Aurora Christian wins sectional behind Danos’ 36
You can use a lot of words to break down why a team wins or loses a basketball game.
Aurora Christian coach Steve Hanson needed just one when asked how the Eagles held off Chicago Uplift Friday night 81-75 to win the Class 2A Aurora Christian sectional title.
“Dean,” Hanson said.
That would be Dean as in Dean Danos, No. 44, the flashy junior transfer from Richards who poured in 36 points. He was so unstoppable he had one coach saying things like “unguardable” and the other “All-State” to describe his electric play.
Danos was especially money at the line in the fourth quarter when the Titans (12-16) had fought all the way back from 16 points down to give themselves three possessions to tie.
Uplift misfired on all three 3s while Danos drilled 8 of 9 free throws in the fourth quarter and 12 of 14 in the game, offsetting 7 of 19 shooting at the line by the rest of the Eagles.
“Every time we needed something to happen he made something happen,” Hanson said. “In the end he was the difference. He made the case for All-State tonight and I think a pretty good one.”
Aurora Christian (15-16) won its first sectional title since 2000 and sixth in school history. The reward isn’t an easy one, a date with state favorite Hales Franciscan in the Class 2A Joliet Central supersectional Tuesday night. Hales defeated Seton Academy 67-43 Friday night.
“It’s huge,” said Hanson, pointing to a loss to Marmion nine games ago as the turning point in the Eagles’ season. “Kids are pumped, the program is pumped. The kids are supporting us. It’s generating a lot of excitement in the school. It’s been fun.”
The Eagles trailed once Friday, 3-2 when the Titans made the first of their 11 3-pointers. Danos only scored 4 points in the first quarter while his teammates picked up the scoring slack on their way to a 23-15 lead after one. Nick Marema led the way with 9 first-quarter points, then opened the second quarter with a drive for a basket.
Danos broke the game open with an sizzling stretch to end the first half. Up 40-34, Danos drove and scored while getting fouled. He followed by banking in a 3 from the wing and then swishing a 3 from the top of the key to score the final 8 points of the half and open a 48-34 lead.
The Eagles hit 21 of 29 shots from the field in the first half, repeatedly burning the Titans by driving for easy scores. Danos scored 19 points in the half and Marema had 13.
“My guys are helping me out,” Danos said. “It’s not all me. I just thank God first that He gives me the opportunity to come out and play.”
After opening its biggest lead of the game at 50-36, the Eagles watched the Titans rally within 56-51. Aurora Christian extended its lead back to 66-53 after three quarters on Marema’s stickback in the closing seconds.
When Danos drove and drew the fifth foul on the Titans’ leading scorer Devonte Smith (10 points, 15 rebounds) with 5:54 to go for a 71-60 lead, the Eagles looked in command.
But sophomore guards Jerrard Davis and Devin Brown brought the Titans back with 25 and 20 points, respectively.
“They shot the ball better than we thought they would,” Hanson said. “They just wouldn’t go away. It felt like we could score on them but we just could not stop them. Kudos to them.”
Within 73-70, Davis had a 3 go halfway down and come out with 2:30 left. In the closing minute, the Titans got as close as 78-75 only to miss two more 3s.
Danos nailed a pair of free throws with 26 seconds to go for a two-possession lead, and moments later the Aurora Christian student stormed the court to celebrate with the team.
“It’s a great feeling, a great feeling to come this far,” Danos said. “We have a great group of guys.”
Marema added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles, C.J. Schutt had 13 points and 8 boards and Ryan McQuade pitched in 9 points and 7 rebounds as the five starters played nearly the whole game.
David Addo finished as the fourth Titan in double figures with 13 points. Uplift made all 10 of its free throws and outrebounded the Eagles 43-38, but hit just 27 of 69 field goal attempts including 11 of 42 on 3s.
“I think our defensive intensity picked up in the fourth quarter and I was proud of the fellas for that,” Uplift coach David Taylor said. “We just could never get over the hump. We never could hit the big shot. Each time (we got down) they battled back. I just wish we could have sank a couple shots at the end.”
There wasn’t a senior among the seven Aurora Christian players who got in the game Friday. The future is bright, even if the next opponent Tuesday in Hales is daunting. Danos knows a few of the Hales players from being part of the same MeanStreets AAU team.
“We probably don’t want to,” Hanson quipped on if he’s seen Hales play. “We have a couple tapes on them we’ll look at tomorrow. We’re going to enjoy this one tonight. We know we have our hands full. We’re playing well and we’ll go against the best team in the state and we’ll see how well we are playing. It will be exciting.”