Tosa East's Williams' late-game heroics became standard

Posted: April 1, 2009 |(0) Comments

Two words can be used to describe Wauwatosa East senior Eric Williams: big shot.

No, Williams was not in need of an attitude adjustment. Instead, the forward had a knack for making clutch shots while helping the Red Raiders compile a 44-6 record over the last two seasons.

Often, when the team needed someone to take a big shot, it was Williams. As a result, he was selected to the 2008-09 CNI/NOW All-Suburban Boys Basketball Team.

"I'm not scared to take the shot," Williams said. "Last year I hit that 3. This year I hit that tip-in. I'm not scared to do it. When the game's on the line, the game's on the line. It's no time to freeze up. It's time to play."

The 3-pointer Williams referred to came in the final seconds of regulation in the WIAA Division 1 state championship win over Madison Memorial last season, a play Williams' coach Tim Arndorfer has called "the biggest shot in Wauwatosa East history."

The Red Raiders trailed by three late in the contest and had possession of the ball. When the first two options of a set play - Brice Powell and Jake Barnett - were covered, the ball was kicked out to the right wing to Williams, who swished a 3 with 28 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

"I think about it sometimes; it was a big shot," Williams said. "I didn't hesitate to shoot it. I hit a big 3 at the right moment. I didn't know what to do after the game. I was really shocked. All my teammates were there celebrating, but I was really shocked."

Williams also won the sectional semifinal that year, scoring on a drive to the basket with 25 seconds left in overtime for a 62-60 win over Milwaukee Custer. He also made a clutch shot late in a 48-46 sectional final win over Milwaukee King.

Building on success

This season, he averaged 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per games, both team-highs. He shot 46 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line and was a first-team all-Greater Metro Conference selection.

"He was our most prolific scorer," Arndorfer said. "He does a lot of things you can't really coach. He really played both ends of the floor as his scoring and rebounding was important for us all year. Teams revolved their defense around him"

Brookfield East coach Andy Farley gave an opponents' viewpoint.

"Eric is such a difficult match-up for teams with his ability to score in diverse ways," he said. "He can score in the post. He can score taking it to the basket. He can score from the perimeter, and then he can be most dangerous getting offensive rebounds."

At it again

In this season's sectional, Williams totaled 21 points while recovering from the flu. In the sectional final, a 60-57 overtime loss to Milwaukee Washington, Williams made his presence felt late again. With a half-second remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter and his team trailing by two, Williams tipped in an improbable shot off an inbounds pass to send the game to overtime.

"Coach said they were going to give the ball to me," Williams said. "We've run that play throughout the whole year. Dan (Sayles) gave it to me and I just put it in. I went crazy after I just put in it. I thought we were going to win. I was excited, ready to play more."

Despite falling short in the extra period and missing out on consecutive trips to state, Williams and the Red Raiders had a good season.

"I played my heart out," Williams said. "I have a love for the game, a love for my teammates.

"Everyone just wished we went back to state. I was in shock. I expected to go back to state. I didn't expect us to lose."

 

Tom "Sky" Skibosh can be reached at (262) 446-6620.