Naperville Central 64, W. Aurora 59 (2 OT)
The Naperville Central boys basketball team finally solved the red, white and blue Rubik's Cube that riddled the DuPage Valley Conference.
In front of a raucous crowd captivated by the events on the court, the host Redhawks beat West Aurora 64-59 in a double-overtime cliffhanger, handing the Blackhawks their first conference loss.
Drew Crawford forced the second overtime with a length-of-the-court drive and score, then blocked West Aurora's 3-point attempt for the tie in the final seconds of the second extra period.
"These kids, I'm so proud of them," Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said. "They just find a way to win."
Crawford scored 24 points, Matt Neufeld had 14 points and 13 rebounds and Danny Ondik 10 points for Naperville Central (14-6, 6-2), which has won six in a row in the DVC to pull within a game of West Aurora for the lead.
The Redhawks also beat the Blackhawks (14-3, 7-1) in two overtimes last season.
"We're hoping to win it," Crawford said. "Hopefully, we catch a break, they get another loss and we win out."
Crawford's two free throws with 17 seconds left in regulation tied it at 41-41, sending the game into the first OT.
Corbin Spearman's 3-pointer with 1:03 left in overtime put West Aurora ahead 48-44, but Naperville Central junior David Mallett -- just substituted into the game for the first time -- banked in a 3-pointer from the left wing.
The Redhawks still trailed 51-49 after a free throw by Theo Hicks with 7 seconds left. On the inbounds Crawford raced up the court, spun to avoid a steal by Marcus Cocroft and laid up a gorgeous shot in the lane over a defender to tie it.
"I was going to try to get to the basket, and Cocroft cut me off and went for the ball," Crawford said. "I was able to spin with my left hand and put a soft touch on it."
Neufeld put back a miss on the first possession of the second OT to make it 53-51, and at the other end Crawford rejected West Aurora's shot from behind.
"I had four fouls, but you have to try to block it," Crawford said.
"He does it all," Kramer added.
Ondik hit a jumper with 2:22 left to make it 56-52.
West Aurora had a chance to tie it after Harrison Daniels split two free throws with 13 seconds left, but Crawford blocked the Blackhawks' corner 3-point attempt and made 2 more free throws to ice it.
Crawford hit 12 of 14 free throws. As a team, the Redhawks made 28 of 37.
"It was a great high school basketball game," Kramer said. "I'm just glad we came out on top."
Cocroft scored 18 points and Tyler Thompson added 16 for West Aurora. The Blackhawks had pulled out recent nail-biters against Wheaton North, Glenbard East and Lockport.
"Coach told us if we don't play as hard as we're supposed to, we're going to lose," Cocroft said. "You have to finish the game. We didn't."