Szafarowicz steals the show
After a 28-4 season and returning almost all its key players, Wheeling's girls basketball team and its fans are expecting a big season.
The Wildcats sure enjoyed a big second half in their season opener Tuesday night against visiting Maine South.
After trailing 19-17 at the half and by as many as 6 points in the second quarter, the Wildcats came out roaring in the final 16 minutes and scored a decisive 57-30 triumph in a nonconference warmup for the Niles North tourney, which begins Friday night.
Wildcats junior guard Bianca Szafarowicz, who caused plenty of distraction to the Hawks' offense with 3 steals early in the second half, finished with a game-high 17 points, 5 steals, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
Teammate Ashley Wilson added 16 points, 13 rebounds and 2 steals for the defending Mid-Suburban League champions.
"Bianca always plays good defense," said Wheeling coach Shelly Wiegel. "She's not afraid to land on the floor and go after the ball."
A patient Maine South club went ahead 19-13 on Jackie Rieger's 3-pointer with 4:53 left in the first half, but the Wildcats held the Hawks scoreless for then next 11 minutes while building a 32-19 lead on Bridgette Gray's 3-pointer within 2:40 left in the third quarter.
Wheeling scored the first 15 points of the half before Kim Kohlndorfer hit a pair of free throws with 1:53.
Junior Stephanie Kuzmanic added 9 points and 5 rebounds for the hosts, while classmate Janelle Cannon collected 7 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.
"We were a little nervous at the start but I knew we could come out of it," Kuzmanic said.
"We played with a lot more energy in the second half."
That's exactly what Wiegel talked about at the intermission.
"We were just playing tight," she said. "I told them when they're playing their best, they are having fun and moving the ball with a lot of passes. I could tell from their body language they needed to show energy and enthusiasm. I told them once we got those first 16 minutes out of the way, we should ready to play."
The Wildcats sure were as they outscored Maine South 38-13 in the final two quarters.
"We came out with more energy and we played real well in the second half," Wilson said.
Maine South was led by Kohlndorfer's 8 points and 7 from Rieger.
"Wheeling was very aggressive and is obviously a very talented team," said Hawks coach Mark Smith. "We executed our game plan very well in the first half. Then we got tired legs in the second half, and often when that happens you get tired minds. We started to lose focus of our game plan, which I thought was a good one.
"Hats off to Wheeling. I thought the first half was as well as we could play on the road. Obviously, Wheeling is going to be a very good team."