Campbellsport gets first win of the season

Owen Bong hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the first half during a Campbellsport scoring run.

Bong made three triples, and the Cougars made seven as a team in the first half to spur them on to a 68-38 nonconference win at home on Monday night.

"I thought we brought the intensity right away, getting up on them, pressuring the ball," Bong said. "It's a lot easier to make shots when the intensity is up and we're all feeling it.

"All season we've been struggling, but to finally see the ball go through the hole was really nice."

Campbellsport (1-4) outscored Ripon 29-10 in the final 11:30 of the first half to take control. Bong was one of four Cougars to make at least one 3.

The Cougars' run came after they struggled early, for they scored just 3 points and committed six fouls in the first five minutes.

Coach Ethan Elliott said he thinks it was the defensive intensity and the pace that his team played with that helped get the players into a groove offensively.

"I think our energy to start the game fueled us," Elliott said. "We've been starting really slow the last couple games, and tonight we tried to change the pace early and I think that just got guys more focused and then they found some rhythm to hit shots."

The defensive pressure increased in the second half. Campbellsport forced the Tigers into more live-ball turnovers, which led to transition baskets.

Elliott said team energy has been a focal point recently.

"[Tonight] was great," Elliott said. "That's a big thing with the identity we want to carry into games. We're going to be gritty.

"We don't have a lot of size, we don't always make shots, but if we can put that effort where kids are diving on the floor like Trent Schladweiler and Luke Pendowski, those guys spark everybody and make everybody else want to defend."

Junior Noah Bobb was Campbellsport's scoring leader once again, for he finished with 17. Bobb was effective on the offensive glass, earning second-chance points.

Bobb also got forced Ripon (0-5) into numerous fouls. He went 8-for-14 from the free-throw line.

"Rebounds really get me going because you can either kick out and completely reset the offense or you can just tip it back up, which leads to a lot of second-chance points for me," Bobb said. "It gets the team going, so we all get hyped up and play better."

Elliott said he hopes his team can carry its newfound momentum back into Flyway play.

"Remember what is feels like to play with intensity and throw the first punch," Elliott said. "Our biggest issue is we've been getting punched and then we're taking too long to throw it back."

PHOTO GALLERY: Ripon at Campbellsport boys basketball - 12/16/2024