Delafield — Concentration. Poise. Composure under pressure.
These are important traits, all taught with emphasis to the students at St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy. But those characteristics are not that school’s exclusive property, however, and those qualities are not reserved for upperclassmen alone.
Whitefish Bay Dominican maintained its poise and turned to freshman point guard Duane Wilson for key plays Friday night as the Green Knights outlasted the Lancers, 64-54, to claim the Central Division title of the Midwest Classic Conference in boys basketball.
“We told our players that, in order for us to say we are a good team, we have to beat a good team on the road,” Dominican coach Paul Wollersheim said. “We talked about poise, being under control, keeping patient. They seemed to really buy into all of it.”
The Knights (16-6 overall, 9-1 MCC) came into the game ranked No. 8 in the state among Division 3 schools by The Associated Press.
St. John’s (14-6, 7-3) appeared poised for a comeback victory in the fourth quarter before Dominican thwarted the rally.
“Their defensive game plan is to use that 1-3-1 trap, force you out of your offense, make you throw the ball away and make you take bad shots,” Lancers coach Tim Richert said. “We did all three of them.”
The hosts committed 17 turnovers, shot 40% (18 of 45), fell behind 10-2 after 3 minutes and trailed by as many as 12 points in the second half. St. John’s persevered, however, and was within 50-46 with 4 minutes remaining.
That’s when Wilson demonstrated he is no ordinary freshman.
When one Dominican player appeared to be getting a bit overheated, it was Wilson who walked over and encouraged his teammate to maintain composure.
On the next trip downcourt, Wilson dribbled toward the basket with determination on his face, stopped at the right side of the free-throw line and drained a jumper that widened the gap to 52-46 with 3:48 to play.
Two possessions later, Wilson drove the right side and dropped in a layup while being fouled. His ensuing free throw made the score, 57-48, with 2:24 remaining.
St. John’s would draw no closer than five points the rest of the way.
“Early in the season, I wasn’t doing those things,” Wilson admitted. “Coach (Wollersheim) just told me to be smart and play my role. As the year went on, and I got used to my teammates, (the leadership) seemed more natural.”
Wilson’s coach said he often forgets his point guard is a freshman.
“People underestimate the calming effect he has on our team while running the point,” Wollersheim said. “He’s a born leader, and he’s taken that quality about as far as a freshman can this year.”
Seniors Tommy Popalisky (13 points) and Mikael Luter (12), joined junior Iman Johnson (12) and Wilson (11) in double figures for the Knights.
Chris McFarlane hit five three-point goals and led St. John’s with 17 points.
