West Chicago edges cross-town rival Wheaton Academy

Boys basketball is alive and well and playing in West Chicago.

Two cross-town rivals enjoying quality seasons - West Chicago and host Wheaton Academy - took the court on Tuesday in a game loaded with intensity.

Trailing by double digits early in the second half, the visiting Wildcats rallied late to pull out a 49-46 victory over Wheaton Academy.

"It was pretty intense," said West Chicago guard Chad Driscoll. "We just wanted to stay in it, keep chipping away. It's a huge rivalry, and we had a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because they beat us pretty bad last year."

Consecutive three-point plays by the Warriors' Anthony Ritchie and Tim Rusthoven put Wheaton Academy (7-3) ahead by 11 points in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The margin dwindled to 6 points early in the fourth quarter before the Wildcats (8-7) took charge.

It started with a steal and basket by Driscoll. The junior then gave West Chicago its first lead since midway though the first quarter when he nailed a 3-pointer with 2:12 left to put his team ahead 42-41.

Tyler Griffith added a bucket on West Chicago's next possession to cap a 10-1 run, and the Wildcats kept their lead at the free-throw line by knocking down 5 of 6 attempts in the final 26 seconds.

"They responded, and that's the best part," said West Chicago coach Kevin Gimre. "They were playing, they were doing what they're supposed to do. We made some great plays and kept chipping away."

The Rusthoven-Ritchie combo put the Warriors in fine shape early. Late foul trouble to both post players, however, threw the team out of its rhythm.

Six-foot-eight Rusthoven finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks while Ritchie tallied 17 points, but their foul-induced absences cost the Warriors. They made only 2 of 10 third-quarter shots from the field and 12 of 20 free throws for the game.

"Our bigs were in foul trouble much of the second half," said Wheaton Academy coach Paul Ferguson. "We leaned a little too heavy on Rusthoven and Ritchie and didn't get a lot from other areas. We needed more balance."

While Driscoll scored 7 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter, Griffith tallied all 15 of his points in the second half of West Chicago's third straight win.

"Playing intense basketball, getting on the floor, coming back ... that's fun," Driscoll said. "That's what the game is all about."