Grove, Waterford, Wilmot must take notice
It’s only one game. And there’s still almost two months of season left. I know.
One win does not a season make. But this one was just a bit different than a regular game.
The Burlington High School boys basketball team, better known as the Demons, showed a high level of skill, hustle and teamwork in Friday night’s 75-71 home victory over Wilmot, which was in first place in the Southern Lakes Conference standings before the game.
A packed house saw a beautiful tribute to the late Mark Taylor, a Demon basketball father who passed away in December due to cancer.
The fans and students showed up for the Taylor family with more than $4,000 raised.
Maybe it was the atmosphere of the doubleheader (the Demon girls played first). Maybe it was the love and presence of the Taylors that made it so magical.
For whatever reason, the Demons played their best basketball of the season and proved they aren’t ready to relinquish the conference crown just yet.
The Demons are three-time defending conference champs, but after losing all five starters to graduation, things didn’t look great back in November.
Burlington stumbled to an 0-4 start, including an uncharacteristic loss at home against Westosha Central and an ugly road defeat against Jefferson.
But on Dec. 6, things started to slowly change. Granted, it was a loss at Union Grove. But the one-point defeat, in which Burlington had a chance to win at the buzzer, made the proverbial light bulb go on above the team’s head.
Players had to be thinking, “Maybe, just maybe, we are good enough to turn this thing around.”
The Broncos were undefeated in the SLC at the time, and they have been the conference favorites all season, but the Demons played in that fourth quarter like it was still their conference title to lose.
Things got better. Much better. Burlington picked up solid SLC victories over Elkhorn and on the road at Lake Geneva Badger. Also, despite losing, the Demons hung with Waukesha West, a ranked team in Division 1.
While a 20-point holiday tournament loss to Racine St. Catherine’s (D4’s No. 3 team) is the only hiccup, Burlington is 7-2 in its last eight contests, and at 5-2 is right back in the SLC title hunt.
Burlington pulled off a thrilling overtime victory in Paddock Lake Tuesday night, exacting some revenge from an earlier loss to Westosha Central. Add that to nail-biting wins at Verona Saturday and Friday against Wilmot, and the Demons consistently stay cool under pressure.
Through Tuesday, the Demons sit a mere half-game behind conference-leading Union Grove with around 10 games to play. The Broncos must still play in Burlington, but the Demons have to play Waterford twice and travel to Wilmot.
One thing’s for sure, though, regardless of opponents – these guys keep getting better.
Coach Steve Berezowitz stresses it day in and day out in practice. He wants his guys to improve every single day, and his players are buying into this conviction.
It’s the same conviction that allowed the Demons to cruise through the SLC season three straight years even if players had little to no varsity experience.
Burlington truly is a team. Despite obvious stars like Ben Geiger (17.3 points per game) and Frankie Hozeska (11 points, 10 rebounds), each player plays his role well, and there is cohesiveness that is unmatched.
Sure, Wilmot has a kid that can go off for 45 points in a game (Brandon Schattner scored 45 Friday night), and yes, the Broncos are loaded with experience and plenty of talent, but the Demons continually prove they’re right there with anyone.
Waterford is another solid team and a legitimate threat to the Demons, but even with three starters who had virtually zero varsity experience last season, Burlington finds a way to make it happen.
Badger is a bit down this year, and Elkhorn is improving. Delavan-Darien has yet to win a conference game.
So, with a tough schedule the rest of the way, look out for the Demons. You will witness Geiger lighting it up from three land, Hozeska soaring over a taller player at the rim, Luke Dahl and Nate Klug harassing opposing guards and James Tully and Nathaniel Sibley patrolling the paint.
Unsung heroes like Aaron Mutter and Eric Johnson will provide energy off the bench, and Mitch Klug and Brad Burling will give quality minutes in the backcourt.
With one of the best coaches in the area in Berezowitz, this team can go far this postseason, especially since it’s the Demons’ first crack at Division 2 after playing in the D1 playoffs forever.
Burlington must beat Union Grove, at least split with Waterford and possibly upset Wilmot in Wilmot, but anything is possible for this bunch.
Whether they win the SLC crown for a fourth straight year or not, expect the Demons to be heard loud and clear in March.
-
-
-
-
-