Schweiger's 27 points powers Waubonsie Valley in win over South Elgin

They say it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game.

In this case, it's also whether you play the game in the first place.

The Waubonsie Valley and South Elgin boys basketball teams officially began their seasons Saturday afternoon, a contest the host Warriors won 64-44.

But to hear Waubonsie senior guard Ben Schweiger tell it, well, he was just glad to be playing at all. He made the most of his opportunity, leading all scorers with 27 points. He added 5 rebounds and a big block at the tail-end of an 18-4 second-quarter run that salted away the game for the Warriors.

"We're really trying to make the most of it now that we're back," Schweiger said. "Nothing's guaranteed. Tomorrow, it could be over. You just have to keep working day in and day out and give it all you have."

Warriors' senior guard Isaiah Smith, said it was definitely a long offseason.

"A lot of gyms were closing down, I wasn't able to really go out, but I had to get my shots up somehow," Smith said. "I had to find gyms, play outside, things like that."

Make no mistake, this game was a far cry from "normal." Everyone - players, coaches and referees - wore masks. With no fans, it was eerily quiet, the only cheering coming from the bleachers, where players were socially distanced and sat on taped Xs. There were mask breaks with under 5 minutes to go in each quarter.

So what was it like playing with a mask?

"It was definitely weird with a mask, and certain regulations, but it's an adjustment and we got pretty used to it over the past week we've been able to practice," said South Elgin senior John Aaron Wafford, who scored 13 points.

Wafford's junior teammate Drew Cwik, who led the Storm with 14 points, added: "It's definitely different with these masks and everything, mask timeouts and everything like that, but I'm just grateful and lucky to be back on the court."

"I'm really grateful that we got a chance to play, and we don't take anything for granted," Waubonsie Valley coach Jason Mead said. "Our contact days in the fall got cut down by a day when the governor basically shut everything down, and ever since then, we kind of realized every day is not guaranteed for us."

Across the floor, Mead's counterpart Brett Johnson wholeheartedly agreed.

"I'm so proud of both teams being able to get together and play a game and have fun today," Johnson said. "You never know what could happen. This could be the only game we play all season now. Take it and cherish it."