By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Everyone knew it would be a power struggle in a boys basketball matchup between county rivals Westosha Central and Wilmot Union High School Dec. 15.
The showdown played at Westosha Central endured five lead changes and three stalemates in the first half, before the Falcons jumped ahead in the second half to defeat Wilmot 90-83.
“We knew it was going to be a tight game, Wilmot is a great team,” said Falcons coach James Hyllberg. “It is a great experience for these guys to have.”
For Wilmot coach Jake Erbentraut, the game brings unexpected results.
“The Westosha-Wilmot rivalry always brings out the best in both teams,” Erbentraut said. “You can throw out any previous record or games from the season previously. So I have always expected the unexpected.”
Wilmot senior Bobby Brenner scored a game- and career-high 39 points, and waged in a shootout against Falcons’ Tre Williams, who notched 34 points.
“Both were outstanding performances by some very talented players. From my perspective, Bobby had the quietest 39 points I’ve ever seen,” Erbentraut said.
Brenner was not surprised by Williams’ stellar play, noting he played with the Westosha Central junior in youth leagues.
“I have been playing with Tre almost my whole life, and he is a great player,” Brenner said.
Brenner, who made four 3-pointers, contributed to Wilmot’s largest lead at five points on both first half occurrences.
However, courtesy of an 8-0 run by Westosha Central towards the end of the first half, the Panthers had a 38-33 deficit.
Williams, who sparked the Falcons 8-0 run, exploited the Panthers’ defense, citing open lanes.
“I was just trying to do what was best for the team, they just kept on giving me open lanes, so I took it,” said Williams, who had 16 points at halftime.
At the half, Brenner accumulated 13 points, while sophomore guard Jeremy Bruton had 15.
“(Jeremy) is one of the hardest working guys on the team, and I knew he was going to do well,” Brenner said.
In the second half, the tide turned when Westosha Central went on a 10-0 run, six from Williams, giving the Falcons a 48-37 lead.
“We got ourselves in a deficit in the middle of the second half and, give our guys credit, they never gave up,” Erbentraut said.
Hyllberg noted stellar defense, citing key rebounds and pass distribution for giving the Falcons an opportunity to jump ahead.
In addition to Williams, senior center James Manring contributed 15 points, senior Jordan Easthon had 13 points while senior Ron Hall pitched in 19 points, including a second-half dunk that earned him a technical foul when he pulled himself up on the rim.
With four players in double figures for the Falcons, Hyllberg acknowledged the family concept is starting to sink in.
“The guys have been working hard in practice and we are starting to believe,” Hyllberg said. “The kids are starting get familiar with each other.”
Regardless of outcome, both Williams and Brenner, said it would not be an easy game for their squads.
“It is always like this with Wilmot, last year we had it, and there are a lot of momentum changes,” Williams said.
“It is always a fun game, and unfortunately it did not turn out our way,” Brenner said.