W. Aurora blows out W. Chicago

Fun.

That's the best way the West Aurora boys basketball team described Saturday night's 76-24 win against DuPage Valley Conference opponent West Chicago in Aurora.

It certainly was a fun one for the Blackhawks, who saw 15 players clock in playing time with 13 of them scoring at least one point. The win not only improved West Aurora to 11-2 overall, 5-0 in the conference, but it was the biggest win point-wise this season.

"We try to get a big lead so that everyone can play," West Aurora starting guard Marcus Cocroft said. "It makes us feel good when everyone is having fun. When we have fun, that's when we win."

Defense set the tone early for the Blackhawks, who outscored the Wildcats 20-4 in the first quarter, which included a 9-0 run from 4 of the 5 starters.

"Our defense has been pretty good this year," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. "This is the second or third time (we've held a team) in the 20s (in total points), so the defense has been there all year long."

"We came out pressuring them," added guard Marquis Stewart, who finished with 3 of the Blackhawks' 19 total steals. "We are tough, we are quick on defense."

West Chicago (1-14, 0-5) did not reach double-digits until less than a minute remained in the first half. By then, West Aurora led by 30 points.

"We talk a lot on defense," said Cocroft, who finished with 3 steals. "If we talk a lot on defense, we are going to win. That's what we work on in practice."

The Blackhawks opened the second half on a 12-3 run and was able to lead by 40-plus by the end of the third quarter.

"They certainly shot well on top of (their defense)," West Chicago coach Kevin Gimre said of West Aurora. "That's a combination you don't want to see."

West Aurora's largest lead of the game was 74-21 after a free throw from Cory Alvis with 52.1 seconds left in the game. The Blackhawks were able to keep West Chicago in single digits in every quarter.

Three players reached double-digits for West Aurora -- Cocroft, Stewart and Corbin Spearman each tallied 15 points. Spearman added 5 rebounds and 5 steals.

For West Chicago, Tyler Griffin scored the team's first 8 points. He finished with 10 and 6 rebounds.