Parkway earns second win of season

ROCKFORD - It was a long wait, but Parkway's boys basketball team won for the first time in 2012.

It was a physical affair and Parkway emerged a 52-51 victory over New Bremen for the Panthers' second win of the season and the first since Dec. 29.

"We have been working on this," said Parkway's coach Will Snyder. "We came close last week. (But) we had better composure tonight. We've been close a lot - close all year."

Parkway's Derek Luth netted a game-high 22 points, none bigger than the two points that he scored with 26.4 seconds to play in the game to put the Panthers on top 52-51.

New Bremen's Luke Schwieterman had a chance to put the Cardinals back on top with 7.5 seconds to play in the game but missed two free throws. Luth also had a chance to extend Parkway's lead with 4.8 seconds remaining in the game but also missed two from the charity stripe.

The Cardinals' Derek Bornhorst had a shot to win the game from just inside of midcourt but his game-winning attempt fell short.

"They were tougher than we were," said a disappointed New Bremen coach Adam Dougherty. "They competed harder, wanted it more than us and we took it. It happened that way all night. I'm embarrassed by how physical they were compared to us.

"We were really bad defensively. The free-throw line shouldn't matter, but we aren't tough enough to step up and knock down free throws. The great part is, it's not over. But it's getting close. I still believe in us. We can still make a run (in tournament play), but time's running out. "

Snyder liked the play of the Panthers' defense.

"We've been working on putting in a zone (defense) since January and tonight was the first night I've felt it worked," said Snyder. "The growth the seniors have had (this season) is great. Plus, the sophomores did wonderful."

Parkway led for most of the first quarter behind the play of Luth, but New Bremen's Carson Manger and Schwieterman hit three-pointers to help give the Cardinals an 18-14 lead going into the second quarter.

The Cardinals' maintained the four-point lead for most of the second quarter, but Parkway's Austin Dennison scored four late points to pull the Panther to within two points (29-27) at halftime.

The game stayed tight in the third period and Parkway's Riley Bransteter knocked down a jump shot at the 2:06 mark to give the Panthers their first lead since the first quarter at 36-35. The teams traded points and for the remainder of the quarter and Parkway headed into the final eight minutes of play with a 40-38 lead.

The Panthers maintained the lead until New Bremen's Troy Williams stole the ball and then converted on a three-point play to give the Cardinals a 49-47 lead with 2:30 to play in the game.

A pair of free throws by the Panthers' Caleb Rodriguez tied the score at 50-all. Schwieterman made one-of-two from the free-throw line to give the Cardinals a 51-50 before the Panthers' Luth scored what proved to be the game-winner with 26.4 seconds on the clock.

Williams paced New Bremen with 12 points.