Whitehall boys outlast O-F for nonconference win
Whitehall’s Seth Lambeck released a shot in the lane during their game against Osseo-Fairchild last Tuesday. (Times photograph by Andrew Dannehy)
It took a few minutes for Whitehall’s offense to get going, but they took a lead in the first half and held off Osseo-Fairchild for the win.
Whitehall went nearly four minutes without scoring to begin the game, but still managed 27 points in the first half as they beat O-F, 62-55.
The win kept the Norse (4-0) undefeated on the season before another nonconference game this Wednesday at Ladysmith.
Whitehall 62 O-F 55
Brayden Lisowski gave the Norse an early spark – and lead – and the team held off the Thunder late.
Whitehall had several open looks in the first few minutes of the game, but couldn’t get shots to fall. Lisowski gave the Norse the lead with a three pointer that put them ahead 5-4 then later added a steal and a layup that made it a two-score game.
The teams kept battling throughout the rest of the game. Grant Olson broke a 10-10 tie with a three pointer and Seth Lambeck added another later in the half as the Norse took a 27-24 lead into halftime.
The game remained close for much of the second half.
Lisowski made a three pointer early in the half to double what was a three-point lead. Whitehall’s defense came up with a couple of blocked shots that helped keep the team ahead later in the game.
The Norse got a big boost from senior Devon McCune, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half. McCune gave Whitehall some breathing room in the closing minutes as he drilled a three pointer from the corner that put the team ahead 52-44. McCune scored two more baskets down the stretch to clinch the win for the Norse.
McCune and Lisowski both scored 14 points for the Norse as they had a balanced attack. Colton Pank added 12 points, Preston Schroeder chipped in with 10, Lambeck scored five and both Luke Beighley and Olson finished with three.
Prior to the game, McCune was honored for surpassing 1,000 career points. The senior is the sixth Whitehall boys basketball player to reach the milestone. He began this week with 1,025 career points, the school’s all-time leading scorer is Ralph Rasmuson, who scored 1,418 in his career before going to play for Oklahoma State University.
