Chino's win gives Tigers the edge

Wheaton Warrenville South wrestling coach Ryan Ferguson had a feeling entering Thursday's match against Naperville Central that their dual meet could very well come down to one match.

Sure enough, the Tigers managed to squeak by Naperville Central thanks to a couple close matches, sealing a 32-27 victory in Naperville with Spartak Chino's win in the 130-pound class.

"We knew coming in that it was going to come down to a match. One match on either side," Ferguson said. "It came down actually to the last match of the evening, and we were fortunate to win that match. Sparty Chino stepped up and got a big win for us tonight."

As the weight classes increased, so too did the quality of wrestling from Wheaton Warrenville South (9-5). The Tigers claimed victories at 160, 189, 215 and 285 pounds to swing the momentum, highlighted by senior Mike Olp's impressive victory in the 215 class.

"He's a solid kid," Ferguson said. "He's only weighing about 185, but I move him up to 215, (which) makes our lineup a little stronger. He's doing a great job stepping in, he's obviously a very powerful kid and has some solid technique.

"We're looking for him to make a little bit of a difference here for our team and individually down the road."

The Redhawks made a late comeback (12-8, 2-3 DuPage Valley Conference), pulling out wins in both the 125- and 130-pound classes from senior Keenan Marr and sophomore Andy Kovalsky, but were ultimately done in by Chino's last-match victory.

"There were so many matches that kind of came down to 1 or 2 points," Naperville Central coach Rob Porter said. "We won a couple of them, they won a couple, and it worked out in their favor in the end."

Thursday's close defeat was just the latest in what has been a somewhat disappointing season thus far for Porter.

"It's been a tough season. Last year we were regional champions and we had a great year," Porter said. "This year we're just kind of fighting and struggling a little bit, trying to find our way. But these kids have a lot of character and a lot of heart. They're going to end up on top in the end, for sure."

-- Matthew McClarey

Wheaton North 53, Glenbard East 13:ŒIf Wheaton North's 125-pound wrestler Nate Fitzenreider was a basketball player, he would be a point guard.

The senior sets the table in many ways for the Falcons on the mat.

"He really sets a high standard for those that follow him," 145-pound Eric Terrazas said. "He makes you want to go out and wrestle at the same high standard as he just did. He kind of kick-starts us."

Fitzenreider did more than just kick-start the Falcons (13-5) Thursday night against Glenbard East. He propelled them to victory.

Wheaton North was leading 15-10 before the 125-pound bout, a bout in which Fitzenreider dominated the entire match en route to a 20-3 technical fall to double the lead to 20-10. The Falcons won 53-13.

After the Fitzenreider match, 130-pound Jake Denhof followed up with a pin of Steve Hilliard in 52 seconds and 135-pound Bobby Munro used only 1:51 to pin Glenbard East's Matt Cobb.

Follow that match up with a 12-5 decision for 140-pound Ryan Earley and a pin for Terrazas, a match in which he was leading 20-7 with the only points being scored by the opposition was by Terrazas cutting him lose, and before you knew it, the score was 41-10.

"We are obviously very strong from 125 to 145," Fitzenreider said. "Everyone from 25 to 45 is a stud. Our team is still getting better, too. The reason some people on this team are as successful as they are is because everyone in our room pushes each other. We are only as strong as our weakest link, and we don't have one."

Mark Hane (189) got the match started off in the right direction for the Falcons when he pinned Parker Settecase with 12 seconds remaining in the third period.

Pat Walker (215) got those points back for the Rams (12-3) in the next match by pinning Brian Buri in 1:42 to tie the score up 6-6.

Walker said that it is really tough going up against a team like Wheaton North because of how balanced they are, especially in the middle of its lineup.

"It is frustrating because we are right in the match and then they get to 125 pounds," Walker said. "Once we got into their bread and butter they pounced all over us. That has been what the DVC does to teams in the past. They are a good squad."

Dominic Schmidt (160) and Harry Myers (171) both won by pinfall in the second periods for the Falcons.

Fitzenreider said that a lot of the guys on the team are starting to peak at the right time.

"As the weeks go by, we have been getting stronger," he said. "We are so competitive as a team we are pushing each other to get to the next level."

-- Jason Watt

Girls basketball

Wheaton Academy 52, Luther South 20:ŒTaylor Glover scored a game-high 14 points and Alexa Sharkey contributed 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the Warriors (12-6, 4-1) in their Private School League triumph.

Wheaton Academy held a 24-14 lead at intermission before outscoring Luther South 28-6 in the second half.

Jenn Lee chipped in 10 points for the winners.

West Aurora 62, Glenbard East 49:ŒWest Aurora (10-6, 4-2) rolled to a DuPage Valley Conference win powered by Kyra Watson's 25 points and 16 rebounds and Bri Tye's 23 points, 11 assists, 6 steals and 4 rebounds.

Jackie Foreman netted 19 points to top Glenbard East (7-10, 1-5). She made all 9 of her free throws.

West Aurora outscored the Rams in every quarter. The Blackhawks led 15-11 after one quarter, 29-23 at the half and 47-36 after three quarters.

Glenbard East went 17 of 23 from the foul line.

York 54, Bartlett 33:ŒMeryl Cripe made three 3-pointers on the way to a game-high 15 points for the Dukes (9-9) in their nonconference victory.

Courtney Owens added 14 points and Amanda Heuser 11 for York.

The Dukes led 22-10 after one quarter. They blew open the game with a 14-2 third quarter that made it 47-23.