Thomas sparks W. Aurora
Playing for the first time in 13 days, West Aurora needed a spark against Wheaton Warrenville South in crunchtime.
Chandler Thomas had impeccable timing in delivering the Blackhawks' 42-38 victory over the Tigers in DuPage Valley Conference boys basketball action Friday night in Aurora.
Over a 26-second span with less than three minutes to play and WW South holding a tenuous 34-33 lead, Thomas hit a short turnaround jumper in the lane to give West Aurora the lead for good.
On the ensuing WW South possession, Thomas' quick swipe at the head of the key triggered a steal that Jayquan Lee turned into a 3-point play off Juwan Starks' feed.
"The play (on the short jump shot) was designed to go to Juwan," Thomas said. "The opportunity presented itself, and I took the shot. On the steal I just tapped at (the ball), just got it and pushed it to Juwan to get another score."
WW South (6-12, 3-5), which defeated the Blackhawks (16-3, 6-1) three times last season, picked an inopportune time to go 3 minutes and 44 seconds without scoring.
Tim Zyburt, who led both teams with 15 points, converted twice at the free-throw line with 4:45 to play to give the Tigers their fifth and final lead of the night.
WW South would not score again until Danny Roadman converted twice on inside scores in the final half minute as West Aurora zealously guarded the 3-point arc.
The teams' defensive systems could not have been more disparate, but the results were a shared stinginess.
With WW South employing a 1-2-2 zone against the Blackhawks' traditional man, neither team found any rhythm offensively.
West Aurora missed all eight 3-point field goals it attempted in the first half, and the Tigers were able to neutralize Starks all night.
The West Aurora four-year standout was held nearly 13 points below his season average, scoring only twice from the field both in the third quarter in finishing with 7 points.
Neither West Aurora nor WW South were able to eclipse single figures in the second and third quarters; Josh McAuley, who led the hosts with 10 points, scored at the second-quarter to give the Blackhawks a 21-19 lead at the break.
"We just didn't put the ball in the basket," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. "(The 13-day layoff) is an excuse. I have to praise our defense, though. (The WW South) ball movement was very good, but we didn't give them very many good looks."
Matt Kienzle scored 11 points for WW South. Jontrel Walker scored 8 points, and Lee added 7 points for West Aurora.
Thomas finished with six.