Improved shooting helps Warriors win title

Hinsdale Central coach Ed Lynch scouted Waubonsie Valley's loss to Aurora Central on Friday.

"They couldn't have thrown it into Lake Michigan," he said.

Saturday was different. Facing Hinsdale Central a second straight year for the title of the Warriors' Christmas Classic, Waubonsie Valley went 23 of 42 from floor and won 58-55 in Aurora.

Jelani Johnson scored 22 points with two 3-pointers and Jonny Strauss had 21 with five 3s, shaking off Friday's malaise and also 23 turnovers.

"It feels good. It was the same exact team from last year, too," said Johnson, all-tourney along with the Warriors' Roy McElroy and Hinsdale Central's John Whitelaw and Jason Rafferty.

"It's the same feeling, I still feel good about it," said Johnson, a Western Illinois recruit. "And I executed both times, came out of a slump."

The way Waubonsie Valley (7-5) handled the ball in the first half, when Whitelaw snagged 3 of his 5 steals, it was surprising either Johnson or Strauss had enough touches for big points.

Rallying from a 22-18 second-quarter deficit, Strauss hit three 3s and Mark Szott scored twice inside to take a 31-27 halftime lead over Hinsdale Central (5-5).

"The first half we were sloppy, we had about 18 turnovers, but I think only about four or five the second half," said Warriors coach Steve Weemer. "That's what I was more proud of. We could have folded our tent and did some things we've done in the past to lose. We fought through it."

While Waubonsie Valley made better than 50 percent of its shots, Hinsdale Central hit only 24 of 68, many misses near the basket.

"It's those easy shots that really show in the end," said Rafferty, whose 15 points led the Red Devils ahead of Nick Kladis' 14 and Whitelaw's 11. "We would have won this game if we had put in a couple of those early layups."

Hinsdale Central still cut a 10-point deficit to 56-52 with 1:59 left on a Whitelaw 3. Tyler Castro's 2 free throws pushed the Warriors' lead to 58-56 with 41 seconds left, and a Kladis 3 had the Red Devils within 58-55 with 24 seconds left. Hinsdale Central missed a tying 3, Strauss securing the rebound.

It was a second straight stirring effort for Hinsdale Central, which Friday beat Naperville North after trailing 42-23 in the third quarter.

"I've got to give credit to my kids," Lynch said. "They battled and didn't quit and don't give up on a game, don't give up no matter what the score is."