Westminster Christian 47, Mooseheart 30
The smiles were as wide as the postgame hugs were plentiful at Westminster Christian Friday night.
The Warriors secured the school's first regional plaque in boys basketball by pulling away from Mooseheart in the second half for a convincing 47-30 victory in the Class 1A Westminster Christian regional title game in Elgin.
The Warriors (20-8) won with defense and rebounding, the two phases of the game most responsible for fueling a decisive 19-1 second-half run that turned a 2-point contest into a breeze down the stretch.
Westminster limited the Red Ramblers (17-7) to single-digit scoring in every quarter and out-rebounded them 29-16.
The victory advances the Warriors to Tuesday's Class 1A Somonauk sectional semifinal against Donovan (25-3), a 59-35 winner over Somonauk at the Woodland regional.
"This is awesome," said Westminster senior Joel Benson, who finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds. "This is the best feeling of my life. This is the best ever. I love it."
Westminster led 16-12 after a deliberate first half, and Mooseheart trimmed the deficit to 23-21 when sophomore Dennis Davis converted a three-point play after a layup in the paint with 2:43 left in the third quarter.
However, Westminster held the Red Ramblers without a field goal for the next 8:09, a span during which the Warriors built a 42-22 lead to the delight of their standing, cheering fans.
The surge was ignited by a three-point play from junior guard Dan Graves on a feed in transition from senior Tyler Beachler. Benson followed with an easy inside bucket and Beachler scored on a drive that beat the buzzer and gave Westminster a 30-21 lead after three quarters.
Beachler opened the fourth period with an uncontested layup after he slipped behind the Mooseheart defense, Benson followed with another inside bucket and Cory Hodge drilled a jump shot that inflated Westminster's advantage to 36-21.
Moosheart shot 31 percent from the field (13 of 42).
"We just couldn't make shots," Mooseheart coach Jeff Perales said. "We had a lot of nice looks at the basket that just didn't fall for us tonight. There are nights when that's going to happen and you have to play good defense. We knew we had to do that, but they just outplayed us. They outsmarted us and outplayed us and it showed."
Tyler Beachler led all scorers with 17 points to go with his 6 rebounds.
"It's just amazing how much we've grown over the last four years," said Beachler, who held the regional plaque in his arms with the game net draped about his neck. "From 0-26 (as a freshman) to regional champions. If we continue to play like this, we can go far. There's no telling how far we can go.
"We're going to enjoy it tonight then come back focused on moving forward."
Tickets on sale Monday:ŒAn allotment of 500 tickets for Tuesday's Class 1A Somonauk sectional semifinal will be available for presale to the public at Westminster Christian School on Monday between 8-11 a.m.
Students may purchase tickets during their lunch period.