Pettersen gets first win as EHS hoops coach

• Ellsworth vs. Boyceville

Defense non display during the Ellsworth-Boyceville boys basketball game Tuesday.

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The first win of the season and the first of new head coach Scott Pettersen was achieved by the Ellsworth High School boys’ basketball team Tuesday evening. The Panthers stopped Boyceville 57-46 in a non-conference contest to even their overall record at 1-1.

“It feels good for both the team and myself,” Pettersen said. “Once you get that first win out of the way it a lot easier to coach and play.”

The Panthers led at halftime 26-15 and maintained their solid lead throughout the second half. Boyceville came no closer than six points at 26—20 early in the third quarter before Ellsworth pushed the lead back over double digits again.

Ellsworth had solid outside shooting from guards Chris Niedfeldt and Jimmy Miska as they combined for 34 points (Niedfeldt 20 and Miska 14). Ellsworth hit 11 three-pointers and were helped by a cold 10-for-22 effort by the Bulldogs at the free-throw line.

“Chris and Jimmy worked very hard on their shooting over the summer and its paying off for them so far,” Pettersen said. “We have to make they can get their shots off of screens and picks by the whole team so they can have open looks because if they do, they’ll make most of them.”

Pettersen was also pleased with the way his frontcourt players, 6-7 Josh Fuchs and 6-5 Daigen Afdahl played defense and rebounded. Fuchs contributed six points while Riley O’Neil scored nine points for the home team.

“Our post play was improved from our first game,” Pettersen said.

Andy Veith led Boyceville in scoring with 15 points and teammate Kyle Franseen had 11 points. The Bulldogs drop to 0-2 overall.

Tags: youth sports, boys basketball, sports, ellsworth