Waubonsie Valley smothers Batavia to win Windmill Classic
Batavia found Waubonsie Valley's ball press defense suffocating, relentless and stifling Saturday night in the final game of the 48th annual Ken Peddy Windmill Classic hosted by Batavia.
The Warriors held Batavia to 24% shooting (11-of-45) and forced 19 turnovers in posting a 47-31 win over the Bulldogs.
The Warriors, 4-0, won the tournament while the host Bulldogs finished second with a 3-1 mark.
"The thing I am happiest about is our phenomenal defensive effort," said Waubonsie Valley coach Andrew Schweitzer. "This is the third year we have been here and have implemented the ball press. The kids have bought in and are working their tails off. To their credit, we were really flying around."
The undefeated Warriors showed their unselfishness with 12 assists on 16 baskets.
"The kids are very unselfish," said Schweitzer. "The kids play so well together. We have a 9 to 10 player rotation and have good balance."
Elijah Whitaker, the Most Inspirational Player in the tournament, led the Warriors with 10 points and 5 assists.
"We were locked and loaded tonight," said Whittaker. "We really wanted this game. Everybody on this team cares for each other. We have each other's back. You really have to be in shape to run the ball press. Our goal is to get downstate this season."
Behind Whittaker, Matt Sessom scored 9 points, Treshawn Blissett 8 and Tyreek Coleman 7.
Holding Batavia to 4 field goals in the first half, the Warriors held a 21-11 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs sliced into the lead with the first 6 points of the second half on 3-of-3 shooting from the field. Kyle Porter scored 2 baskets and Isaac Wit had a putback. That pulled Batavia within 21-17 with 5:35 left in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs couldn't get any closer.
Nate Nazos, with a 3-pointer, was the lone Bulldog in double digits with 11 points.
"Waubonsie Valley is a very good team with great quickness," said Batavia coach Jim Nazos. "Hats off to them. We were a step slow tonight.
"We will get there. It is a learning process. We will get back to practice and get better."