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West Aurora tops Wheaton North for 40th regional title

Wheaton North scored the first 4 points of the second half. But West Aurora star forward Roland Griffin had a haymaker in return for the Falcons.

The Illinois State-bound Griffin scored 7 points during the Blackhawks' ensuing 13-0 run to reverse their last deficit of the Class 4A regional championship in Aurora. West Aurora never trailed again and pulled away late for a 65-50 victory.

It was the 40th career regional title for the Blackhawks.

"I thought we played really good defense in the second half," said West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman, who won his 24th regional championship.

West Aurora (20-8), the sixth seed of the East Aurora sectional complex, has eclipsed 20 wins 23 times during the nearly four-decade stewardship of Kerkman.

Wheaton North, the No. 3 seed, had its season close at 20-6.

The Blackhawks will face seventh-seeded York in the second sectional semifinal at East Aurora on Wednesday.

Griffin completely altered the game in the second half as Wheaton North had few solutions for his 17 points and a game-high 17 rebounds.

"It's always good if you can get those second-chance points, especially if you can get fouled and the 'and-ones,'" Griffin said. "Everybody did their job passing the ball, pushing the ball. It makes it easier when you can get to the free-throw line."

"We couldn't keep Griffin off the boards," Wheaton North coach Dave Brackmann said.

Three of the five West Aurora starters scored in double figures as a balanced attack has always been a staple of the program.

Tommy Koth scored 10 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. On three separate occasions, Koth converted reverse layups off feeds from guard Marquis Howard.

The Blackhawks ended the game on a 20-9 run after Wheaton North closed to within 45-41 on two Luke Anthony free throws.

"At halftime we talked about our defensive sets," Koth said. "That's basically what won us the game."

"(Koth) is such a really good player," Brackmann said. "We knew he was going to be a tough kid to stop and we didn't do a very good job."

West Aurora point guard Matt Dunn scored 15 points. The senior had 7 of his points in the second quarter to help stake the Blackhawks to a 28-26 lead at halftime.

Nick Traversa tied Koth for game-scoring honors to lead Wheaton North with 20 points.

The Falcons took their final lead moments into the third quarter when Jake Heggeland and Anthony had back-to-back buckets to start the second half.

But West Aurora responded with the next 13 points in succession to take a 41-30 lead.

"We were giving up easy buckets at one end and struggling to score at the other end," Brackmann said. "Very disappointed with the loss, but this is the exact type of group I want Wheaton North basketball to be."

Heggeland finished with 11 points for Wheaton North.

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