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Slow start dooms Parker boys

MADISON — Any hopes Janesville Parker High had of completing a sweep of second-place Madison La Follette were dashed early.

The Vikings committed three turnovers in their first four possessions and were outscored 19-4 in the opening quarter, as the Lancers beat Parker, 71-39, Thursday, in Big Eight Conference boys basketball.

Parker finished the Big Eight season with a 4-14 record (6-16 overall). The Lancers improved to 11-4, 13-4.

"We knew La Follette would come out and be extremely physical," Parker coach Ryan Masterson said. "I don't think we responded very well to that. We didn't match their intensity."

Wave after wave of Lancers attacked Parker with their full-court press and nine-man rotation, which forced 12 first-half Parker turnovers for a comfortable 36-18 halftime lead. The Vikings were also held to four points in both the first and fourth quarters, with La Follette gaining a 38-8 advantage.

Matt Hunter and Josh Morgan had 18 and 17 points, respectively, for the Lancers, who lost to Parker, 78-74, in their first meeting. Teammate Trevon Ampe added 11 points.

Andrew Somerville and Mitch Treinen each had eight points to lead the Vikings.

"The first time we executed really well on both ends," Masterson said. "But tonight, we gave up way too many offensive rebounds and turned the ball over, so it was a bad combination."

La Follette pulled away early behind consecutive three-pointers from Hunter and Morgan for an 8-2 lead. The tandem combined for five of the seven Lancer three-pointers.

The La Follette lead grew to 21-4, before Erik Albeck ended a 13-0 Lancers' run with a layup. Parker pulled within 21-10 following Tanner Smith's rebound putback, but that was as close as Parker would get.

"I still have faith in these guys because they have shown me they can bounce back from bad games," Masterson said. "I really do think they have a couple good games left in them. So, I think we can be dangerous in the tournament, but not if we play like this."

LA FOLLETTE 71, PARKER 39

Parker (39)—Somerville, 2-4-8; Smith, 1-0-2; Albeck, 2-0-4; D. Thompson, 2-0-4; Grafft, 2-2-7; Treinen, 4-0-8; Pullam, 2-0-4; Osmond 0-1-1; A. Thompson, 0-1-1. Totals: 15-8-39.

La Follette (71)—Morgan, 5-4-17; Hunter, 6-3-18; Thomas, 1-1-3; Ampe, 5-1-11; West, 1-1-4; Drury, 2-0-4; Brunner, 3-2-9; Prather, 1-0-2; Trickle, 1-1-3. Totals 26-12-71.

Janesville Parker 4 14 17 4—39

Madison La Follette 19 17 16 19—71

Three-point goals—Parker 1 (Grafft), La Follette 7 (Morgan 3, Hunter 2, West, Brunner). Free throws missed—Parker 4, La Follette 13. Total fouls—Parker 21, La Follette 16. Fouled out—Albeck, Smith.

Sophomores—La Follette won.