WW South, Kaneland earn wins at Batavia
Seniors Eric Rasch and Matt Dacy-Seijo combined for 37 points to help lead Wheaton Warrenville South's basketball team to a 55-46 victory over Batavia in Monday night's opening of the 40th annual Ken Peddy Windmill City Classic in Batavia.
Rasch scored 17 of his game-high 24 points in the first half while Dacy-Seijo collected 5 of his 13 points from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter as the Tigers (1-0) pulled away down the stretch.
"Those two guys both started a lot of games last year," said Tigers coach Mike Healy. "We play a lot of seniors that have experience. We're a little undersized but it's a real fun group."
Clinging to a 43-41 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers put together a 10-0 spurt to seal the triumph.
Outside of Rasch's baseline jumper, the other 8 points during the run came at the free-throw line where the Tigers finished 13 of 19.
WW South held the host Bulldogs scoreless for a 5-minute, 30-second stretch in the final quarter.
"We were OK offensively but I thought the defense got us going a little bit with some transition stuff," said Healy. "We hope that us doing this (defensive pressure) kind of wears teams down."
"It's definitely good to get a win, especially with this group," said Rasch, who hit his first 6 field-goal attempts stretching midway into the second quarter. "My teammates set me up pretty well and got me going early."
Canaan Coffey led the Bulldogs with 11 points, including three 3-point baskets, while teammate John Fitch added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Batavia enjoyed a 32-18 rebounding edge but it wasn't enough to offset its poor second-half shooting (6 for 20).
The Bulldogs also committed 23 turnovers.
"Wheaton Warrenville South did a really good job of taking us out of rhythm," said Batavia coach Jim Nazos. "Against a good team, I thought we gave them too many extra possessions - 23.
"We had some spotty defensive lapses as well but I believe we're a team that is going to get better here with time."
Kamontez Thomas added 8 points for the Bulldogs.
In Monday night's tournament opener, Kaneland outscored Chicago Marine Leadership Academy 41-22 in the second half during its 70-41 victory.
Ryan David led 3 players in double figures with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while teammates Mark Lilly and Dylan Vaca added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Trailing 19-18, the Knights enjoyed an 11-0 surge in the final 3:24 of the first hall to grab a 29-19 halftime advantage.
Mason Conroy chipped in with 7 points as first-year Kaneland coach Joe Conroy collected his first win.
"I think it was special tonight because I know how hard these seniors have worked to get to this point," said the coach. "I've had the pleasure of working with three of them in AAU and then having my two sons here tonight for the first win - that's special."