The first Bay Conference victory of the season continues to elude the Oconto Falls High School boys basketball team.
The Panthers outscored Seymour 21-12 in the fourth quarter Friday but still fell far short of upsetting the conference leader, dropping a 62-45 decision at home.
Coach Kirk Hirst said the Panthers (2-11, 0-9 Bay) are still learning to play together but are improving. Oconto Falls lost its first game against the Thunder, 67-28, in December.
“We have had kids playing together that never have,” he said. “We didn’t quit. We came back, and we have done that in other games. I am proud of the kids for that.”
Towering seniors Riley Greutzmacher (6 feet, 5 inches) and Michael Fifield (6-8) each scored a team-leading 12 points in the loss. On the boards, Gruetzmacher snagged six while Fifield had five.
“Riley has been playing a lot better the last few games,” Hirst said. “Riley can be as good as anybody, but he has to realize that it isn’t just his ability but his leadership on the floor that will make him a much better athlete. He is big and strong, and when he puts his mind to it, nobody can stop him in the post.”
Juniors Brayden Wilinski and Reed Blake led Seymour (12-2, 8-1 Bay) with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Hirst said the Panthers did not get out quickly enough to defend the Seymour shooters “because we weren’t talking in our defensive sets.”
Despite the loss, Hirst remains hopeful the team can bounce back, with six of the last eight games against Bay opponents.
The Panthers are at home against New London (4-10, 2-7 Bay) Friday, and Hirst said the team has an opportunity to avenge an early season 66-41 loss.
“I like where we are heading right now,” he said. “We need to just continue with building on the Seymour game. … We talk every day in practice and games about competing at a high level. I think after the game against Seymour, they are getting it.”
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