By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports Editor
The Waterford Union High School boys basketball team found itself on a bit of a rollercoaster ride at its home holiday tournament last week.
The Wolverines won their opener 53-50 against University School of Milwaukee Dec. 27, then dropped a difficult 46-37 loss to Menomonee Falls Dec. 28.
“We had an idea, if we could split, we’d be OK with it,” said Waterford coach Mickey Mala. “That said, we were kind of left with a sour taste after the loss to Menomonee Falls.
“We did not put our best foot forward against Menomonee Falls.”
In the game against USM, Waterford got a huge effort out of senior Chris Benavides, who put up 22 points in the victory. He scored 16 in the final two quarters to help Waterford pull out the win.
The Wolverines had a 10-point lead with about two minutes left but couldn’t hit a free throw in the final minutes.
“We just need to stay a little more consistent,” Mala said.
No one else scored in double digits for the Wolverines.
The next night against Menomonee Falls, Waterford struggled in the third quarter, allowing the Indians to score eight points before finally getting on the scoreboard in the second half.
Waterford was outscored 25-15 in the second half by Menomonee Falls.
The Wolverines got a huge game out of Justin Steffens, who was hot from beyond the arc in the game. He hit four 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 13 points.
Benavides, who was heavily guarded most of the night, hit just one shot from the field, but was eight-for-eight from the free-throw line for 10 points.
“As much as we’re struggling offensively, we’re in games (because of our defense),” said Mala. “Our defense has been outstanding.”
Devon Nauer led Menomonee Falls and all scorers with 18 points.
Waterford played without a pair of seniors in the tournament – Tanner Hunsucker and Brandon Schindler. Hunsucker, who spent most of last year on the sidelines injured, has a broken toe.
Mala said he’s hoping to have Hunsucker back by this weekend, but “that’s up to the healing process and the doctors.”
“We’re plugging away,” Mala said. “It would just be nice to see what we can do with a full-blown unit, and hopefully we’ll get there.”
Waterford is currently 5-5 overall, and 2-2 in the Southern Lakes Conference.
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