Boys Basketball: Maine West edges Deerfield

Updated: December 30, 2011 5:49PM

Just over three weeks ago, Maine West slipped past Deerfield 51-49 in a Central Suburban North nailbiter. And in the 13th-place game of the Wheeling Hardwood Classic, the two teams staged a replay.

Led by 26 points from Conor Hart, Maine West eked out a 48-44 victory Friday to finish the tournament with two consecutive wins, while Deerfield is left to hope for a third matchup to finally solve Hart and the Warriors.

“We have a tough time putting Deerfield away,” Hart said. “They always seem to hit a big three to stay in it. They all play hard and they don’t make it easy on us.”

Hart, who had 15 points to lead all scorers in the previous matchup, made 10 of 14 free throws and played the entire fourth quarter with four fouls.

“I just try to play within my role,” he said. “I’ll look to pass or do things on defense where I don’t commit any bad fouls like I had been.”

Deerfield coach JJ Pearl implored his team to be tougher, but in the end, Hart was too much.

“Conor Hart had all 26 at the line or in the paint and none of our guys were willing to step up and take charges,” Pearl said. “We have to do a better job of that if we want to be successful.

“But give Hart and Maine West all the credit. They won the battle in the paint and that’s where the war was won.”

West (7-6) jumped out to its biggest lead at 31-24 with five minutes left in the third, but Deerfield clamped down to hold the Warriors scoreless over the next six minutes. Deerfield (5-8) took its first lead at 33-31 on a layup by Mack Watts with 6:30 to go.

West went on a quick 9-2 run to regain a five-point advantage, but Michael Alfieri made a short jumper while falling down and Alex Glantz raced out on a fast break for a layup that cut the lead back to one with under three minutes left.

Hart made two free throws and Dylan Carson split a pair before Watts (16 points, 12 rebounds) nailed a three-pointer from the left wing to make the score 43-42 with 32 seconds to go.

Deerfield put on the press, but Tom Kukec leaked out for a layup on a nice dish from Kevin Garcia to effectively end the game.

“I knew it was going to be this kind of game,” West coach Erik McNeill said. “I thought we did a better job closing and making our free throws this time.”

Hart added: “Every game, I saw improvement, so I think the tournament was a success. Even though we don’t get much glory (for 13th place), it was good for us.”

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