Boys basketball team sees loss at home

The River Valley High School boys varsity basketball team hosted the Sauk Prairie Eagles last Tuesday night. The Eagles got off to a strong start leading 33-19 at the end of the first half. In the second half the Hawks were able to put up 33 points, but they could not catch the Eagles. Sauk Prairie won with a final score of 58-52.  Zach Gloudeman brough in 16 points for the Blackhawks and Preston Hying brought in 13.  “I thought we turned the ball over way too much to start the game,” said head coach Luke Thatcher. “All of the different forms of adversity the team had to face this week with different coaches and different lineups made things a little difficult. Once everyone settled in and started playing together I thought we moved the ball well, and obviously made a pretty good run at the end of the game. I’m very proud of how everyone fought.” Coach Thatcher and coach Steve Stettler were out for a portion of the recent season due to quarantine. “I would also like to acknowledge Kevin Billington, Brian Krey, Justin Stanek, and especially Darby Blakley for stepping up into different roles while Steve Stettler and myself were out,” said Thatcher. “Without their willingness to help out, we would have had to cancel more games than we did. If I take nothing else from this whole experience it’s how resilient the kids are, and how willing everyone has been to help make this bizarre season happen.” The record for River Valley after this game is 1-2 for the season and 1-1 in the conference. This week the boys hosted Dodgeville on Monday night. The team is off for Christmas break and is scheduled to see action again on Tuesday, January 5, against Lancaster.