Weber's big night leads Marmion past Aurora Christian
Hunter Weber enjoyed a weekend to remember.
One night after rewriting the 3-point record book at Marmion, Weber poured in a game-high 22 points during the Cadets' 79-70 nonconference boys basketball victory over Aurora Christian (18-5) in Saturday's Sixth Annual Ernie Kivisto Shootout at East Aurora.
Weber, a 5-foot-10 senior guard, connected on four of his six 3-pointers during a frenetic first quarter that saw the Cadets (10-13) grab a 27-24 lead despite three NBA-range 3-pointers from Eagles senior R.D. Lutze.
"It kind of felt like a one-on-one," said Weber. "He (Lutze) can knock down anything - even with someone in his face - and I was knocking down open shots. It was very competitive to start."
"They got the Weber kid off in the first half," admitted Eagles coach Pat McNamara, whose team had its 8-game winning streak snapped. "He had four 3s in the first quarter. I don't know what happened to our coverage."
Aurora Christian, which shot 50 percent from the field (16 of 32) in the first half, held a slim 40-39 lead at the intermission.
At that point, Cadets coach Joe Currie knew what the topic of conversation would center on in the locker room.
"We talked at halftime that the only way we were going to take care of this was to play better defense," said Currie. "We were going to have to defend people."
Trailing 50-46 midway through the third quarter, the Cadets seized control by outscoring the Eagles 14-3 over the final 4:45 of the period to take a 60-53 advantage.
Senior forward Matt Fletcher (14 points, 8 rebounds) and Weber each scored 5 points during the late third-quarter surge.
"We took better shots," said Weber. "We played the high-low game and got it inside to our bigs because they were extending (the defense)."
Fletcher and bruising 6-8, 245-pound sophomore center Mick Sullivan (8 points, 6 rebounds) combined for 17 second-half points.
"They really came on for us in the second half," said Currie.
"They've got some good size and they've got shooters," McNamara said of the Cadets. "It's hard for us to match up down there. Size inside and shooters outside - it's a tough combination."
Jon Young added 15 points for the Cadets, who ended their 5-game losing skid.
"It was actually very fun to get back (against Aurora Christian) and get this W," said Weber, who surpassed former Cadets standout Andy Madden for school single-season (67) and career (127) 3-point baskets during Friday night's 61-44 loss to Loyola.
"We needed a win."
Sophomore Jake Wolfe came off the bench to score a team-high 20 points for Aurora Christian.
"Jake was sick all week and out of school the last three days," said McNamara. "That's why he didn't play in the first quarter."