Wilmot boys survive St. Thomas more, fall to Wolverines

By Dan Truttschel~Sports Correspondent

Recent games have provided more than a few struggles for the Wilmot boys basketball team.

But in all but one case – a hard-fought Southern Lakes Conference loss last Thursday night at Waterford – the Panthers have found a way to survive.

And that certainly was the theme Saturday afternoon – survival.

Wilmot never really clicked on all cylinders in its non-conference game at Saint Thomas More, but had just enough for a 60-53 win.

The victory improved the Panthers to 15-3 overall. Wilmot took a 9-1 SLC mark into a road game Tuesday at Delavan-Darien. Results were unavailable by press time.

While he knows the win Saturday was anything but easy, Wilmot coach Jake Erbentraut did see some things he liked as his team prepares for the quickly approaching post-season.

“Our common denominator must be defense, and that was (the key),” he said. “We were able to make a run because I believe we wore them down.

“I was encouraged after watching film that we also showed some toughness and composure down the stretch, two things that we’ll need going into the playoffs.”

Neither team could build much of a lead throughout Saturday’s contest. Wilmot held a 28-27 advantage at halftime and eventually built a 46-38 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

Thomas More refused to go away quietly, however, as it trimmed the deficit by one point in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Panthers.

Wilmot committed 21 turnovers, but was able to push through, which was a positive sign, Erbentraut said – along with being able to adjust to the different style of basketball Thomas More wanted to play.

“I talk to (former Badger) coach (Forrest) Larson regularly, and he mentions the importance of being able to play games that are both slow and games that are fast,” Erbentraut said.

“I think we have to find satisfaction in winning games that aren’t pretty as well. (The) thing of it is, however, we won’t be able to get away with that every game.”

Senior Andrew Lartey led the Panthers with 15 points, followed by Mike Stevenson with nine and Brandon Schattner with seven.

Lartey has put together several consecutive solid efforts, Erbentraut said.

“Andrew is playing some really good basketball,” he said. “This game and the game against Waterford, he came to play.

“He adds an element of toughness on the defensive end of the floor, has improved his scoring and is becoming a solid vocal leader. As a senior, that’s what we need this time of the year.”

Following Tuesday’s game with Delavan, the Panthers will be back in action Friday night when they host rival Westosha Central at 8 p.m. The boys’ contest will follow the varsity girls matchup between Central and Wilmot.

 

Waterford upsets Panthers

Host Waterford erased a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter behind 11 points the final 2:53 by the duo of Tanner Hunsucker and Chris Benavides, who finished with 25 and 11 points, respectively.

Benavides gave Waterford the lead for good with two free throws late in the quarter. He later split a pair of free throws to account for the final score.

Wilmot had one final chance for a tie but missed a shot as time expired.

“Waterford was able to keep their composure, turning to their seniors, and they made big plays,” Erbentraut said. “Hunsucker and Benavides are good ballplayers who have been in that situation before and were able to come up with scores at the end.”

Waterford’s rally erased a 10-point lead for Wilmot with just less than six minutes remaining. Two steals by Lartey led to a pair of quick baskets, followed by two layups and another basket by Lartey off a turnover.

“When we’re on, there’s very few teams that can do what we do,” Erbentraut said. “After the game, the Waterford coaches marveled at what we did defensively and then converting our steals into scores.”

Lartey led the way with 15 points, followed by Mike Stevenson with 15 and Nate Hensel with 13.

 


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