Demons enjoy lead for three quarters, but Cardinals fly in 4th
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
For three quarters last Friday night in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal, the Burlington boys basketball team proved it can play with a much larger, Division 1 powerhouse.
Unfortunately for the Demons, host Sun Prairie, which features two Division 1 college recruits, displayed its athletic superiority in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 57-42 victory.
Burlington finished the season 17-6.
Thanks to hot shooting, Burlington jumped out to a 23-21 lead at the half. Sun Prairie guard and former Marquette University recruit Nick Noskowiak hit a 3-pointer and was fouled for a four-point play to give the Cardinals a 28-27 lead with three minutes to go in the third.
Then, with two minutes left, Burlington freshman Nick Klug drained a triple to give the Demons a 32-31 lead.
Burlington seemed well on its way to entering the fourth quarter with a lead, and they were in the bonus.
But in a flash, explosive teams can make a run, and that’s what Sun Prairie did.
The Cardinals closed the final minute of the third quarter with a steal and three-point play followed by a 3-pointer.
The 5-0 run snowballed into a 26-10 barrage to end the game.
“We came out strong, and I feel like they were overlooking us,” said senior forward Nathaniel Sibley, who had four rebounds. “We showed you can’t overlook us. We were up at halftime, and we played really well and hard. A team like this, we don’t have much margin for error. We had too many turnovers and gave up too many offensive rebounds. I couldn’t be happier with the effort.”
Head coach Steve Berezowitz said his team competed against Sun Prairie.
“We had to limit their looks, and they helped us by being patient in the first half,” he said. “Their athleticism won out tonight. You can’t allow them into the paint like we did. I’m really proud of our guys.”
“We were missing our best three perimeter defenders, Brad Burling, Ty Wiemer and Erik Viel. That put a lot of pressure on the guys that were out there. We didn’t value the ball in the end, and that happens.”
Sun Praire erupted for a 13-0 run to start the fourth and led, 43-32, with just under six minutes left. But Burlington kept fighting.
Frankie Hozeska knocked down a triple, and Cal Tully hit two free throws to cut the lead to five with three minutes left.
But the Cardinals’ defensive intensity picked up and shut down the Demons. Also, Sun Prairie hit its foul shots on the other end.
“There’s a reason they have two D1 players,” Berezowitz said. “Those guys took over. We tried to foul and get back in it, but there wasn’t much we could do.”
Malik Robinson led the Cardinals with 16 points, and Noskowiak added 14.
J.T. Ruffin, another D1 college prospect, chipped in 11 points.
Noskowiak, a 6-foot-5 guard, could get anywhere he wanted on the floor with ridiculous handles and had unlimited shooting range. Ruffin, a 6-foot-6 forward who’s receiving D1 interest, cleaned up the glass and didn’t allow Burlington any easy buckets.
Klug led Burlington with 14 points, including three 3 pointers, and Tully added three triples and 13 points.
Hozeska added 13 points and 14 rebounds.
Only four Demons scored, as James Tully added two points.
Burlington totaled eight 3-pointers, while the Cardinals did their damage down low.
Thank you, seniors
The Demons now must say goodbye to seniors Burling, James Tully, Hozeska, Eric Johnson and Sibley.
“This is a classy group of five seniors,” Berezowitz said. “They’ve all competed in multiple sports. That has a positive impact on us. You can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.”
Sibley will remember one of the best teams he’s ever played with.
“We were always hanging out together, and we had each other’s backs no matter what,” he said. “I wasn’t going to come out this year, and Brad and Bud Johnson said I had to come out because I would miss it. This is the most fun I’ve ever had on a team.”
“What got me after the game was when one of the coach’s kids came up to me and told me I’d always be one of his favorites,” said James Tully. “I’ll miss the relationships with coaches as well.”
Johnson will remember the packed gyms and the excitement of playing on Friday nights.
“The four years flies by, and it’s something I’ll have forever,” he said.
Hozeska, who led the team with 14.7 points per game, was part of the 2013 conference champion Demons.
“I’ll miss the memories on and off the court,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of guys and have been with my best friends. It’s been a great experience, and I’ll always remember it.”
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