Wilmington ousts Coalers in regional

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:18AM

When it's Wilmington vs. Coal City, no matter what the sport, you can expect a hard-fought game.

Tuesday night was no exception as Wilmington escaped with a 52-49 boys basketball win in the Class 2A Reed-Custer Regional. The Wildcats (7-20) take on top-seeded Manteno Wednesday night at 6.

The first half was all Wilmington as the Wildcats never trailed en route to a 27-22 halftime lead.

Coal City (3-23) caught fire in the third quarter, as sophomores Brandan Shetina and Jon West combined for 13 of the team's 17 points as the Coalers took a 39-34 lead.

In the fourth, though, it was Ty Anderson's turn to shine. The Wilmington senior hit 7-of-7 free throws in the final quarter to help the Wildcats to a 12-of-13 showing. His pair of free throws with 4:21 left gave Wilmington the lead for good at 45-44.

"It all comes down to shot selection and taking care of the ball," Wilmington coach Matt Hines said. "Our seniors gave us a big lift. It was nice to have a lead at the end and close it out."

Anderson led Wilmington with 20 points, while Matt Halloran had 15 to lead Coal City.

"We had one of our better quarters of the year in the third," Coal City coach Brad Boresi said. "I can't knock our effort."

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