“I told them three games ago, we’re not a favorite in any game, if that’s the way we’re going to play we’ll never be a favorite,” said Copley of some of the Wolverines early struggles. “However, they played like a favorite tonight.”

Leihden Wotorson got things started for the Wolverines hitting a baseline three just under two minutes into the first quarter, going up 3-0 and never trailing again. The Wolves pulled within four, 11-7, with 2:33 left to go, before Sheffield took off on a 9-2 run that ended the way the quarter started, another Wotorson three to go up 20-9.

The second quarter proved to be tougher offensively for Sheffield, as the Wolverines were just barely able to outscore Kane, 13-12 in the quarter, but defensively the Wolves were never given a chance to earn back any of the points given up in the previous quarter.

“The defensive intensity was there from start to finish,” said Copley. “Pregame I preached defensive intensity. Get up there. Play like you played those last three quarters for the next four. I think we had a little bit of a lull on the front end, but I’d say the second half they were outstanding.”

Mason Silvis holds up the Holidays Tournament Championship trophy presented by Tony Richards. Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms

With a 33-21 lead to start the third quarter, Sheffield’s offense continued to search for their first quarter groove, however the defense remained steady enough to maintain a lead despite give up 15 points to their own nine score, ending the third with a 42-36 lead. Yet under two minutes into the fourth, the Wolves finally were within striking distance, pulling within six points, before Sheffield’s offense erupted once again, to outscore Kane 19-9 to finish the game.

Lucas McNeal, the tournament’s MVP, scored a game-high 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Connor Finch also had nine rebounds to go with his 13 points. Leihden Wotorson dropped 13 as well with three steals, while Mason Silvis had eight points.

The Wolverines will face Eisenhower next on January 4th in Sheffield, a make-up game from earlier in the season.

SHEFFIELD (45)

McNeal 5 4-12 14, Wotorson 2 3-4 13, Finch 5 3-7 13, Silvis 0 5-6 8, Hardwick 1 1-2 6, Barr 2 1-2 5, Mott-Macalush 0 2-2 2, Totals 15 19-35 61.

Tournament MVP, Lucas McNeal pulls down one of his nine rebounds during Wednesday night’s Championship win over Kane, 61-45. Times Observer Photo by Cody Elms

KANE (45)

Darr 5 0-0 13, Anderson 3 6-8 12, Zampogna 2 0-0 10, Paul 1 2-3 4, Szymanski 0 3-4 3, Wensel 1 0-0 2, Lyndeen 0 1-2 1, Totals 12 12-17 45.

3 Point Goals: Sheffield – Wotorson (2), Silvis, Hardwick; Kane – Zampogna (2), Darr.

Sheffield 20 13 9 19 – 61

Kane 9 12 15 9 – 45