Published: Dec. 28, 2013
West steps toward change
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
MEQUON — Just like their counterparts in the same building,
West Bend West is trying to change the culture with its boys basketball
program.
That’s why even after a 61-51 victory over Waupun in the
eighth annual John Chekouras Classic at Homestead High School, which the
Spartans led from start to finish, West was happy with the victory, but not
satisfied.
“Our idea of playing well has changed,” West coach Ryan
Wietor said. “We’re looking at moving forward here; not just being content with
a win.”
However, the Spartans had to sweat out the ending more than
they would’ve liked.
West (4-3) never trailed in the game and led 52-40 with 2:21
left in the fourth quarter.
The first half was good, but not great, Wietor said.
Statistically, the half was great.
The Spartans committed just three turnovers in the first
half, while forcing eight by Waupun. They also had just two first-half fouls.
And maybe the biggest stat from the first half, which West
led 27-19, was the Spartans held Mason Domask, the 14thleading scorer in the
state at 24.5 points per game, to just six points in the half.
Even in the third quarter, the Spartans stayed aggressive
and ahead of the Warriors, leading by 14 points heading into the fourth
quarter.
So what gives?
“It was lifeless,” Wietor said. “The tempo of the game was
not to my liking.”
In the fourth quarter, Domask got loose.
The junior scored 17 points in the quarter and almost
single-handedly got the Warriors back in the game. After trailing by 12 in the
waning moments of the game, Domask carried the Warriors to within five points
with 47 seconds remaining.
“We were in a situation where we had to score quick,” Waupun
coach Dan Domask said. “We weren’t able to get the shots we wanted, so we kind
of freed Mason up to just let him go and he hit some shots to help close the
gap.”
Mason Domask scored 24 of the Warriors’ 32 second-half
points, including the first 18.
West tried to cover the quick guard by mixing up its
coverages. At times, the Spartans had Jacob Duening and Matt Koerner on Domask,
both of whom are taller than 6-5 on the 6-3 guard. Then West had a shorter, but
faster Joe Peplinski on Domask.
Wietor said he had confidence in Duening guarding Domask,
but was still a bit uneasy about Domask’s abilities.
“I’m confident with him guarding anyone,” Wietor said of
Duening. “But I know with his field goal attempts, if you shoot enough, there’s
some that are going to go in.”
Led by key free throws by Mike Frei in the closing seconds
of the game, West was able to avoid a letdown.
Frei led four Spartans in double figures with 18 points.
Freshman Kyle Wilde had 13 points, followed by Andrew Duening with 12 and
Koerner with 10, all in the fourth quarter.
“It was not pretty,” Wietor said. “I think we were still on
Christmas break. A lot of just going through the motions.
“I’m not happy with our play. ... To be able to play poorly
and get a win, we’re real happy about that.”
Wietor is in his fourth season at West, where he starred for
the Spartans and remains the school’s all-time leading scorer. Wietor is now
23-53 as the Spartans’ head coach.
He’s trying to get things pointed the right direction at
West. West Bend East, after Friday’s loss to Milwaukee Rufus King, is 7-2. The
Spartans are trying to keep up.
“We have a group of 13 guys that were happy with the win,
but not satisfied with how we played,” Wietor said.
“It’s a mentality we’re trying to instill,” he added. “We’re
not just out here having a friendly game of basketball. We’re out here to
compete every single night.”
Playing in the championship game of an in-season tournament
is at least a start.
The Spartans will play either Menomonee Falls or Homestead
in today’s championship game, which is slated to start at 8 p.m.
“We’re going to have to play light years better to have a
shot tomorrow night,” Wietor said.
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