Oconto Falls boys beat Waupaca
By Greg Seubert
A North Eastern Conference championship is not in the cards this season for the Waupaca and Oconto Falls boys’ basketball teams.
They met for the first time this season Jan. 9 at Waupaca High School and the Panthers returned home with a 63-49 win.
The lead changed hands six times in the game’s opening minutes before the Panthers closed the first half with a 7-2 run to take a 31-24 lead at the break.
The Panthers added to their lead by opening the half with an 8-2 run to go up 39-26.
Evan Bogard’s three-pointer cut the lead to 10 points, but Waupaca never got any closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
Hunter Marcom led all players with 24 points and scored the Comets’ first eight points. Bogard was the only other Waupaca player to finish in double figures, as he scored all 11 of his points in the second half.
“We’re waiting for guys to step up,” coach Zach Mollner said. “When you’re open, you have to shoot it. You can’t be afraid.”
Mitchell Manns led the Panthers with 17 points, while Braden Uelmen and Joseph Walters added 14 and 11, respectively.
Waupaca fell to 2-4 in conference play and 2-7 overall. The Comets will travel to Clintonville Tuesday, Jan. 14, before hosting Little Chute Friday, Jan. 17. Tipoff for both games is set for 7 p.m.