Warriors start strong in PSL
Wheaton Academy started strong in defense of its Private School League boys basketball championship.
The Warriors, who shared the 2006-07 title with Chicago Christian, beat Illiana Christian 69-59 on Saturday at the Warrior Dome in West Chicago.
While the weather outside was frightful, Wheaton Academy (5-1, 1-0) received a delightful 1-2 punch from senior guard Ben Euler and senior forward Paul Werkema, who scored 23 and 18 points, respectively. Junior guard David Toellen chipped in 11 points and 3 steals.
"I really enjoy playing with this team," said Euler, who prior to last season chose to stay at Wheaton Academy though his father, former Warriors coach Andy Euler, took the coaching job at Covenant College in Georgia.
"We're off to a great start, 5-1 now," said Ben Euler, who sank four 3-point shots. "It's a lot of fun playing."
Illiana Christian (2-3, 0-1) never led in the game but tied the score twice, at 20-20 late in the second quarter and at 26-26 early in the third.
In each case the 6-foot-4 Werkema muscled inside, first for a putback that ended the Vikings' 7-0 second-quarter run.
Wheaton Academy went on to post a 24-21 halftime lead, but a 3-pointer by Illiana guard Jordan Brink, who scored a team-high 17 points, tied it at 26-26 with 5:45 to play in the third quarter.
The Warriors earned possession on a scramble near the Illiana basket and capitalized when Werkema plowed in for a layup and was fouled intentionally.
He missed the first free throw but split the 2 due the intentional for a 30-26 lead.
Werkema, who with Euler and 6-3 senior Jared Cochrum has greater responsibility with 6-8 sophomore Tim Rusthoven out with a medical condition, added 2 blocks and 9 rebounds, 6 of them on the offensive glass.
"Without Tim we have to do a little more, combined with the rebounding," Werkema said. "Normally he'll just stand up there and get them a whole lot easier, so we have to work harder on that without him."
Illiana hung around, but 2 Euler free throws brought the score to 60-48 with 1:43 left, allowing reserves like Quinn Gorski, Mark Fernandes and Brian Franz to complete Step 1 of Wheaton Academy's title defense.
"It's a big deal for us," said Warriors coach Paul Ferguson. "We want to repeat as PSL champs. We're on a good start.
"We're still learning to play without Rusthoven right now, so guys are playing different positions. We're still a little out of sync. We'll get clicking here."
-- David Oberhelman
Wheaton North 80, Bartlett 63:ŒKristian Rosenberger hit five 3-pointers to finish with 30 points, and his Wheaton North teammate Dave Pilalis added four 3-pointers, totaling 14 points in a nonconference victory in Wheaton.
Streamwood 72, Glenbard North 61:ŒEvan Watkins scored 22 points, including 12 in the third quarter, for the Panthers in a nonconference loss in Carol Stream. Marko Govedarica added 16 points for the Panthers, and Reid Hulett added 10.
Aurora Central 69, Noble Street 41: The Chargers are a perfect 6-0 to start the season after having three players finish in double digits. Steve Hollon (12 points), Joey Guth (15) and Mark Adams (10) all posted solid games for the Chargers, who led 47-15 at the break.