Lightning strikes in Hortonville

Polar Bears drop FVA opener

By Greg Seubert

If the first matchup of the season between Hortonville and Appleton North is any indication, the Fox Valley Association schedule will include plenty of intense, competitive boys’ basketball games.

Appleton North used a 20-4 midway through the second half Nov. 30 in a 79-66 win over the Polar Bears at Hortonville High School.

Hortonville also opened the season Nov. 28 with a 77-36 win over Notre Dame Academy on the Tritons’ home court.

Appleton North 79, Hortonville 66

Neither team led by more than six points in the first half and headed into the locker room at the break tied at 32-32.

A three-pointer from Nathan Ramus gave the Lightning a 37-34 in the opening minute of the second half and the Lightning never trailed again.

Appleton North’s 20-4 run started with the Lightning up 43-38. By the time Riley Mueller ended the run with a pair of free throws, the Polar Bears trailed 63-44.

The Lightning led by as many as 22 points before the Polar Bears cut the lead to 13 points with Kameron Chronis’ three-pointer in the game’s final minute.

Mueller led all scorers with 18 points and Ethan Joling and Drake Johnson finished with 15 and 12, respectively.
Will Sweeney led five Lightning players in double figures with 17 points.

Hortonville 77, Notre Dame Academy 36

The Polar Bears led 32-22 at halftime before outscoring the Tritons 45-14 in the second half.

Mueller led the Polar Bears with 22 points, while Gavin Valeri added 13 and Joling scored 12.

The Polar Bears hosted Green Bay Southwest Dec. 5 and will host Kimberly at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8.