Undefeated Waubonsie Valley quiets West Aurora, now 20-0
Waubonsie Valley’s basketball team put its tenacious, ball-hawking defensive ability on full display Saturday afternoon at the Marmion Shootout.
Jumping out to an 18-3 first-quarter lead, the Warriors limited West Aurora (14-7) to 1-of-7 shooting from the field during the opening 8 minutes.
After the Blackhawks mounted a comeback, pulling within 28-26 midway through the third quarter, the Warriors once again relied on their defense.
Holding the Blackhawks scoreless for more than 10 minutes, the Warriors pulled away for a 46-29 victory – their school-record 20th consecutive win to start the season.
“Our defense is what allows this team to be great,” said junior guard Tyreek Coleman, who finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds and a pair of steals. “We play aggressive, we’re all in the passing lanes, we get steals. When other teams get sped up, they’re playing right into our trap. We get steals and runouts all night long.”
Seniors Tre Blissett and Matthew Sessom led the Warriors (20-0) with 16 points apiece, while Sessom added a team-high 6 rebounds.
Despite the healthy offensive numbers, what the Warriors do best lies at the defensive end.
“We have a unique combination of length and athleticism,” said Waubonsie coach Andrew Schweitzer. “I think the underrated part of it is that this is our third year of being in this system. Some of the stuff the kids do – they figure it out on their own.
“They kind of know what other teams are going to do. When we are locked in mentally, it’s tough for teams.”
Playing without juniors Terrence Smith and Kewon Marshall, the Blackhawks got back in the game thanks to their 23-7 run during the middle of the contest.
CJ Savage (11 points) and Jordan Brooks (10 points) each knocked down a pair of 3-point baskets for the Blackhawks.
“Honestly, some of those threes were on me,” said Schweitzer. “I was trying to put our guys in a little different defense and overreacting to what they were doing offensively.
“It’s also a credit to those two kids – Savage and Brooks. That’s what they do. They’re very good high school basketball players. We made some adjustments in the second half and tried to prevent that from happening. I tried to trust my kids a little more.”
The slow start, which included 5 first-quarter turnovers, hampered the Blackhawks.
“We struggled to build energy until we hit some shots,” said West Aurora coach Mike Fowler. “Against a team like that (Waubonsie), you’ve got to have energy for four quarters. They did what they’ve been doing all season.
“With our personnel, we knew it was going to be tough. The dynamic changes when you’re missing guys who play heavy minutes. Right now, we’re kind of hitting a little bump in the road. We’ve lost three straight. We have a big week next week – three road games with two of them conference games.”
Schweitzer acknowledged that his team didn’t see West Aurora at its best.
“I know they’re missing their best player (Smith) – he’s a difference-maker,” said the coach. “They’re a very good team.
“There are going to be nights when our shots are not falling but we can count on our defense every night.”