Game Report: Sheboygan Lutheran 76, Oostburg 36

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEYS TO THE GAME</strong><br><br>Sheboygan Lutheran seized the momentum about six minutes into the game, and then the hot-shooting Crusaders let loose with a punishing punch that staggered and later floored visiting Oostburg. The Crusaders remained unbeaten and won their ninth outing of the campaign behind a balanced attack that included 20 points off the bench. Sheboygan Lutheran led 44-26 at intermission, and then starting dropping three-point shots in the second half of the Big East South Conference showdown. By the nine-minute mark of the second half, the lead had grown to 40 points and a running clock was used. It most certainly wasn't Oostburg best showing as the Flying Dutchmen simply ran into a buzzsaw before a packed crown of around 1,000 fans. Oostburg, which was limited to just 10 points in the second half, slipped to 6-3 with the loss and will hope to get some revenge on the Crusaders when the two teams meet against in Oostburg on Feb. 4.<br><br><strong>STAR OF THE GAME</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2549586"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677cbac60c2a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Krueger was a flame-thrower for Sheboygan Lutheran as the lanky backcourt performer tossed in five three-point baskets, including four in a row in the second half that put the nail in the coffin for visiting Oostburg. In addition to his shooting from deep, Krueger also took the ball to the basket, scoring on three drives as the Crusaders took control of the Big East South Conference outing midway through the first half. In the past three contests, Krueger has made 19 three-point shots, including nine in a triumph over Hustisford.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EMERGING PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2224503"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677cbac60c340"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hackbarth can handle the ball, weave around defenders who step up to slow his progress, and finish at the rim with his size, length and athleticism. He did that repeatedly against Oostburg as he scored seven field goals for 14 points in the Crusaders' convincing victory. Hackbarth also can defend different positions because of his mobility. He is perhaps the best player on a very good and very balanced Sheboygan Lutheran squad that improved to 9-0 with the win over Oostburg.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2382133"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677cbac60c3ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another versatile frontline player in coach Nick Verhagen's arsenal at Sheboygan Lutheran, Boyland's defensive ability to a bit ahead of his offensive skill at this point in his development. But he is quickly emerging as a scorer in the paint for the Crusaders. He had nine points in the win over Oostburg while also making it very difficult for Oostburg's interior players to score in the lane. Boyland's activity on the glass also is a huge asset for Sheboygan Lutheran. The sophomore has a very bright future as he continues to hone his ball skills and add strength to his athletic frame.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2562463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677cbac60c419"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McCoy and [player_tooltip player_id='2509476' first='Oliver' last='Leibham'] provied a spart off the bench for Sheboygan Lutheran with each player scoring nine points. Michael competed with poise and very impressive basketball instincts in front of a packed gym. He had a couple of three-point baskets while also using a reverse pivot to shed a bigger defender and score in the lane. Michael is a very good ball handler and passer in addition to his shooting skill. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1970502"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-677cbac60c487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dirkse is a physically strong and confident point guard who led Oostburg with 18 points despite being the focus of the Sheboygan Lutheran defense. Once Dirkse got past one defender, another would step up to impede his progress to the basket. Still, Dirkse was able to score through contact and now is just three points shy of 1,000 for his three-year varsity career. He can score from the outside with his jump shot, but he also can post-up in the lane and go to work on smaller defenders with his strength and finishing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COMMENTS FROM WINNING COACH</strong><br><br>From Sheboygan Lutheran coach Nick Verhagen ... "No. I never thought it would be a running-clock game. They are too good of a program and a team for that to happen. But we scouted hard for Cade (Dirkse) and JJ (Zavatchin) because they deserved it. <br><br>"[player_tooltip player_id='2549586' first='Andrew' last='Krueger'] is shooting a really high level for us. He had nine three-point baskets in our win over Hustisford, and five in our win over Living Word Lutheran. The other thing with him is he's also starting to take the ball to the basket. He's been attacking really well for us."<br><br><strong>THE BIG PICTURE</strong><br><br>Sheboygan Lutheran checks in at No. 1 in the Prep Hoops Wisconsin Power Rankings for Division 5 schools in the state for good reason. The Crusaders are good. Very good. Size, length, skill, versatility and depth are all assets for the Crusaders, who improved to 9-0 heading into Big East South Conference games with Ozaukee and Random Lake. After those two outings, Sheboygan Lutheran has three games against Division 4 powers in Kohler, Laconia and Roncalli.<br><br>Oostburg will have better days ahead. The Flying Dutchmen have two potential first-team all-league performers in juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1970502' first='Cade' last='Dirkse'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2117025' first='Jamison' last='Zavatchin'], and simply ran into a hot-shooting team playing on its home floor. Oostburg looks to bounce back with a pair of outings this weekend, taking on league-rival Sheboygan Christian on Friday before traveling to meet Division 2 Beaver Dam on Saturday afternoon.<strong><br><br>BOXSCORE<br><br>Oostburg (26-10 =36)</strong><br>Dirkse 18, Weavers 3, Z. Zavatchin 0, J. Zavatchin 6, Townsend 9, Swart 0, Mentink 0, Kneser 0. Three-point field goals: Townsend 3, Dirkse 1, Weavers 1. FT: 5-14. Fouled out: W. Zavatchin. Record: 6-3.<br><strong>Sheboygan Lutheran (44-32 = 76)</strong><br>Krueger 22, Boyland 9, Thomas 8, Leonhard 3, Hackbarth 14, O. Leibham 9, Michael 9, Klapperich 2, Schulze 0, L. Leibham 0. Three-point field goals: Krueger 5, Michael 2, O. Leibham 1, Leonhard 1. FT: 5-12. Fouled out: None. Record: 9-0.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->