Westminster handles Elgin Academy

A slow start was all but forgotten by the time the Westminster Christian finalized its 47-31 victory over Elgin Academy at the 3rd Annual Westminster Christian Boys Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament Monday night.

The Warriors (1-0) turned the ball over 7 times in the first quarter and trailed the Hilltoppers (0-1) 6-5 heading at the end of one quarter. However, Westminster outscored the visitors 15-8 in the second period and 17-6 in the third to open a 37-20 lead.

"Last year we scored 18 in the first quarter and looked really sharp, but that didn't happen this year in the opener," Warriors coach Bruce Firchau said. "But I was pleased. When Nate (Suire) came into the game it seemed to give us a little energy and we got some good things done, and we continued with that in the third quarter."

The Hilltoppers, who took the floor with 6 available players, played an effective up-tempo style, but the team with no players taller than 6-foot-2 had no answer for 6-81/2 Warriors center Ian Dutcher. The junior finished with 13 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocked shots to lead all players in each category.

"I think we were just a little nervous because it was the first game, and we were playing a little too quick," Dutcher said of the sluggish start. "We weren't focusing on playing smart. We were just playing fast. I think it just clicked in the second half. We got the hang of it. We started getting good passes down low, getting good shots and we started running our plays."

Dutcher was the difference maker, according to his coach.

"Everything centers around defense with us, and when I say center you can literally say center because of Ian's presence in there," Firchau said. "He's a good rebounder and even if he doesn't block shots, he alters shots. So it really allows our players to overplay.

"As I've said, Ian has really flown beneath the radar, but I don't think that will be (the case) much longer. I think he's one of the better secrets in Illinois, and I think he's probably going to do a little more growing. He loves playing and it's fun to watch the progress he's made. He knows he's just scratching the surface, but we sure like what we're seeing."

A jumpshot by Ben Carani (10 points) game the Warriors a 22-19 lead with 5:18 to play in the third quarter, and junior Brandon Cork's 3-pointer stretched the advantage to 28-16. A drive by senior Ryan Beachler, a bucket by Dutcher on an inbounds play and Luke Carani's putback basket helped the Warriors extend the lead to 17 points at the end of three quarters.

"Our execution in the third quarter was a little poor and that was a big part of it," first-year Elgin Academy coach David Vogt said. "They hit some shots and we didn't. I wouldn't blame it on our endurance or only having six guys."

The Hilltoppers featured balanced scoring between from Aaron Thomas and Connor Flexman (7 points), Paul Leonardis and Jon Busano (6 points) and Patrick Martinak (5 points).