Indees start slow, can’t catch up in loss to Tigers

The Independence/Gilmanton boys basketball team showed some life after falling behind early, but couldn’t keep up with Hillsboro, falling 68-38 in the opening round of Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament play last Tuesday.

Hillsboro (19-6) scored the first 11 points of the game, but I/G made it interesting early by responding with six straight. Nery Lopez got the team on the board with a basket before Nolan Schank scored, then Lopez connected on a three-pointer to bring his team within four.

But the upset was not to be for No. 15 I/G. The second-seeded Tigers scored the next 14 points in the game before a Luis Ignacio three-pointer ended that run. But Hillsboro maintained control throughout the rest of the tournament opener.

The Tigers took a 37-17 lead into halftime. They maintained a 20-point lead early in the second half before pulling away further about midway through. 

Ignacio led I/G with 15 points, while Lopez added nine and Schank finished with eight. 

The Indees finished the season with a 2-23 overall record after starting 0-14. The team began the season with just two experienced players, and one missed the entire season after an injury in practice. I/G will return most of its roster next year, though two key starters — Schank and Lopez — will graduate. 

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Gibbs 0/3-0/0-2-0-0 Turner 0/2-0/0-0-0-0 Lopez 4/13-0/0-5-0-9 Cantulucio 0/3-0/0-1-0-0 Parr 3/9-0/0-3-4-6 Schank 4/12-0/0-8-4-8 Pronschinske 0/0-0/0-1-1-0 Ignacio 5/16-2/2-4-1-15