INTER-COUNTY LEAGUE Western Reserve learning how to win key games

The Blue Devils are 6-0 in the ICL after defeating Springfield.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN CENTER -- Not since the 1999-2000 season has the Western Reserve High boys basketball team been atop the Inter-County League standings.
After pulling out a come-from-behind 56-53 victory over Springfield Friday, the Devils find themselves in unfamiliar territory -- leading the ICL with a 6-0 league record.
Senior Jake Zatchok, who was an eighth grader when Western Reserve (8-4) tied for the ICL crown in 2000, scored a game-high 19 points to lead the comeback.
Devils rally
His effort along with seniors Mark Dickerhoof and Nick Sanders helped the Devils overcome a 49-44 deficit in the last four minutes of the game.
"[Springfield] had all the momentum at that time," Western Reserve coach Steve Miller said. "That's a good sign that we're becoming a team that's gaining a lot of confidence and growing.
"In years past and in earlier games this year, those were the kind of games we were buckling under and losing."
Down five points, Dickerhoof hit a 3-point basket and Zatchok followed with a two-pointer after a turnover to tie the game at 49.
Springfield pushed the lead back out to three points, 52-49, on a free throw and a basket by Aaron Wood, who led the Tigers with 12 points. He also had four rebounds.
Matt Speece scored for the Devils to make it a one-point game. Following a free throw by each team, Sanders hit a putback shot with 1:35 remaining to give the Devils a 54-53 lead.
Springfield had a chance to pull out the road win but turned the ball over with 12 seconds left.
Two free throws by David Ferrando with 10.1 seconds remaining gave the Devils the three-point victory.
Springfield called a timeout with four seconds left but couldn't get off a shot before the buzzer.
Hurting again
"Another heartbreaker for us," Springfield coach Grant Spaite said. "I thought our guys came out and played with a lot of intensity, especially in the third quarter.
"Six of 14 from the free-throw line isn't going to win you too many ball games," Spaite said.
Springfield outscored the Devils 19-10 to turn a 31-26 halftime deficit into a 45-41 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
But the Tigers made just 5 of 11 free throws in the second half.
Western Reserve's Zatchok said the Devils are learning not to panic down the stretch.
"I was just trying to figure out how we were going to pull this out," said Zatchok about his team trailing heading into the fourth quarter.
"I knew we could," Zatchok said. "We have the people and talent to do it, so it was just a matter of time."
Targeted
The Devils are learning to like their new position at the top of the league standings, but Miller knows that his team will have bull's-eyes on their backs the rest of the year.
"Every night we have to come out and play in this league," Miller said. "Everyone is going to come out and give us their A-game. So far we've responded -- 6-0."
Sanders scored 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Reserve, while Dickerhoof scored nine points.
Marc Russell scored 11 points for the Tigers.