Whip-Purs, Rockets battle down to wire
We can thank Mother Nature for a compelling finish to the Big Northern-East boys basketball title race.
Co-favorites Hampshire and Richmond-Burton were originally scheduled to play the first of two conference matchups Jan. 16, but an arctic cold front forced a postponement until Monday, Feb. 23 - the last game of the regular season for the Whip-Purs.
Hampshire (15-7, 7-0) and the Rockets (13-8, 5-0) will square off twice in 10 days to decide the championship. The rivals meet for the first time in Richmond on Friday night at 7 p.m.
The Hampshire athletic program is seeking a rare double: a conference sweep in boys basketball on the heels of an unbeaten league football title.
"My goal was to go undefeated in football, basketball and baseball in conference in my senior year," three-sport athlete James Goebbert said. "It's going pretty good so far."
Hampshire saw its 10-game winning streak snapped Tuesday in a 54-47 Big Northern crossover loss to Byron, the only hiccup it has suffered since a 16-point loss to visiting Winnebago on Jan. 3.
The players and their seventh-year coach, Bob Barnett, agree the loss marked a turning point. It was the Whips' second straight defeat, and it dropped their overall record to 5-6 at the time. Despite having a veteran team that returned most of its starting lineup and reserves from the previous season, Hampshire was spinning in mud.
Barnett, in his 22nd year of coaching, realized a change was necessary. That change, he said before practice on Monday, began with him.
"There was an adjustment period," said Barnett, 48. "After that Winnebago game we had a sit-down - actually, it was a stand-up - chat. My assistant coaches talked to (the players) and cleared the air.
"We changed some things a bit. I've changed some approaches with this team that I normally take. I've kind of toned it down a little bit - my presentation, let's put it that way. I had to speak with a softer voice. They were losing the words in the volume. So, I've done that. Now they're retaining what we're trying to teach and putting it to use. It was a win-win.
"I'm not too old to change. I'm not too old to learn."
The Whip-Purs responded to the milder approach from Barnett, whose inner fire remains undeniably stoked, even when shielding his players from the flame.
Better communication, solid defense and low turnovers have helped Hampshire move into position to challenge for the BN-E title.
However, this team's hallmark is its offensive balance. None of the five versatile starters dominates the scoring column in a motion offense. When possible, the Whips like to spread the floor five-out and look for the backdoor pass.
Junior guard Justin Bieber is averaging 11.1 points per game and has connected on 42 of 101 three-point attempts. Senior guard/forward Will Bush (9.1 ppg.) likes to push the tempo and drive to the basket.
He leads the Whip-Purs in rebounds (5.4 avg.).
Senior Mike Kozenczak (9.1 ppg.) can play inside or outside. Junior Shyler Ralphs, a transfer from Jacobs, is second on the team in free-throw attempts (57) and averages 4 rebounds a game. Goebbert (10.4) is a 6-foot-2 forward who has used his length to grab 83 rebounds, second on the team.
"We try to mix it up," Bush said. "We don't really have much height, but we have quick, fast guards. Everyone can handle the ball and push it and beat people down the court."
Freshman 6-foot-6 center Tyler Watzlawick (5.6 ppg., 3.3 rpg.), comes off the bench along with senior Danny Pace and juniors Ryan Burke and center Ryan DeChant.
Scheming to counter such a balanced attack is a difficult task for opposing coaches.
"They're hard to prepare for and, as usual, they're very well-coached," said Burlington Central coach Chris Payne, whose team lost twice to Hampshire in January by an average of 14.5 points. "They've proven that they can play any style. I think that's because they are so balanced. They have different guys who can step up each night."
Win or lose at Richmond-Burton on Friday, the Whips' title hopes likely won't be decided until the final game of the season on Feb. 23, when they host Game 2 against the Rockets unless Mother Nature again intervenes.
"I like the setup," Goebbert said.
"It's going to come right down to the last game. "It's good to save the biggest game for the end."
jfitzpatrick@dailyherald.com