The Riverside Brookfield boys basketball program can officially use the “D” word ?dynasty.
The Bulldogs cruised to a 60-51 victory over Lemont on Friday to clinch their fifth straight Suburban Prairie (East) Conference championship?”their seventh in the last 10 years. In fact, the Bulldogs (15-9, 9-0) have compiled a staggering 51-4 record in league play over the past five years, but RB coach Tom McCloskey is quick to deflect any of the credit, attributing the impressive run to his coaching staff and players.
“Winning the league takes three months to achieve, so it’s a great accomplishment when it happens,” he said. “This is our fifth in a row and I really think it is credit to players in our program and our assistant coaches. Everyone has been very committed to keeping the winning tradition here at RB and we continue to work hard and prepare in the off-season. All that work enables us to continually get wins and has kept us on top in the league.”
Against Lemont, Jon Baldermann led the Bulldogs with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Steve Wilhelm added 12 points via four first-half three-pointers. Senior Mark Gorman added 11 points, while senior Matt Sandrik chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Bulldogs were clutch from the field, converting 22 made field goals.
RB did not fare as well, however, against Lincoln-Way East (LW) on Saturday, falling 71-62 at home. The Bulldogs began Senior Night well, leading 15-11 after the first quarter. But, the Griffins slowly clawed their way back into the contest by driving to the basket and using their height in the post to build a 31-29 halftime lead. LW continued its torrid scoring pace in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 23-17 to build a 54-46 lead. The Bulldogs would not get closer than six the rest of the way.
“They (LW) had a real good third quarter and we just couldn’t find an answer,” McCloskey said. “LW made a run and even though we made a couple of adjustments defensively, they spread us out and hurt us in transition. I think the credit belongs to them, but it was definitely difficult to lose on Senior Night.”
Baldermann paced RB with 19 points, while Sandrik added 13 points and nine rebounds. Gorman chipped in 11 points and three steals. Despite the loss, McCloskey believes the tough non-conference schedule will prepare his squad well for the upcoming State tournament against Morton on March 1.
“There is no doubt that we have a very difficult non-conference schedule,” he said. “But, I think it helps us in the conferences and it helps get us respect around the area.”
Still, McCloskey is not looking too far ahead because the Bulldogs still have another non-conference game against Brother-Rice and then travel to Fenton for the season finale on Friday.
“As far as finding the winning formula, I think defensively we have to pack it in more, because teams are hurting us with penetration in the paint,” he said. “I still think we are playing sound basketball, we just have to have to put it all together.”