Demons move into sole possession of 2nd in SLC
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
On Jan. 23, the Burlington boys basketball team suffered a stinker and was upset by rival Waterford, a game which potentially knocked the Demons out of the race for the conference championship.
Burlington coach Steve Berezowitz admitted he lost some sleep over that game.
Fast forward nearly a month to Friday night, and Burlington got its chance at revenge against Gang Green. This time, it was in Burlington and televised locally on Time Warner Cable, but the Demons were hobbled with injuries to two starters and two key reserves.
Burlington’s depth was on full display as reserve guards Eric Johnson and Cal Tully combined for 16 points, and a big second half led to a 53-43 Demons victory.
Burlington improved to 16-5 overall and 10-3 in the Southern Lakes Conference, one game behind 11-2 Lake Geneva Badger with one conference game to play. After holding a 35-30 halftime lead over Wilmot Friday night, Badger exploded in the second half for an 83-49 win to maintain a one-game lead in the SLC.
Waterford dropped to 13-8 overall and 9-4 in conference.
Balance was the difference, as eight Demons scored, led by Nathaniel Sibley’s 12 points, while only four Wolverines contributed offensively.
“I usually don’t lose sleep over losses, but I did a little after our loss to Waterford,” Berezowitz said. “Tonight we shot well, and we opened up their defense. They’re hard to play against because they’re scrappy and they set a lot of screens. We had to dig a little bit deeper in the second half.”
“We’re really proud of our kids. The whole week, we had good preparation, and we stuck to it no matter who we had out there.”
After holding a four-point halftime lead, defensive adjustments and running and gunning in transition sparked a 15-8 third quarter that put the game away.
Waterford’s Trace Hunsucker led all scorers with 15 points and kept the Wolverines close in the fourth quarter, but Burlington was too explosive in the second half. The Demons knocked down seven 3-pointers after connecting on a mere 1-of-18 in the teams’ first meeting.
Demons playing short-handed
Injuries have been a huge obstacle for the Demons lately. Starting point guard Nick Klug played through a sprained ankle. Starting guard Brad Burling had to leave Friday’s game early with an injured ankle, which turned out to be a sprain.
Guard Ty Wiemer has missed nearly two weeks with a virus, and guard Erik Viel is also out.
Despite all the trials, the Demons have their first 16-win season since 2013.
Berezowitz said a key 6-0 run in the middle of the game was a nice springboard to the second half. Johnson knocked down a triple to end the half, and Tully came out with a 3-pointer to open the second half. Another triple by Johnson in the third quarter extended the Burlington lead to 13.
“We picked up our defense and played better in transition in the second half,” said Sibley. “No matter what, we are going to out-work our opponents.”
Burlington senior Mitch Klug, who did a good job getting the ball to open shooters, said the team was pumped to play on TV.
“It feel greats to win,” he said. “It’s always a good game. Cal and Eric stepped up big tonight. Personally, I tried to be a defensive stopper and tried to find Cal, Nick and Bud for open shots. We came out with energy in the second half, and we executed.”
“It’s good to finish the season on a high note. It’s a big improvement from last year.”
Frankie Hozeska added 10 points for the Demons. Drew Blair scored 13 points for the Wolverines, and Chris Saltzmann added 10.
Burlington has now won four straight games since losing at Badger. The Demons close out the regular season Thursday at home against Westosha Central.
WIAA boys basketball brackets will be released this weekend.
Berezowitz isn’t thinking that far in advance.
“We didn’t take care of business early in the season, but we’re doing a great job now,” he said. “Our focus is Westosha, and that’s all we have control over. We’ve somehow gotten 16 wins trying to work through a whole bunch of stuff. That’s a testament to the kids and what they’ve done in the offseason and in the weight room. Sixteen wins doesn’t just happen.”
Other area scores
Boys basketball
Lake Geneva Badger 83, Wilmot 49
Union Grove 57, Westosha Central 48
Elkhorn 57, Delavan-Darien 49
Evansville 47, East Troy 45
Girls basketball
Mukwonago 50, Muskego 44
Racine Prairie 53, Catholic Central 42
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