By Jennifer Eisenbart
Sports editor
Seldom do you get anything in sports when you want it too badly.
That – and a case of maybe trying to overthink the game plan – cost the Burlington High School boys basketball team March 8 in the sectional semifinals.
The Demons trailed 23-5 after the opening quarter against Mukwonago, and could never get the game down to a one-possession contest in a 68-56 loss.
BHS finished the season 17-8 overall. Mukwonago went on to lose in the sectional final to Madison Memorial, 57-52.
BHS head coach Steve Berezowitz said his team got off to a bad start – a problem that was compounded by the Indians hitting some shots early.
“They hit some early shots, we had quite a few empty possessions,” Berezowitz said.
But what might also have been a problem was a switch in the defense. The Demons fell to Mukwonago Jan. 3 53-45, and the coach wanted to change up the defense some in order to try and keep the Indians in check.
“We kind of changed some stuff we normally do,” Berezowitz said. “I thought this was probably the best way to defend them. I guess I blame myself. We changed our makeup a little bit.
“Maybe if we stay close, it changes a little bit,” he added. “But it’s easy to look back.”
The two teams managed just nine points apiece in the second quarter, and then 14 each in the third, leaving BHS trailing 46-28 heading into the final stanza.
But typical of the team’s senior-laden roster, BHS hung around and battled back.
“I’m really proud of our kids,” Berezowitz said. “They never quit.”
It was a two-possession game with two minutes left, and the Demons had the ball.
“That’s all we try to talk about,” Berezowitz said. “We came up with some empty possessions, and we were forced to foul.”
As a team, Mukwonago hit 13 of 24 free-throws, but enough down the stretch to push the lead back to 12 points.
“They’re a strong, physical team. We knew that,” Berezowitz said. “You combine that with the way they shot the ball, they’re a tough team to beat.”
Seniors Eric Gerber and Trent Taylor each finished with 14 points, while fellow senior Tim Peterson added nine and junior Carson Biedrzycki eight.
Taylor, Nick Reda and Gerber all finished with four rebounds, while Taylor had three assists and five steals. Peterson had four assists.
Gerber, Reda, Peterson and Taylor are all part of a seven-member senior class, which also includes Zach and Alex Oldenburg and Dexter Spieker.
The Demons won the Southern Lakes Conference title – with a 12-2 conference record – and picked up a pair of wins over former Southeast Conference rival Franklin.
“It was an outstanding season,” Berezowitz said. “Our goal is to be in the sectional hunt every year, and we did that.
“I’m just proud of our kids’ effort,” he added. “I love how we came together as a unit this year.
“We came a long way.”
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