Beitzel keeps on delivering for Geneva

Geneva senior Brandon Beitzel has seen the Batavia-Geneva rivalry from both the football field and the basketball court.

Batavia senior Ricky Clopton has been involved in these basketball matchups for three years now.

Both took center stage in determining Friday night's outcome, a 61-55 Geneva victory.

Beitzel scored 8 points in the first quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. His early burst allowed his teammates, who combined for 2 in that quarter, to catch their breath and pick up their offense in the final three quarters.

"I just find the openings," Beitzel said of his fast start. "When team plays zones there is a bunch of openings."

The Bulldogs started in a zone and switched to a man and neither slowed Beitzel, who wound up with 20 points.

"We didn't do a good job finding him out of the zone," Batavia coach Jim Roberts said. "When we switched to man he got near the glass and converted."

Geneva coach Phil Ralston corrected one flaw in Beitzel's mechanics after Tuesday's game that helped Friday.

"We talked to him about finishing," Ralston said. "Against Yorkville, he started out really strong and towards the end he is putting his head down on his shot. I was watching the videotape and said, 'Brandon, you are missing easy shots because you are put your head down when you are shooting.'

"Tonight he did a great job of that and I think it's part of the reason he shot at a high percentage. We need to have him keep doing that."

Beitzel, Geneva's quarterback, said there are parts of the basketball rivalry he enjoys more than football.

"This game is always fun," Beitzel said. "There is not a seat open. From football it is not nearly as loud, the fans aren't as into the game. Basketball they are right next to you on the court, you see the reaction, you hear them. It's just unbelievable basketball and football."

On the other side, Clopton did everything in his power for Batavia with 23 points, but for the fourth time in four tries at Geneva (three on the varsity) Clopton walked off the court on the losing side.

"I just didn't want to lose," Clopton said of his big second half. "I looked it over before, I have never won here, never won at Geneva. All four years. It stinks, but I think we'll get them (the next time)."