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Parker boys rebound to defeat Purple Knights

JANESVILLE — Janesville Parker High shook off a sub-par performance on Tuesday to post a confidence-building, 65-53 victory Thursday over Beloit Memorial in Big Eight Conference boys basketball.

Not only did the Vikings rebound from a dismal 73-56 nonconference loss to Milton, they gained revenge for a 60-32 defeat to the Purple Knights last December.

Parker improved to 3-8 in the Big Eight and 5-10 overall.

"Even my players say they are surprised I don't have grey hair," Parker coach Ryan Masterson said. "Some nights we look pretty good, and other nights not so good."

Parker showed it's good side against Beloit. Parker never let the Purple Knights gain the upper hand through the first three quarters, and then dropped the hammer in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

"It's a huge win to beat Beloit," Masterson said. "It's such a marquee program in the state, and it doesn't happen for us very much over here."

Beloit's Andre Neal scored a game-high 24 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter behind an eight-for-eight performance from the foul line. The Knights made six of 22 three-point attempts.

Parker trailed 29-25 at the half, but held the Knights to nine points in the third quarter to take a 40-38 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Vikings kept the momentum behind senior Andrew Somerville who scored 11 of his team-high 23 points in the final quarter.

Parker made 11 of 13 free throws in the fourth quarter. Somerville went a six for seven, and Decker Thompson made five of six from the line and finished with 12 points.

"We say if we run our offense, we are a pretty good team," Masterson said. "We really executed. We reversed the ball and we were patient. We had open shots and we made them."

Decker Thompson hit a pair of free throws to open the final frame, but Andre Neal's dunk off a Beloit steal pulled the Knights to within 42-40. Somerville answered Neal's slam with a key three-point basket that not only gave Parker a 45-40 lead, but also infused the Vikings with the confidence to defeat a team that beat them by nearly 30 points earlier this season.

"Coach was saying that to us to get us pumped and get us to get ready for some revenge," Somerville said. "We knew we had to take it to them."

Parker rolled to a 49-40 lead on a pair of Charlie Grafft baskets and a three-point play from Somerville for a 52-40 lead with five minutes remaining to seal the victory.

"Our kids left it all on the floor tonight," Masterson said. "It's great to see them bounce back after a disappointing loss on Tuesday, and then to be able to come back and get a win like this on our home floor."

PARKER 65, BELOIT 53

Beloit (53)—Neal, 7-9-24; Elliott, 2-0-6; Edwards, 2-0-5; Carbrera, 2-0-4; Barnes, 2-0-4; Davies, 3-0-8. Totals: 18-9-53.

Parker (65)—Somerville, 5-11-23; Smith, 3-3-9; Albeck, 4-1-10; Grafft, 4-0-8; Treinen, 2-0-4; D. Thompson, 3-6-12. Totals: 21-21-65

Beloit Memorial 13 16 9 15—53

Janesville Parker 17 8 15 25—65

Three-point goals—Beloit 8 (Neal 3, Elliott 2, Edwards, Davies 2). Free throws missed—Beloit 1, Parker 5. Total fouls—Beloit 15, Parker 11. Fouled out—Grafft.