Westminster Christian’s Firchau notches 500th career victory
By Tim Sieck For Sun-Times Media February 21, 2012 8:42PM
Westminister Christian coach Bruce Firchau gives the crowd the thumbs up after claiming his 500th career victory Tuesday against Faith Lutheran in Hinckley. | Donnell Collins~For Sun-Times Media
WESTMINSTER CHRISITAN 65, FAITH LUTHERAN 25
Faith Lutheran (4-17)
Larson 3 3-6 10, VanAntwerp 2 2-7 7, Tieman 1 0-3 2, A.Boyer 1 0-0 2, B. Boyer 1 0-1 2, Moffat 1 0-4 2. Totals 9 6-21 25.
Westminster Christian (16-12)
Jeralds 0 1-2 1, Woodhouse 8 0-0 22, Rogers 1 1-2 3, Wiewel 5 5-8 15, Kleczynski 3 0-1 6, Beachler 3 3-4 9, Brandon 1 0-0 2, DeHaan 1 2-4 5, Bloom 0 2-2 2. Totals 22 14-23 65.
FL . 06 . 5 . 07 . 07 -- 25
WC . 15 . 9 . 24 . 17 -- 65
3-point goals: Faith Lutheran (1)- Larson 1. Westminster Christian (7)- Woodhouse 6, DeHaan 1.
Article Extras
Updated: March 28, 2012 10:19PM
History was made in Hinckley on Tuesday night as Westminster Christian defeated Faith Lutheran 65-25 in a quarterfinal of the Hinckley-Big Rock Class 1A Regional. With the victory, Warriors coach Bruce Firchau earned his 500th career win in his 35th season.
“This definitely gives me a sense of humility and honor,” said Firchau. “It just shows how hard all of my players have played, and my assistant coaches deserve a ton of credit as well. My wife and family have provided huge support and are the key ingredient to my success.”
The Warriors (16-12) started off a bit slow, but turned things on in the second half en route to the 40-point victory. The Westminster Christian defense, which is a huge factor in coach Firchau’s coaching philosophy, forced 27 Saints turnovers and held Faith Lutheran to just 30 percent shooting.
Junior Will Woodhouse led the Warriors with 22 points, including 6-for-13 from behind the three-point arc.
“We definitely turned things up a notch in the second half,” said Woodhouse. “We defended a lot better and as coach always tells us good defense will start offense and that was the case tonight.”
Faith Lutheran coach Andrew Ernst was impressed with the accomplishment Firchau achieved on Tuesday.
“Bruce is such a great coach,” said Ernst. “His teams are always great defensive teams. Not only is he a great coach, but he is an even better person.”
The Saints (4-17) were led by Jake Larson with 10 points.
Any thoughts of Firchau retiring after reaching the 500 win milestone can be put to rest for the moment. He’s 500-416 in his career, which has included stops at at Dundee-Crown, Oswego, Harvard, Plainfield (Ind.), Assumption (Ill.) and Leland.
“As long as I have the energy and still enjoy it I plan to keep at it,” said Firchau, whose team advances to Wednesday’s regional semis against Mooseheart. “I don’t have a magic number as far as how much longer I want to coach. I’ll know when it’s time to go. I love teaching the kids and couldn’t be happier at Westminster Christian. I’ve always lucked out and had players who want to be coached and that is what I’ve enjoyed the most.”
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