West Aurora rolls in opener

PONTIAC Unselfish play and balanced scoring have long been the trademarks of the West Aurora boys basketball program.

Wednesday morning in the opening game of the prestigious Pontiac Holiday Tournament, Juwan Starks' game-high 21 points led four players in double figures as West Aurora never trailed in its 71-51 victory over Danville.

The Blackhawks (9-1) advanced to meet undefeated Public League power Curie, the third seed which turned back Niles West 57-41, in the second quarterfinal this afternoon.

Brandon Gossett illuminated the notion of the sixth-man providing instant offense when inserted into the game.

The senior reserve guard scored 7 of his 11 points in the second quarter. West Aurora, with second-chance points as its calling card, used Starks' bookend tip-ins to open and close the quarter to take a 33-20 lead into the break.

"I try to come in and get the team goinglike a spark off the bench," said Gossett.

"(Gossett) gave us a real nice spark out there," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. "I thought he was one of the few players playing with confidence."

The third quarter was dominated by Starks' play around the basket, and the renewed confidence of sophomore point guard Jontrelle Walker and shooting guard Jayquan Lee.

Walker (game-high 10 rebounds) scored 11 of his 14 points in the period, and West Aurora had a 23-point quarter to lead by an equal number, 56-33, after the three periods.

Starks' offensive rebounding prowess became infectious as Walker and Lee had putbacks from their guard positions.

"We played well out there today," said Starks, who also had 9 rebounds. "Offensive rebounding (was the difference). That's what our coaches teach us, and that's our mindset when we're out there."

For the game West Aurora, which enjoyed a 24-7 advantage in second-chance points, outrebounded the Vikings 49-29.

"They're very disciplined and well-coached," Danville coach Gary Tidwell said of the Blackhawks. "Their physicality took us out our flow offensively."

Josh McAuley continued to showcase his defensive presence in the paint, blocking 3 shots and influencing several others.

Chandler Thomas was the fourth West Aurora player in double figures with 11 points, and Lee was not far behind with seven.

The boss, however, was noticeably upset after 9 fourth-quarter turnovers enabled Danville to outscore his squad for the only time.

"The (number of) turnovers (in the fourth quarter) was ridiculous," Kerkman said after the Blackhawks' sixth straight win.