Westminster Christian 55, Deerfield Chicagoland Jewish 25

Westminster Christian boys basketball coach Bruce Firchau's message was simple.

"If you're a senior at the state tournament, you don't get complacent or you're packing your bags," Firchau said. "I won't sleep well tonight."

Firchau's words come after No. 1 seeded Westminster Christian took a 55-25 win over Deerfield Chicagoland Jewish Wednesday to advance to Friday night's championship in its own Class 1A regional. The Warriors will play the winner of today's game between third-seeded Mooseheart and No. 5 North Shore Country Day.

Firchau knows that the Warriors' overall effort will need to increase if they want to claim the school's first regional boys basketball title.

"Tonight's effort and execution will not win it on Friday night," Firchau said. "We have one practice left. Our seniors are going to have to step up to the plate."

The Warriors (19-8) made 9 of their first 11 shots to take an 18-4 lead in the first quarter. All of the baskets were layups, with 10 points coming off of fastbreak turnovers. Senior center Joel Benson finished the first quarter with 6 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.

"We got out to that fast lead and we relaxed a little too much," said Benson, who finished with 13 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds. "We got up so quick we let down our intensity. We have to re-focus tomorrow in practice."

The Tigers had trouble finding any sort of offensive focus all night. Chicagoland Jewish shot 23 percent (10 of 43) from the floor in the game. The Tigers also failed to convert a field goal until there was 39 seconds left in the second quarter, missing their first 7 shots.

During that time, Westminster Christian went on a 13-0 run led by 4 points from Ryan Beachler (12 points, 4 assists). The Warriors finished the game going 62 percent (23 of 37) from the floor. Westminster was 70 percent (22 of 32) entering the fourth quarter, after going 7 of 9 from the floor in the third period.

Senior Cory Hodge led all scorers finishing with 15 points and was 6 of 7 from the floor.

"Ryan Beachler played well and so did Cory Hodge," Firchau said.

Westminster won the rebounding battle 27-14, but the teams each finished with 7 offensive boards. Also, the Warriors scored just 6 points in the final period and did not make a basket in the game's final minute.

The Tigers got 8 points from Victor Abecassis in the loss.