By Dennis Bowling
Beecher Coach Tyler Shireman’s Bobcats are the best team in the River Valley Conference, while winning an impressive 25 games. The Bobcat defense, though, did not have an answer on how to contain the phenomenal Blue Devil senior Miles Heflin on February 22.
Heflin, with exceptional accuracy, drained a pair of game changing treys late in the fourth quarter, to finish with an amazing 27 points and 12 rebounds, to help Peotone eliminate Beecher, 48-44, in the semifinal round of the Class 2A Momence Regional in Momence.
With the win, Peotone (17-14) was to play Pontiac (24-6) and winner of 10 games in a row in the title game of the Class 2A Momence Regional on February 24. Should the Blue Devils win, they would advance to play in the Class 2A Herscher Sectional on February 28 at 7 p.m.
Heflin, a golf and basketball standout, was delighted to beat the No. 4 seeded Bobcats. “It really feels great,” he said. “We were able to beat them. We played great defense and rebounding, too. We are playing together as a team.”
“I was able to hit some very important shots,” he continued. “When I got open, I was able to get great screens, and that is when the shots went in. We all gave it our best.”
Peotone Coach Ron Oloffson was quite pleased with the play of Heflin and the Blue Devil team, “We just knew that Miles is capable of hitting a couple of treys. We executed our game plan perfectly and did not turn the ball over. Our defense was frustrating to them. I am very proud of my team. They all had their moments and are a pretty good team.”
With 3:27 to go in the game, Beecher’s Zachary Johnson’s (eight points) layup bucket gave them a 42-40 lead. Heflin made a trey for a 43-42 Blue Devil advantage, as the Peotone fans were cheering loudly.
With 1:16 to go in the contest, Heflin made another trey, giving the Blue Devils a 46-44 lead. Fortunately for Peotone, Beecher’s Jack Hayhurst and Adyn McGinley each missed shots with a minute to go.
Moments later, the Blue Devils Brandon Weiss (eight points) made one free throw for a 47-44 advantage. James Kuypers also made one free throw to seal the win. After that, the Blue Devils boys’ basketball team was celebrating.
Beecher’s outstanding junior McGinley, who finished with 15 points, remarked, “They hit a lot of shots. They were shooting the ball very well. We tried to speed them up, but they were able to adapt to that.”
“Miles is one of the best players we have ever played against,” he continued. “He is tall and his shot has improved. It was a real punch in the gut when he hit those treys, but I am just so proud of my teammates.”
Beecher junior Jack Hayhurst praised the play of Heflin, as well, saying, “He’s a smart player, is going to hit his shots, and was very tough to guard.”
Zachary Johnson, who finished with eight points for Beecher, commented, “Things did not go as planned. Miles was just on fire.”