In Weber's debut, Wheeling tops Maine South

Wheeling four-year girls basketball varsity members Deanna Kuzmanic, Hailey Dammeier and Hannah Dobrowski began their senior years the same as the last three - with a season-opening date with Maine South.

But there was a twist.

For the first time, they were celebrating a victory over the girls from Park Ridge.

Led by Kuzmanic's 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, the Wildcats wasted little time taking command before posting a 50-42 victory in the nonconference home win.

Kuzmanic and Dammeier each had a 3-pointer in the first 6:20 as the Wildcats stormed to a 14-0 advantage.

The Hawks finally got on the board against the Wildcats' man-to-man defense with 59 seconds left in the quarter. Junior Sophie Miller made a layup off an assist from classmate Julia Sirvinskas which made it 14-2.

The Hawks never got to within single digits until junior Sam Fagenholz hit a 3-pointer at the final buzzer.

"It's a good way to start the season," said Kuzmanic, an Alabama-Birmingham recruit who produced her usual stellar all-around performance.

"Deanna is a leader on the court," said Matt Weber, who won his first game as Wheeling's new varsity coach. "She is always communicating with her teammates offensively and defensively. She is a natural leader."

"She (Kuzmanic) hurt us," said Maine South coach Mark Smith, who guided the Hawks to the Class 4A final four in 2006 and 2011 and the Elite Eight in 2008. "Credit coach (Matt) Weber in his opener and Kuzmanic. She is the real deal. Sure, we scouted her well but we just didn't execute the way we had to."

Weber was pleased with his team's execution. The Wildcats seemed like they could do little wrong while taking a 16-2 lead after one quarter.

Sophomore Melissa Claver and junior Michaela Vasey also had buckets in the first quarter while senior center Lani Greenberg scored 4 of her 8 points in the second quarter. Greenberg also pulled down 8 rebounds and Dammeier 6.

"We wanted to set the tempo," Weber said. "We want to have team adjust to us.

"The girls did a great job of communicating on defense. Everyone was on the same agenda. Everyone knew where each other was. We boxed out and controlled the boards."

Claver's layup less than 20 seconds into the game came off an inbounds pass under the basket.

On South's next possession, Dammeier grabbed the rebound of a missed shot and the Wildcats were off and rolling. Claver ended up flipping a pass inside to Dammeier for another layup and 4-0 lead.

The lead ballooned to 10-0 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Dammeier and Kuzmanic.

"Offensively we waited for good shots," Weber said. "And when we could fastbreak we did. We were able to get baskets that way, too."

Kuzmanic ended up with 6 3-pointers, 3 in the third quarter. When she wasn't scoring, she was often setting up her teammates.

"Everyone on the floor is a threat to score," Kuzmanic said. "It's tough to guard everyone and we have faith in everyone. I think our experience really helps us now. Some of us having been playing together since fifth grade."

Dammeier also finished in double figures with 10 points as the Wildcats took a 28-13 lead into intermission.

"We knew this was going to be a good game," Dammeier said. "But we had faith we could come through. We just had to play with a lot of intensity and play as a team."

Fagenholz, a 5-foot-9 guard, led the Hawks with 13 points, all coming in the fourth quarter on 4 3-pointers and a free throw.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Smith said. "We'll be able to learn a lot from the game film. Obviously you can learn a lot when you get embarrassed like we did in the first half."