; Bolden, 4-0-8. Totals: 30-7-73

Janesville Parker 16 12 12 16—56

Milton 18 1614 25—73

Three-point goals—Parker 4 (D. Thompson 2, Palan, Grafft), Milton 6 (Westrick, Ross 4, Johnson). Free throws missed—Parker 6, Milton 6. Total fouls—Parker 18, Milton 13.