Maine West gets past Wheeling

Maine West climbed above the .500 mark by topping visiting Wheeling 72-64 in nonconference play Wednesday.

The Warriors led by as many as 9 points before Wheeling rallied to take the lead by a point with 1:47 left.

But a pair of free throws from Anthony Dones and a 3-pointer from Matt Acevedo helped the Warriors regain control down the stretch.

Acevedo finished with a team-high 21 points and had three 3’s for a Maine West lineup that’s showing great balance. Jamal Sherman and Joel Ferraren had 15 points and Dones finished with 12 for the Warriors (9-8).

“We’re playing better as a team,” said Maine West coach John Bongiorno, whose team has a key Central Suburban North test at Highland Park on Friday. “I think that’s the first time in maybe the last five games that Sherman hasn’t scored in the 20’s, but now everyone’s stepping up.”

Wheeling senior Jeremy Stephani led all scorers with 26 points, and Chris Pierro had 9 for the Wildcats (8-12).

The game featured recognition for former Maine West head coach Jim Sullivan. Now assisting at Hoffman Estates, Sullivan has earned a spot in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Buffalo Grove 51, Maine East 46: Andrew Apel (14 points) and Scott Smithern (11) led the way as the host Bison (7-12) picked up a nonconference victory.