Dylan Muggler has become a fine all-around player for NFV, as he produces points, rebounds, assists and steals in every game. Here, the junior splits a pair of opponents in recent action to get the basket. (Jerry Wadian photo)
TigerHawk boys win 2 in UIC
By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com
NFV won two boys’ basketball games in the UIC last week. Before falling to Crestwood at home on Saturday.
The TigerHawks beat Kee, 66-51 on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and MFL/MM, 59-56 in overtime Friday in Monona.
The TigerHawks started the week off by feasting on home cooking against Kee High, 66-51.
The first eight minutes was a dogfight as the teams exchanged baskets, ending in a 15-15 tie.
The contest was decided in the second quarter when NFV went on a 24-10 tear to lead 39-25 at halftime.
The game went back to an exchange of baskets in the second half with the TigerHawks winning the final 16 minutes, 27-26.
According to head coach Dan Hovden, “The reason for the big second quarter was better defense. We played really good D, which led to more offensive opportunities.”
Another reason behind the win was the fact that the TigerHawks dominated the boards with 40 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass, which allowed second-chance opportunities.
Lance Butikofer had a career night, missing a triple-double by two rebounds. The junior scored 20 points, dished out 11 assists and hauled down nine boards; all were team-highs.
Croy Schott was also in double digits with 10 points and was second on the team in rebounds with six.
NFV (66)- Points- Butikofer, 20; Schott, 10; Olson, 7; Haught, 5; Ward, 3; Hovden, 3; Imoehl, 2. 3-pointers- Butikofer, 4; Ginger, 2; Ward, Haught. Rebounds- Butikofer, 9; Schott, 6; Imoehl, 5; Hovden, 3; Haught, 3; Muggler, 3; Ward, 2; Ginger, 2; Olson, 2. Assists- Butikofer, 11; Hovden, 3; Olson, 2; Muggler, Schott. Steals- Hovden, 5; Haught, Ward, Butikofer, Olson. Blocks- Schott, 5; Imoehl, 2; Butikofer, 2.
Friday in Monona, things were close all the way. It took overtime, before NFV prevailed, 59-56.
Friday’s game looked a lot like the opening game back in November, which NFV also won by three points, 51-48, in West Union.
In Monona on Friday, the TigerHawks held a lead through most of the first half, and walked into the halftime locker room leading, 30-24.
The Bulldogs narrowed the lead to three, 40-37, going into the final eight minutes of play, and managed to tie the game at 52-52 the end of regulation. MFL/MM tried a 3-pointer at the buzzer that wouldn’t go in.
The TigerHawks won the OT when, for the second time this season, Butikofer beat the Bulldogs with a trey at the buzzer.
Friday night, the ‘Dogs went 8-21 from outside and had 29 rebounds. Meanwhile, NFV made five treys in seven attempts and grabbed 38 rebounds.
For the second consecutive contest, Butikofer led the TigerHawk scoring with 19 points, including four treys. Schott added a dozen points and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.
NFV (59)- Points- Butikofer, 19; Schott, 12; Olson, 8; Muggler, 7; Ward, 4; Ginger, 3; Hovden, 2; Haught, 2; Imoehl, 2. 3-pointers- Butikofer, 4; Ginger. Rebounds- Schott, 10; Olson, 9; Butikofer, 5; Muggler, 4; Imoehl, 4; Haught. Assists- Hovden, 4; Olson, 3; Butikofer, 3; Haught, Muggler. Steals- Hovden, 2; Schott, 2; Butikofer, 2. Blocks- Schott, 2.
The mini streak of victories ended on Saturday as Crestwood drubbed the TigerHawks, 52-14.
NFV scored three points in the opening period and four more in the second quarter. For the second half, the TigerHawks made just seven points, all of which came in the third period.
In all, NFV managed just 31 total shots, making six for a 19.4 percent shooting percentage. To compound the problem, NFV missed its only two free throws.
NFV (14)- Points- Ginger, 5; Muggler, 4; Butikofer, 3; Schott, 2. 3-pointers- Ginger, Butikofer. Rebounds- Imoehl, 3; Hovden, 3; Ginger, 3; Ward, 2; Butikofer, 2; Muggler, 2; McTaggart, Darnall. Assists- Muggler, Imoehl, Hovden, Butikofer. Steal- Butikofer. Blocks- Imoehl, 2; Butikofer.
After the week was over, head coach Dan Hovden commented, “Saturday, we just didn’t have much energy left after the OT game the prior night in Monona, and the tall, physical Cadets had not played in over a week.
“We paid really good attention to detail in our wins, and I continue to see growth as we approach the playoffs,” the TigerHawk mentor concluded.
NFV won two boys’ basketball games in the UIC last week. Before falling to Crestwood at home on Saturday.
The TigerHawks beat Kee, 66-51 on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and MFL/MM, 59-56 in overtime Friday in Monona.
