Deerfield gets it done down the stretch against Wheeling

Wheeling's boys basketball team came close in the opening round of its 38th annual Hardwood Classic but fell just short to highly regarded Deerfield 55-50 Monday night.

"The difference in tonight's game is that Deerfield knows how to win close games, and we're still learning," said Wheeling coach Mike O'Keeffe.

Wheeling's Dylan Draka had just scored from underneath the basket with 2:57 left in the game to tie the score at 47.

The Wildcats rebounded a missed shot but then committed a key turnover in the frontcourt moments later.

Junior Ben Bizar made the two plays of the night that turned the game in favor of the Warriors (9-1).

With 2:16 left in the game Bizar (5 points) was in position for a putback basket to give Deerfield a 49-47 lead. On the Warriors' next possession, Bizar assisted Jordan Baum (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) with a bounce pass and basket for a 51-47 lead with 1:35 remaining.

Wheeling missed three shots on their next possession.

Then Deerfield's Jordan Sherman hit 2 free throws with 12 seconds left to extend the lead to 53-47.

"Bizar has a nose for the ball when we need a play," said Deerfield coach Dan McKendrick. "His bounce pass to Baum was just a terrific play."

Bizar, normally a starter, came off the bench after missing a game with a knee injury and was ready when McKendrick called his number.

"When I came in to play, I knew that I had to make hustle plays and rebound," said Bizar. "Wheeling really fought us tough. We had to make the plays down the stretch and then make our free throws (the Warriors were 8-for-10 in the fourth quarter)."

Deerfield's largest lead was 22-16 at the end of the first quarter.

The Wildcats (3-8) clawed their way back to tie the game at 28 following a bucket from Nicholas Janulis (10 points, 3 assists) with 1:13 left in the first half.

Deerfield led 32-20 at the break.

Jalen Dennis (12 points) gave the Wildcats their first lead at 34-32 in the third quarter. His 3 with 3:44 left in the quarter made it 38-34, but Wheeling was blanked the rest of the quarter while the Warriors went on a 5-0 run finish the quarter and regain the lead at 39-38.

Ryan Caufield hit back-to-back baskets to give Wheeling its last lead a 45-42 with 3:57 left.

"I though our offense was awesome in the first half," said O'Keeffe. "At halftime Deerfield adjusted their offense, but our players adjusted to their defense. What hurt us in the stretch is the turnovers which they scored, and then our missed shots. I think we learned a lot, and the good thing is that we come back tomorrow and play again. Right now we just need to learn to be a little more patient."

Patrick Szpir scored 10 points for Wheeling and had 7 rebounds. Draka had 8 points.

"Wheeling played well," said McKendrick. "Their guards shot well. They played good defense and we played poorly. But we found a way to win and we executed when we had to."

Deerfield advances to a winner's bracket game against Naperville Central at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, while Wheeling will meet Maine West in consolation play at 2 p.m.