Waubonsie Valley sweats out victory
It's a paradigm that seems unique to the game of basketball: the team that jumps to a huge early lead usually ends up sweating out the result, while the team that was blitzed gets back into the game because there's so much time to right early wrongs.
That scenario played out Friday night at Waubonsie Valley as the Warriors sprinted to a 15-0 lead and scored 21 points in the game's first five minutes, then had to hold on for dear life as visiting Streamwood crept within 1 point in the fourth quarter before succumbing 76-70 in an Upstate Eight Conference thriller.
"You bust your butt to get back in the game and it's there for the taking, but we just didn't capitalize on a few key possessions," said Streamwood coach Tim Jones. "We played with a lot of heart, a lot of passion and put a scare in them, but when you're trying to turn a program around, you've gotta start winning some."
The first five minutes were a masterpiece for the Warriors (3-4, 1-1). All five starters scored, led by Jonny Strauss' trio of 3-pointers, while they forced seven turnovers by the Sabres (2-6, 0-2) in the first quarter. After that, though, the Warriors managed just 27 points over the next 19 minutes, allowing Streamwood to climb back into the game and pull within 48-45 after three quarters.
"Defensive intensity," Warrior coach Steve Weemer pointed out as the main reason the Sabres got back into the contest. "When we learn to sustain our defensive intensity for a full game we'll be a good team. We had a natural letdown after getting the big lead and we let it affect us."
Streamwood's comeback was sparked by Tem Esikiel, who was limited to 2 first-half points but erupted for 22 in the second half as the Sabres scored 47 points over the final 16 minutes.
He got some help from Marcus Green, Marcus Lewis and Brian Bauer as the Sabres closed to 48-47 just 10 seconds into the fourth quarter on Brian Domokos' bucket and 65-63 with 2 minutes, 18 seconds to play on a green jumper, but each time the Warriors steadied the ship.
Both threats were answered by 6-0 runs that restored some breathing room with Roy McElroy, Strauss, Steve Strickland, Tyler Castro and Jelani Johnson taking turns scoring big baskets.
The Warriors were also aided by staunch 16-for-19 free-throw shooting over the final six minutes and were 29 for 38 for the game.
"Free throws have been kind of a nemesis for us, but they were a huge factor in this game," Weemer said. "We got the 'W' and that's all that matters; it'll help us build some confidence."