Matthews helps Libertyville solve Wheeling

Ellis Matthews' 16-point outburst in the second quarter in Libertyville's opening round 64-57 win against the host team in the Wheeling Wildcat Hardwood Classic boys basketball tournament Tuesday was just what the doctor ordered to help shake off a little holiday rust.

Libertyville (8-2) trailed 0-10 Wheeling 16-11 after one quarter, and coach Scott Bogumil said his team "just got away from what we were doing."

That's when Matthews entered that "zone" that scorers perpetually seek.

He scored on a putback cutting the deficit to 16-13, and, after Jeremy Stephani (12 points) split a pair of free throws, tied the game at 17 with a rare 4-point play after being fouled while making a long 3-pointer. Matthews scored 10 of Libertyville's next 13 points.

"He does a better job when we freelance," Bogumil said. "He has the knack for that. Ellis really carried us."

"I like to take advantage of my height and post up," Matthews said. "I got two or three like that in the first half."

"He's tough to stop," Wheeling coach John Clancy said. "He has a nice turnaround jumper and moves well without the ball."

Wheeling regained its composure and outscored Libertyville 7-2 to weather the storm and trail 32-29 at halftime.

Wheeling chased Libertyville the entire second half but never got closer than 2 points early in the third quarter. Matthews (27 points, 10 rebounds) scored 9 more in the third quarter and helped Griffin Pils (16 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists) and Anthony Mack (13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists) carry the load in the fourth quarter.

Libertyville was 11 of 12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, 25 of 27 for the game.

Wheeling continued to pressure Libertyville, thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Chris Pierro (14 points) and a 3 from Stephani. Wheeling closed to with 5 a couple of times down the stretch, but Pills, Mack and Matthews combined to make all 6 of their free throws in the final 48 seconds.

"I thought if we could limit Matthews and Pils, we would have a fighting chance," Clancy said. "In the second half, I thought we did better against them."

Charlie Kirk scored 12 and Brandon Yacu 11 for Wheeling.

"We showed growth tonight," Clancy said. "Our unsung hero was Yacu. Tonight was Brandon's best performance of the year.

"The kids executed the game plan, and we got the looks we wanted," Clancy said. "The kids showed trust in themselves and with one another.

"When they buy into believing and trusting, we can be a dangerous team."