Big finish lifts Wheeling past Buffalo Grove
With one Mid-Suburban East boys basketball game in the books, Wheeling has already equaled its divisional victory total from last year.
The host Wildcats scored 25 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 3-point deficit entering the period and top Buffalo Grove 55-50 on Friday.
Chris Pierro and Jeremy Stephani scored 16 points apiece for Wheeling (4-1, 1-0). Pierro made a pair of 3s and Stephani had 1.
Senior guard Andrew Apel led Buffalo Grove (2-3, 0-1) with 15 points and junior guard Conner Reid had 9.
The Wildcats' lone MSL East win last year also came against Buffalo Grove, but this season Wheeling isn't looking to play the role of spoiler.
“We have high expectations for ourselves,” said Wheeling coach Anthony Como. “There's definitely a better sense of confidence, and a little more urgency with what we're doing.
“Credit to BG, but I don't think any of our guys are satisfied with how they played. We know we need to improve.”
Como said Wheeling's press, which hadn't been used much this year, made a big difference in the fourth quarter.
“We were able to force the tempo a little bit, and were able to get a few turnovers,” Como said.