Improving Wheaton Academy knocks off Fenton
The progress has been impressive, and Wheaton Academy coach David Osborn is looking forward to witnessing continued growth from his young boys basketball team.
After dropping their first three games of the year, the Warriors picked up a win in the finale of their Thanksgiving tourney earlier this week. They then made it two straight wins by taking Friday's Metro Suburban Conference opener against Fenton 53-42. Wheaton Academy used some tough defense and timely outside shooting to take a 30-16 lead at the half, and then survived a push by the Bison in the second half before prevailing.
"We've got a team that's getting some experience and they'll continue to grow," Osborn said. "They work hard every day and they're a fun group to coach."
Guards William Fan and J.D. Gunn sparked a strong defensive effort that limited Fenton (1-5, 0-1) to just 4 field goals in the first half, while Jimmy Paganis and Jameson Teuscher each connected on a pair of 3-pointers as the home team led 16-9 after one quarter and took that 14-point lead at the half.
"We're a really good shooting team and that's what we got right now," said Paganis, a sophomore who led the way with a season-best 22 points in West Chicago. "We've got to play to our strengths. It was a great win today."
But Paganis was also quick to credit the team's defense. "Coach emphasized that (defense) a lot today and during our walk through," he said. "And our point guard, William Fan, really stepped it up and got the whole team to do it, so a lot of credit to Fan."
Fenton wouldn't go away, however, and closed to within 39-34 in the fourth quarter following a pair of free throws by Javier Sanchez, who led the Bison with 13 points. The run had the visitors looking good, but Wheaton Academy countered with another big shot from Teuscher.
Teuscher, who finished with 11 points and 2 steals, knocked down a 3 for a 42-34 lead with less than four minutes to play and the Bison would get no closer than within seven points the rest of the way.
"Jameson's a great shooter. He was a great shooter last year," the Wheaton Academy coach said. "He got a good look there and we've got confidence in him that he can knock that down.
"He also had a really big hustle play getting a deflection and diving on the floor."
Paganis made six straight free throws in the fourth quarter to help close out the win, and Stephen Garrison chipped in well with 7 points and 9 rebounds for the Warriors.
Bison coach Chaz Taft credited the Warriors' first-half defense with being a key, but also liked his team's resiliency in the second half.
"Their pressure kind of rattled us in the first half and then we adapted in the second half and we got after them a little," Taft said. "They're a very talented team. They're a young and talented team. But our guys, the whole second half they battled. I really like this group. Our guys are playing hard. They're buying into the system offensively and defensively."
Bryan Larsen added 9 points and 3 steals, and Nick Schaub 7 points and 6 rebounds for Fenton.