It's payback time as Wheaton Academy tops Coal City

Last year Coal City handed Wheaton Academy its only regular-season defeat in the second round of the Lisle Holiday Cage Classic.

Not this year.

Wheaton Academy on Monday avenged that 2008 loss with a 50-49 victory to advance to the tournament's semifinals at 8 p.m. Tuesday against either Lisle or Walther Lutheran.

"They beat us in the same game last year, sent us to the loser's bracket in this tournament, so it's kind of nice to come out on the other end this time and get a chance to go to the semifinals," Wheaton Academy coach Beth Mitchell said. "And we talked a little bit about that before the game. I knew that Coal City was real excited about playing us again and giving us our one loss last year during the season. But at the same time we were excited about having a chance to play them again too. I don't think my seniors really wanted to let the Lisle tournament go again on that kind of an ending. They did a good job."

The game was close all the way, with the Warriors taking a 1-point lead into halftime. The game was tied at 40 after three quarters.

Senior Alexa Sharkey led the Warriors (11-1) with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 steals, including a key steal in the final seconds. Classmate Meghan Grant added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

"Lexi just played a great game," Mitchell said. "She was so intense. Her intensity was just unbelievable."