Shorthanded East struggled in tourney

There is no doubt that the LaVern Luebstorf Holiday Tournament at Brookfield East last week had four tough teams scheduled. So it didn't help matters that the host Spartans had to play shorthanded.

Playing without three starters, Brookfield East stayed close to Milwaukee Riverside before seeing the Tigers pull away in the fourth quarter for a 60-44 win Friday. The day before, they had dropped a 64-46 decision to Racine Horlick.

East Troy defeated Milwaukee Riverside, 74-71, in overtime in the first game of the tournament in an outstanding high school game.

East Troy then defeated Horlick to win the title, 67-61, Friday.

The combined record of the four teams coming into the tournament was 18-6.

"I'll put our tournament against anybody's," East coach Andy Farley said. "We had a sectional atmosphere (the first night). It was a great game between two of the top teams (East Troy-Riverside) in the state. It was a solid tribute to coach Luebstorf."

No spark against Horlick

With Mikey Novak out sick and Nick Kanavas unavailable, the Spartans were flat in the 18-point loss to Horlick the first night, trailing 37-22 at halftime.

"We were awful, and we all felt that way: coaches, players, managers, athletic director," Farley said.

"It was tough for us dealing with guys gone. But this is 'big boy' basketball and you have to grow up in a hurry. I didn't think we grew up last night, but I think we did tonight."

Stronger showing next night

Billy Dietz was added to the missing players' report Friday, as he also was under the weather, so the Spartans played the Tigers without three key players.

East hung with Riverside until 5:25 was left to play. After Ryan McBride sank two free throws to cut the lead to 35-34, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run.

But McBride passed to Brian Smith, who scored on a driving layup and was fouled on the play. Smith converted the free throw to cut the lead to 42-37, but an 8-0 run put the Spartans away.

"We just ran out of gas," Farley said. "I'm proud of the way they competed against a really good team. But we ran out of gas with five minutes left."

McBride led East with 18 points as he continued to be a bigger part of this offense, and Smith added 14. Bakari Triggs led Riverside with 15, and Jalen Currie and Shomari Triggs had 13 each. In the loss to Horlick on the first night, Smith led the way with 17 points.

"It hurts a lot, lack of depth," Farley said. "Guys who have to play 20 minutes are playing 29. Guys who play 15 are playing 31. It hurts a lot when you take depth away.

"I'm really happy with the guys who stepped on the floor (Friday). All eight played, and all eight contributed."

Facing Wilmot

Brookfield East defeated Wilmot in a non-conference game, 70-60, Tuesday at home.

Farley was almost back to full strength. Novak and Dietz scored nine and eight points, respectively, to give the Spartans some depth. Smith scored 15 points, Jake Weismueller added 14 and Mike Eberle scored 11, with three 3-pointers.

Smith had seven points in the first quarter and six in the third, Dietz and Eberle had six each in the third and Weismueller had six in the final period to lead the Spartans.

East led 24-10 after one quarter, 32-16 at intermission and 56-32 after three quarters.