Whitehall boys struggle offensively in two losses

The Whitehall boys basketball team had a tough time getting shots to fall in two losses to Eau Claire area private schools last week.

The Norse entered the week averaging about 73 points per game, but managed a season-low 46 against Chippewa Falls McDonell Central at home on Monday. The very next day, the Norse hit the road and managed just 17 points in the first half of a 66-54 loss to Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran.

The losses put Whitehall’s record at 8-4 before a nonconference home game against Arcadia on Monday. At 5-1, the Norse have a two-game lead in the loss column over second-place Melrose-Mindoro in the Dairyland Conference Large Division. 

Whitehall hosts Alma/Pepin on Thursday and are slated to play at Alma Center Lincoln on Saturday — a game that was supposed to be played last Friday, but was rescheduled due to a snowstorm. This coming Tuesday, Whitehall will host Cochrane-Fountain City.

CFMC 65 Whitehall 46

While the Norse struggled to get shots to fall, the Macks shot 47 percent from the field.

Chippewa Falls had two players in double figures, led by Cael Holm’s 19 and Jordan Sikora’s 10, but it was a balanced attack as 10 different players scored. 

Brayden Lisowski had 15 points to lead Whitehall while Grant Olson finished with nine; Caydan Johnston, seven; Seth Lambeck, six; William Youngbauer, three and Mason Pientok two.

ECIL 66 Whitehall 54

The Norse got going in the second half, but it wasn’t enough.

Offensive struggles carried over as Whitehall managed just 17 points in the first half and trailed by eight at halftime. The Norse put up 37 in the second half, but the Lancers were able to pull away and win by 12.

Five different Lancers scored in double figures, led by Vance Havemeier’s 17 points. Statistics for Whitehall were not reported before press time.