Tom Welch, Naperville North, stop rival Naperville Central

Carter Crane editor of The Voice
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Rivalries in high school sports are a natural. Players often know each other and traditions certainly play a continuing part of the drama. Aurora Christian defeated Aurora Central Catholic, 60-41, in boys basketball Friday that will continue to build its rivalry because the teams are in the Metro Suburban Blue Conference. Other rivalry games last weekend included Neuqua Valley over District 204 rival Waubonsie Valley, 62-40, and Naperville North stopped Naperville Central, 51-40, the latter two in DuPage Valley Conference games. Hinsdale South defeated Hinsdale Central, 56-46, Friday. Rivalries on the horizon include Geneva at St. Charles East Friday and Downers Grove South at Downers Grove North Saturday. St. Charles North will play South Elgin at the Sears Centre Saturday, Dec. 15. Rivalries grow and wane when geography is not involved. The weekend after next it will be West Aurora at East Aurora and the two Oswego teams will mix it up.

Tom Welch, the 6-8 leader of Naperville North, who will play basketball for Loyola University next season, even though he was an all-State goalie for the Huskies’ successful teams the last three seasons.

Welch led North to its victory over Central in the five-team DuPage Valley Conference game. “Our strength this year is our team chemistry,” said first-year North coach Gene Nolan who spent 22 years coaching at Marist High School in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. “In our game against Naperville Central, I felt like we defended well, and took good, efficient shots. Naperville Central is a very good and we feel fortunate to have won.”

• The teachers’ strike at Geneva caused the postponement of the Geneva game against St. Charles North in the first-year DuKane Conference.

• Some pairings are out for Christmas holiday tournaments. West Aurora will play Oak Park-River Forest in the final game of day one at Pontiac Thursday, Dec. 27 where St. Charles North, Plainfield North, and Benet Academy will play. The East Aurora tournament has added Marmion Academy. Waubonsie Valley will be at Jacobs in a December 22 start.

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