ACC's feat nets history -- and a huge challenge

Aurora Central's student section was understandably exuberant. As the clock wound down and the Chargers' margin over Glenbard South widened, the sea of blue and gold-clad fans erupted in unison with a thunderous chant.

"We Want Marshall! We Want Marshall!"

Several seconds later, their voices quieted suddenly. I'm thinking a teacher or an ACC parent gave them the "Shhhhhh" sign in a show of common sense.

To borrow a few lyrics from the popular Daughtry song… "Be careful what you wish for -- 'cuz you just might get it all."

The Chargers will, indeed, get Marshall -- one of the quickest, fastest, speediest high school basketball teams this side of lightning. Oh, and they're also one of the state's top-ranked teams. Did I also mention their phenomenal quickness?

With a regional championship and 25 victories so far, ACC's record-breaking season will come down to a matchup against a team prognosticators unanimously proclaim will face Simeon in Peoria for the Class 3A state crown.

Unless, of course, this little, private school on the west side of Aurora can prevail over a perennial state powerhouse from the Chicago Public League.

"Who knows?" said Central's Mark Adams. "Maybe we can pull off an upset and shock everyone."

In terms of magnitude and stature, it will be one of the biggest games in ACC history. Never has this school of 461 students played at such a high level, against schools like Marshall (1,167) and Glenbard South (1,464). But with the 1.65 multiplier and the new, four-class system, ACC must adjust to being a minnow in the big pond.

"If you want to be the best, you have to play the best," Central coach Nate Drye said. "It's going to be a tough task for us, but it's also going to be a lot of fun. Who wouldn't want to play one of the top-ranked teams in the state? This is an opportunity that doesn't come around often."

On a night when unexpected defeat submarined two of the state's most spectacularly successful programs -- Batavia and West Aurora -- neighboring ACC was cutting down the nets in its own gym, celebrating only its second regional title in 17 years.

The place was still packed with a capacity crowd of 1,100 -- small by sellout standards. And it could have been even less, considering the south bleachers weren't even included in the initial construction plans last decade, but added as a mere afterthought in the final building phase.

They were crammed with fans on this night. And many more hopefuls were being turned away at the door due to lack of seating space.

It was a reminder of what a special year it's been at ACC. Then you see athletic director Michael Armato, dressed in a suit and tie, sweeping the gym floor at halftime and after the game, and you realize this really is a big family that's in this together, sharing the school's enlightening success story that this basketball season has been.

"It's been unbelievable," said senior Mark Adams, the team's heart and soul. "I've never been a part of anything like this. Everything has seemed to work out the way we wanted it to this season. It's nice."

That's quite a contrast to last year's finish, when the Chargers fizzled embarrassingly in the regional championship with a 40-point blowout loss to Byron.

"We've been irritated about that ever since," Drye said. "We asked the kids to remember how they felt after that loss, and how long they had to wait for this opportunity."

They got their redemption, all right. Teammate by teammate, standing atop a ladder with a pair of scissors and snipping a cord of nylon might have felt like a dream -- until the mass of cheering fans and classmates roared again, driving home the reality.

"It's unimaginable," junior Mark Brauweiler said. "To cut down the nets in your own gym is worth all the hard work, all the running and all the open gyms we've had all year."

"I can't even explain what it's like to climb up there and cut down your own net," junior Mike Adams said.

"It's phenomenal," offered Drye, who got the last cut and ignited a fist-pumping ovation. "I got to do it a couple times when I was in high school, but it's hard to describe to the kids. There's no better feeling -- and being able to do it in your home gym in front of your own fans is beyond words. What a great feeling for everyone involved in the program."

They took their time in cherishing the occasion Friday, savoring the glory for all its worth but knowing all the while what awaits them on Tuesday at the Riverside-Brookfield sectional.

"Marshall is obviously one of the best teams in the state but we're going to go in there with a lot of confidence," Mark Adams said. "We're not going to be intimidated by them. We're going there to play."

With its size, skill and balance, ACC will present matchup problems for Marshall as well. But the Commandos' speed and athleticism is impressive, and then some. Glenbard South coach Wade Hardtke offered a neutral assessment as best he could.

"Honestly? Good luck," Hardtke said. "Marshall is an unbelievably talented team. They come at you and they keep coming at you. They start pressing you when you get off the bus and don't let up until you're back on the bus."

Interestingly, Marshall defeated Batavia by one point in January. Glenbard South defeated Batavia by four points. Aurora Central beat Glenbard South by 13.

None of those numbers matter, of course. Nor will it matter if ACC can't find a way to get the ball upcourt, lest they be swallowed whole by Marshall's fearsome, full-court press attack.

"If we can get the ball across half court, we'll be in business," Drye said. "That's easier said than done. It will be a difficult task. But we should be able to score in the half court if we can get it there.

"I think we can play with them. Obviously, we'd have to play really well, but the kids aren't going there to lose. We're going there thinking we're going to beat Marshall. That's the attitude of these kids. They want this challenge."

They've certainly earned it. Maybe the student section was onto something.