Deerfield Boys Basketball Team Win Regional Championship

DEERFIELD, IL — The Deerfield High School boys basketball team started hot Friday night, outscoring their opponents 12-3 in the first quarter and holding off a comeback attempt to become regional champions for the first time in three seasons.

The No. 5 seed Warriors (21-10) defeated No. 4 Mundelein (20-12) by a score of 54-44 in the Class 4A Wheeling Regional championship, setting up a sectional showdown with Stevenson this week.

It was the second meeting of the Warriors and the Mustangs this year. When the two teams squared off in November at the a Thanksgiving tournament at Mundelein, Deerfield was narrowly defeated 48-46.

Deerfield coach Dan McKendrick told the Daily Herald the key to the team's success was forcing Mundelein's leading scores to work hard for every scoring opportunity.

"We've come a long way," he said. "We started the year 0-4, and I can't speak more highly of what our three senior captains have done to lead our team,"

The last time Deerfield won a regional championship was in the 2015-16 season, Pioneer Press reported. The Mustangs managed their first regional final appearance since the 2012-13 season.

The Warriors will face Stevenson at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Waukegan in the sectional semifinals. The winner will play Friday in the sectional championship.