A benchmark win for Wauconda
Bryan Nee's clutch free throws secured more than just one of Wauconda's best victories of the basketball season.
The foul shots did more than just spoil Lakes' anticipated showdown next week with Vernon Hills, too.
By beating the host Eagles 56-52 in a North Suburban Prairie Division matchup between two hot teams Friday night, Wauconda clinched its first winning season in nine years. The Bulldogs went 18-9 under coach Rich Wolf in the 2005-06 season.
"I'm excited for the kids," Wauconda coach Scott Luetschwager said. "They've played hard, and they've put the time in. It's good for them. It's good for the program."
The win also marked Luetschwager's first over the Eagles in his six seasons.
"This is a tough place to play," Luetschwager said. "And (Lakes) is tough."
Lakes, which had won a season-best five games in a row and nine of its last 10, fell to 14-11 and 8-2 in the division. The Eagles visit NSC Prairie-leader Vernon Hills on Wednesday night. A win by Vernon Hills will clinch the division title outright.
"(Wauconda) has been playing well too," Lakes coach Chris Snyder said. "They played great tonight. They deserved that one."
Despite trailing most of the game, Lakes looked like it might pull it out after Benett Haviland's second 3-pointer of the quarter put the Eagles in front 52-51 with 1:35 left in the fourth. But sharpshooting Zac Lahrman, who sat out most of the first half with a pair of fouls, drained a 3 of his own with 58 seconds left to give the lead back to the Bulldogs.
Finally, Nee was fouled with 11.4 seconds on the clock and Wauconda leading 54-52. The 5-foot-8 junior point guard calmly swished both free throws.
"That's my favorite part of the game. I like to clinch it," Nee said. "It's the first time I've ever been in that position on the varsity level. It felt good."
With its fifth win in six games, Wauconda improved to 14-10 and 7-4 in the NSC Prairie. The Bulldogs have two games remaining in the regular season.
"It starts in practice," said Nee, who finished with 11 points (two 3-pointers), 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. "We've been practicing a lot better and with a lot more energy. We're just coming together as a team and getting ready for regionals."
Wauconda jumped out to a 16-7 lead after one quarter, but the Bulldogs sent Lakes to the free-throw line 12 times in the second and paid the price. Jake Balliu, who sank 4 of 4 free throws in the quarter, drove and scored with two seconds left before halftime to put the Eagles in front 35-34.
Wauconda regained the momentum after halftime, however. The Bulldogs held the home team to just 6 points in the third, limiting the Eagles to 2-of-11 shooting from the floor. Nee's free throw broke a 41-41 tie, and he then drained a 3. Lahrman's layup - his first basket of the night - had the Bulldogs up 47-41 entering the fourth.
Down 51-44, Lakes stormed back on the strength of Balliu's 2 free throws and Haviland's pair of 3-pointers, only to fall short at the end.
Ricky Sidlowski led Wauconda with game bests of 13 points and 8 rebounds. Ben Carlson added 9 points, 5 boards and 2 blocked shots. Matt Bulgarelli had 8 points, as did Parker Fink, who came off the bench to sink two 3s and a pair of free throws in the second quarter.
Before their hot streak, the Bulldogs had lost four in a row.
"The kids are playing fantastic," Luetschwager said. "We talked to them when we went through that rough streak and said, 'Just focus on yourself and get better. It's not what anybody else is doing to us. It's about what we're doing. When we turn that corner, we'll be fine.' The kids turned the corner."
Balliu paced Lakes with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Ethan Sage and Haviland each had 11 points, while Dave Milostan had 10 (two 3-pointers). Eagles starting center Dalton Solbrig missed the game due to a club volleyball commitment.
"We just got to turn the page," said Snyder, whose Eagles need to beat Vernon Hills and Antioch to have a shot at tying for first place. "There's still a lot out there. One game doesn't make a season."