Simeon shuts down West Aurora at Night of Hoops

Simeon's schedule could make a seasoned business traveler tired, taking them not only around the city and suburbs to play basketball but to several different states.

West Aurora wouldn't have minded if Simeon found itself in Indiana, Iowa or Idaho Saturday night - anywhere but Batavia's Night of Hoops.

Simeon (16-5) shut out West Aurora in the second quarter 15-0 on its way to a 51-33 victory.

"It's good experience for the kids," Simeon coach Robert Smith said. "That's what it's all about. Giving them a chance to get out and be seen throughout the state and country. They know they can play basketball the right way."

West Aurora sophomore Juwan Starks, coming off a career-high 28 points Friday, hit a 3-pointer to start the scoring. The Blackhawks led two more times in the first quarter at 5-4 and 7-6 before Simeon's 18-0 surge to end the first half gave them a 24-7 halftime lead.

"We didn't play basketball. We played scared. We were looking for a place to hide," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said.

"Defensively we've been doing a great job all year," Smith said. "Offensively we are just figuring it out."

West Aurora (9-12) played better in the second half, staying within 27-26. The Blackhawks got as close as 40-29 in the fourth quarter.

Simeon's Brandon Spearman (Dayton) was the only player on either team to finish in double figures with 13 points.

"I thought we played a little better in the second half," Kerkman said. "The first half we played too scared."

West Aurora received a scare when Starks went down with a minute left in the third quarter. He didn't return, but he said afterward he "should be all right."

Kerkman expected a better effort from his team.

"I knew they were quick," Kerkman said. "They came at us and we really didn't show much intelligence. We didn't show much initiative. We were playing back on our heels and they were in a go stance.

"I was not very happy with the way they were playing because I know they are a better team than that. We should have given a better effort."