Whitfield holds off Lutheran SC comeback
For a while during Friday’s Class 3 District 5 championship, the Lutheran St. Charles boys basketball team found ways to counter Whitfield’s superior quickness.
But despite letting an 18-point lead in the second half nearly evaporate, district host and top-seeded Whitfield held off a late charge by No. 2 Lutheran for a 68-55 win and berth in the Wednesday’s sectional round.
“It’s a good win and we’ve worked really hard all season since the start of November,” said Whitfield sophomore Zach Ellis, who led the way with a game-high 27 points. “They came back on us because we weren’t playing our game but we capitalized on situations and made our free throws.”
It’s the second straight district championship for Whitfield (19-10) and third overall.
The Warriors built their lead early thanks to an opportunistic transition game. Ellis and fellow sophomore Darrion Harris made it look like a track meet, and continually found ways to get behind Lutheran during fast breaks.
“Whitfield’s an incredibly talented and disciplined team,” Lutheran coach Mike Holtmeier said. “They excel at their break and have so many weapons. They hurt us with their inside presence and perimeter shooting.”
Whitfield senior Michael Gallagher’s 3-pointer midway through the second quarter gave the Warriors their biggest lead of the night at 49-31, but Lutheran senior Sam Deitte, despite playing in foul trouble, helped bring the Cougars all the way back.
Deitte, who finished with a team-high 20 points, came up with steal and finished the transition layup with 2 minutes, 25 seconds left in regulation. It completed a 20-4 Lutheran run and cut Whitfield’s lead to 53-51.
“We’re blessed with nine seniors who have been through a lot the last three years,” Holtmeier said. “They really laid it on the line tonight.”
That was as far as Lutheran could press the score, as Whitfield countered Deitte’s layup with an 11-0 run. Ellis hit 8-of-10 free throws in the final quarter and sent Whitfield to its second sectional appearance in as many years.
“We took advantage of our team speed and defensive tenacity,” Whitfield coach Mike Potsou said. “I’m happy that our guys, despite some breaks not going away, didn’t push the issue and just played solid man-to-man (defense).”
Whitfield will play the winner between Elsberry and Centralia. The winner of that game, played Friday at Bowling Green High School, was unavailable before Journal press time. Wednesday’s sectional will be held at St. Charles West at 7:45 p.m.
Potsou said that Whitfield senior Maurice Burns, who took a spill late in the third quarter and left the game with an apparent knee injury, should be OK to play on Wednesday.
Lutheran, which won five straight games entering Friday’s championship, ended its season at 17-10.
