The playoffs are when we find out just how good a star player really is. Will he come to play, or will the pressure get to him? Friday, Whitefish Bay's stars came to play.
Senior center Jamie Schneck and senior forward Ron Patten, Jr. led the way, each with 21 points, as Whitefish Bay(15-8) advanced in the WIAA state basketball playoffs by defeating Messmer(15-9) 65-41.
For Patten, it perhaps was one of the best games of his life. He did everything -- he grabbed key rebounds, passed the ball well, and made three-point shots, including one in the first half from the black line halfway between half court and the top of the three-point arc.
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“He (Patten) played very well” said Whitefish Bay coach Kevin Lazovik. “He made some good shots, had some good posts moves, good passing, so overall, very good game.”
Patten was not alone, however, as other Blue Dukes stars came to play as well.
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Like Patten, Schneck scored 21 points. Unlike Patten, who is more of an inside/outside dual threat, Schneck got almost all of his points the hard way--underneath the basket.
In response to the Bishops' ability to penetrate the Blue Dukes' man-to- man, Lazovik had his team rotate between three defenses in the third quarter: a high pressure man-to-man, a 2-and-2 trapping zone, and a 1-3-1 zone.
The rotation between the three defensive sets proved to be too much for Messmer to overcome, as the Blue Dukes forced the Bishops into tough shots and several costly turnovers. By the end of the quarter, Whitefish Bay led by 20 and Messmer was never able to recover.
The date, time and location of Whitefish Bay's next playoffs game is yet to be determined.
