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Batavia's focus now shifts to having a productive basketball season

Now that Thanksgiving holiday basketball tournaments are in the books, it's time to revisit some of the sights and sounds from last week's action.

Bedlam in Batavia

It was a memorable day to be a Batavia Bulldog athlete/fan last Saturday.

While the Bulldogs' football team captured the Class 7A state championship during an epic 21-14 overtime victory over Lake Zurich at Northern Illinois University's Huskie Stadium, Batavia's basketball team played for its own tournament title a few hours later.

Although the Bulldogs (3-1) came up just a little short during their 51-49 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South (4-0) in the final day of the 42nd annual Ken Peddy Windmill City Classic, nobody could fault the effort displayed by the 10 players in uniform for the tourney.

Senior guard Kyle LeFever and sophomore forward Jayden Johnson were named to the all-tournament team while senior guard Blake Carlson earned the Most Inspirational Player award.

Playing without 8 to 11 football players who figure to join the basketball team this week, the Bulldogs received solid contributions from 6-foot-7 senior forward Clayton Deutsch, 6-5 senior forward Seth Blaeser, 6-5 senior center Marko Yager and senior guard Travis Alwin.

"These 10 guys - they've fought their butts off for three weeks," said Bulldogs coach Jim Nazos. "I'm proud of all those guys in there (locker room)."

Against Wheaton Warrenville South, Batavia dug itself a huge hole, falling behind 16-0 before LeFever's 12-foot jumper broke the ice with 6:32 left in the second quarter.

The fact that Batavia cut the deficit to 2 on three separate occasions speaks volumes for the team's heart.

"Sometimes when you're playing a team like that (the Tigers), unless you feel it you don't know it," said Nazos, whose team opens UEC River action Friday night at Elgin. "That may have happened a little bit early. I think we lost our heads a little early - me, too.

"I think we'll rebound. We learned about a lot of these guys here. I think we're only going to get better as we go forward."

WW South served as a fitting opponent for the Bulldogs in a game that was pushed back to 9 p.m. due to the state football clash.

"We've gone through this so I told Jim (Nazos) and Dave (Batavia athletic director Andrews) that we'll do whatever," said Tigers coach Mike Healy.

Winners of 7 state football titles, the Tigers have played in 11 championship games since 1992.

Hard(y) to stop

St. Joseph thwarted St. Charles East's bid to repeat as champions of the Saints' 59th annual Ron Johnson Tournament with the Chargers' 62-60 title triumph last Saturday.

Despite the setback, the all-around play of senior 6-5 forward Justin Hardy stood out for the Saints (4-1).

Hardy, who finished with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists against St. Joseph, added 18 points and 19 rebounds in his team's 70-51 win over Downers Grove South and scored 30 points with 17 rebounds in the Saints' 83-56 victory over Plainfield East.

"We can usually count on Justin for 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds)," said Saints coach Patrick Woods. "You know it's going to get tougher as the year goes on but he has also developed his game in other aspects.

"He brought the ball up a lot and for a big - they can't guard him out there."

Hardy made a true believer of Downers Grove South coach Kris Olson.

"He's got such great body control and obviously the shooting ability makes it difficult (to guard him)," Olson said of Hardy. "He can stop on a dime. It's an extremely tough matchup and then you put all those shooters around him so if you help at all, with his passing ability he kicks it out.

"I'm glad that we only play him in this tournament. Good luck to the teams in their conference because I have no idea how to defend him with all those shooters."

A familiar foe - St. Charles North - will get the chance Friday night in the North Stars' gym.

The season is still young

"The good that comes from it is that it's really early in the season. We have time to figure it out."

STC East girls basketball coach Aubree Schuett after her team's 22 turnovers and 52-30 loss to WW South at the Schaumburg Thanksgiving Tournament.

"They've (the Tigers) played together for a long time. Many of our kids, including seniors, have never been in this position. From my perspective, I appreciate it though. If you go into a tournament with schools that you're bigger and stronger than, you don't learn these lessons. We'll get back after it and we'll figure it out - and we'll watch lots of film."

Congrats

Congratulations to basketball coaches Scott Hennig (Geneva), Tony Young (Marmion), Jeff Boldog (Harvest Christian) and Schuett on their first wins last week at their respective schools.

Craig Brueske can be reached at csb4k@hotmail.com

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