Balanced West Aurora downs DeKalb
Following a 1-point loss Friday to Glenbard East, West Aurora couldn't wait to get back on the court.
The Blackhawks took out their frustrations on DeKalb Saturday night in Aurora. Three players reached double figures, leading West Aurora to a 61-54 nonconference victory.
“We wanted to fix our problems and play more defense,” West Aurora sophomore Camron Donatlan said. “Working on our team chemistry, a lot of talking on defense and rebounding. I'm starting to take more pride in defense.”
Donatlan hustled for 3 of the team's 9 steals. He also scored 14 points to join Caleb Siler (16) and DaVion Cross (11) in double figures.
Donatlan did all that while coming off the bench after being late to a film session.
“I'm proud of Cam in a lot of ways,” West Aurora coach Brian Johnson said. “We all falter but there's accountability too. Two points last night — I challenged him to be more active and he did. He had some big steals and is trying not to get in foul trouble.”
West Aurora (3-5) and DeKalb (6-3) traded the lead 7 times in the first quarter. Siler's pullup jumper put the Blackhawks up for good, 14-13.
Damian Virgen's steal and assist to Siler highlighted an 11-0 run in the second quarter. Sam Kolb, the only senior who played for West Aurora Saturday, added a 3-point basket as the Blackhawks built a 29-24 halftime lead.
Donatlan had back-to-back steals in the third quarter that he converted at the other end, the first on an acrobatic scoop shot past a defender, and the second a thunderous slam.
DeKalb counted with 6-foot-8 Luke Davis, who Johnson knew well from his years coaching against the Barbs at Kaneland. Davis finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, 16 of those points coming in the second half as the Barbs closed within 41-39 going to the fourth quarter.
“He's a load,” Johnson said. “I'm pretty familiar with him. I think the sky is the limit for him.”
West Aurora quickly turned that 2-point lead into a 49-39 advantage on a Cross 3-pointer, another Donatlan steal and score, and Benjamin Young's 3. The Barbs never got within 6.
“These guys beat a good team, a senior-heavy team,” Johnson said. “That was a big win. They are showing some maturity for being so young.”
Both teams shot well, West Aurora 53.4 percent (23 of 43) and the Barbs 52.5 (21 of 40).
The Blackhawks are off until a date with Simeon Dec. 28 at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.
“They are trying to figure me out, I'm trying to figure them out,” Johnson said. “It was nice to see us execute. I would think from two weeks ago we probably look a little different. It's a long season, we have a lot of games left.”