Just fine at the foul line: West Branch tops Salem

The Warriors made 14 of 15 in the final quarter to put the game away.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BELOIT -- On Friday, the West Branch High boys basketball team had an answer for everything Salem threw at it.
And when it counted, the Warriors came up big at the line, making 14 of 15 in the fourth quarter to stun the Quakers 61-54 at West Branch High School.
"The last three or four games we've absolutely struggled [at the line]," said West Branch coach Mike Falasca, whose team made 3 of 10 from the line in the first three quarters. "Tonight we stepped it up, especially down the stretch."
Salem struggled early, allowing the Warriors to take a 10-5 lead entering the second quarter. West Branch extended the lead to 18-7 after Steve McNeely and Mike Fugate made back-to-back 3-pointers.
Salem regrouped late, but still trailed 20-15 at halftime.
"That was no doubt the worst half we've had all year offensively," said Salem coach Jeff Brink. "Our execution was the worst it's been all year, especially on offense. Plus we didn't finish.
"Then in the second half we got some open looks but we were atrocious on defense."
Keeping itclose
After scoring just three baskets over a 12:50 second stretch of the first half, Salem caught fire in the third, making 7 of 10 field attempts. West Branch answered each Salem score, however, until the Quakers finally managed back-to-back goals with 2:04 left in the period.
But the Warriors answered with six straight points to take a 39-31 lead by the start of the fourth quarter. Not only that, they had a 7-0 advantage in second-half fouls.
"We gave up too many layups and offensive rebounds," said Brink. "Plus they stepped it up at the line."
Salem (17-3), which made good use of the glass throughout the game, got within four once and five two other times in the last period.
But West Branch didn't fold.
"Our kids are aggressive and they go for the ball," added Falasca. "And they did that tonight.
"Plus, we scouted Salem a few times -- about 10 -- and we thought we had a counter for each thing they would do. And we did."
Tournament boost
Shane Young, who scored 15 points for the Warriors (15-5), said the win gives them a boost entering the tournament.
"This was huge," said Young. "It was actually like a tournament atmosphere here tonight.
"Both these schools have great student sections and when you went to the line you just told yourself, 'I can't miss this.'"
Kyle Rockwell had 17 points for West Branch, Brandon McMillen added 13.
Tom Jesko had 15 points for Salem (all on 3-pointers), while Ryan Benchwick had 13 before fouling out with just over two minutes left.
"Right now we can either fold our tents or put it behind us and go on," said Brink. "We're a good team, but if we expect to keep going we have to do some things better."