Kimberly has Hortonville’s number
By Greg Seubert
It was a chance for Hortonville to gain some ground in the Fox Valley Association boys’ basketball standings.
Kimberly, however, had other ideas.
The Papermakers improved to 14-0 in the FVA and 16-2 overall Feb. 7 with an 80-76 win. It was also Kimberly’s second victory of the season over the Polar Bears, who fell to 12-3 in the FVA and 17-3 overall.
Kimberly used a 10-0 run to take a 16-6 early lead. The Papermakers eventually built a 31-17 lead, but Hortonville’s 8-0 run cut the lead to six points.
The Polar Bears later cut the lead to one point twice late in the first half, but trailed 40-38 at the break.
The Papermakers opened the second half with a 9-0 run that included a three-pointer and a pair of three-point plays.
Logan Pearson’s three-pointer gave the Papermakers a 10-point lead, but another Hortonville rally cut the lead to 54-51.
A pair of three-point plays from Pearson quickly pushed Kimberly’s lead back to nine points and the Papermakers eventually took a 69-58 lead.
Parker Lawrence’s three-pointer cut Kimberly’s lead to 73-70 with just over two minutes to go. Another Lawrence three-pointer make it 79-76 with 2.4 seconds left on the clock, but Hortonville never got another possession.
Lawrence led all scorers with 31 points, while Cole Warning added 18 and Jayqon Owens finished with 11. Jake Buchanan led Kimberly with 25.
The Polar Bears will play at Appleton North Thursday, Feb. 13, before heading to Neenah Friday, Feb. 21. Tipoff for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.