New Berlin holds off Pawnee in Blake Lucas' return to Saltyville
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NEW BERLIN — Before the game, New Berlin junior Reid Hepperly, the last player introduced at the Pretzel Arena, went over and gave Pawnee coach Blake Lucas a handshake, then gave him a meaningful, sincere tap on the chest. In the first quarter, Hepperly put on a display for his former coach by using his big body to worm his way in the paint and give the Pretzels (11-4 overall) eight points in the opening quarter. He finished the game with 16 points and 10 rebounds to help New Berlin and first-year coach Neil Holderread beat Pawnee 42-39 in a nonconference game and spoil Lucas’ return to the school where he coached for nine seasons and had a 165-102 record, plus two regional titles. “As a...