Injuries no problem as Nicolet boys go 'West' to win first two tilts

Glendale - Fighting through numerous injuries, the Nicolet boys basketball team showed character in beating both West Bend West (57-53) and Wauwatosa West (73-52) in its season-opening games last week.

"We were so banged up that by the time of the West Bend game we had four of our top seven guys injured one way or the other," Knights coach Paul Hepp said. "It was just a good series of team efforts all the way around."

The Knights open their North Shore season with a serious challenge as they visit Homestead (3-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. They then turn around and head back to Homestead for a 2:45 p.m. Saturday tilt in the NY2LA Classic against West Allis Central.

"We're getting closer to having some of these guys back," Hepp said. "Still, we have a lot of things to be encouraged about. We have things to shore up to be sure, like sealing off our offensive glass. We're going to have to earn things there, because with our lack of overall size, everyone is going to have to contribute in that department."

In Saturday's win over Tosa West, the Knights blew the game open with a 25-9 second quarter that gave them a 36-21 advantage at the half.

Nicolet hit eight 3-pointers in the game, including three each by Greg Pigg (19 points) and Tyler Miller (13). Meanwhile, Treland Jenkins and Eugene Bonner contributed 10 points apiece.

"We also hit 17 of 19 free throws and did a great job of distributing the ball," Hepp said. "We had 18 assists overall with Tre (Jenkins) getting five of them."

The West Bend game was a great deal more work for the Knights as Nicolet had to rally back from a 30-25 halftime deficit, taking a 40-37 lead going into the final quarter.

It was still tied at 46 with 1:50 remaining. The Spartans picked up an untimely technical foul and Nicolet's Corey Smith drained both free throws for the lead. The Knights would never let go of the advantage as they hit nine of 10 free throws in the fourth period.

"We're trying to make more free throws than the other team attempts," Hepp said. Nicolet succeeded at that, as West was only 10 of 12 from the line.

Smith's free throws were part of a strong overall game by him, as he had 16 points, seven assists, three steals and five rebounds. Jenkins added a career high 15 points while Miller had 10.