Waubonsie Valley runs winning streak to 6 games
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Waubonsie Valley didn't take the Upstate Eight Valley this year, but it couldn't be in much better position to capture bigger targets.
The Warriors rolled to their sixth win in a row — and ninth in their last 10 games — with a 74-49 Senior Night triumph over Lake Park on Friday in Aurora.
Waubonsie Valley (19-7, 8-4) removed much of the game's mystery early by hitting 12 of its first 13 shots without committing a turnover.
"There's a reason why Waubonsie was picked to win the conference," said Lake Park coach Josh Virostko. "I think they have the most talent in the league. I think that might carry them through a run in the regional and sectional."
Senior forward Bryan Jefferson led the way with 20 points and 9 rebounds and handed out 5 of his 7 assists in the first quarter as the Warriors kept making the extra pass to get open shots.
"I loved that we shared the basketball tonight," said Warriors coach Steve Weemer. "We predominately have been a jump-shooting team. We have to make sure we have a nice balance there. I felt like we did a nice job getting to the rim tonight."
Eleven of the Warriors' 14 first-quarter baskets came on layups as they led by double figures for the game's final 25-plus minutes. Senior guard Jared Brownridge had 15 points to take over second place on the school's all-time scoring list, and junior reserve Jay DeHaan with 12 points also scored double digits for Waubonsie Valley.
"I think (defenses) are really keying in on me and Jared," Jefferson said. "When they draw in on me, I just kick to the open (teammates) and that's been working pretty well. Once that gets going, I just try to take open shots for myself."
The Warriors have averaged 67.5 points during their six-game winning streak. They shot 58 percent in last Saturday's win at Metea Valley and drilled 67 percent during the first half Friday before cooling to 55 percent for the night.
"Our offense has been playing pretty well for the last five games," Jefferson said. "We're just trying to keep it going through regionals."
Lake Park (14-11, 4-8) was paced by senior guard Michael Van Aswegen, who came off the bench to drill 6 of 9 3-point attempts in the first three quarters, finishing with 18 points.
"In the first half we didn't compete," Virostko said. "The third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter, we at least competed. We ran out of gas. Didn't have the horses."
