Yorkville runs past West Aurora
Basketball is often called a game of runs and Yorkville had a great response to a big one from West Aurora, while the Blackhawks could not do the same during Tuesday's Southwest Prairie Conference opener for both squads in Yorkville.
The Foxes did not surrender back-to-back baskets in the second half, running past the Blackhawks, 55-43.
"I thought our energy was outstanding in the second half," Foxes coach Mike Dunn said. "We were right there, and I think the biggest thing was saying we belong playing these types of schools and it's all about a mentality. Our kids believed it from the tip and in practice (on Monday). We got a great group, a close-knit group, that believes in each other and that's what it's all about."
Yorkville (3-2, 1-0) fell behind 7-0 but used a 15-0 run to take a 20-14 lead with 5:23 left in the first half.
West Aurora (1-4, 0-1) finished the half on a 13-0 run, receiving a couple of big three-pointers from Christian Nieves (game-high 18 points) to take a 30-25 lead at the break.
"We were getting stops and getting out and running," Blackhawks coach Brian Johnson said. "When we don't get stops and the game slows down and we can't get out and run, then we have a difficult time scoring. A lot of our stuff was creating from our defense."
The Blackhawks opened the second half with a layup from Paul Shavers, but they struggled to score while the Foxes kept fighting. It would pay off when a three-pointer from Zak Konecny (12 points) with 2:12 left in the quarter gave them the lead for good at 37-36.
The Foxes closed the third quarter on an 18-6 run, which was highlighted by two late three-pointers from Jack Fisher, including a buzzer beater that made it 43-38.
"Coach talked about weathering the storm and we needed a spark and he put me in," Fisher said. "My teammates set me up perfectly and the rest is history, I guess. We like to find the one more (pass) and get everyone involved rather than being selfish. It's a big jump from last year and we've kind of just figured that out and it's paying off."
The Blackhawks just didn't have a response.
"These boys want to do well and they come to practice and grind every day like every other team in the state," Johnson said. "Sometimes we're not making the right decisions on offense and defensively we weren't containing the basketball."
They had an incredibly difficult time trying to stop Yorkville point guard Jack Marker, who scored 10 points.
"He was outstanding," Johnson said. "He just got to the rim a lot and we weren't keeping him out of the paint."
While Josh Beetham (six points, two blocks) played well off the bench, Marker's the team's QB on the hardwood.
"He's the guy that runs our stuff and makes plays for us," Dunn said. "He's one of the most improved players in the area, no doubt about it, from where he was two years ago to where he is now. He's a kid that is a gym rat that has put more work into his game in getting better and become a really great leader."
Scoring the first 10 points of the fourth quarter, the Foxes extended their lead to double digits on a pair of baskets from Marker.
West Aurora was held scoreless in the final quarter until Nieves drilled a three-pointer with 17 seconds left.
Kelvin Balfour added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Blackhawks. Cole Yearsley had 10 points for the Foxes.
In the battle of benches, Yorkville outscored West Aurora, 24-0.