By Bobby Narang
Seventeen games into the season, the Waubonsie Valley High School boys basketball is one of the last remaining undefeated teams in Chicagoland.
Yet, the Warriors are still searching for respect, mainly due to a schedule deemed soft by many media members and Associated Press voters.
The Warriors made some headlines with a headline victory on Saturday, Jan. 13 by knocking off highly-ranked Normal Community, 40-38, in the Wheaton Warrenville South MLK Tournament.
Waubonsie Valley junior point guard Tyreek Coleman, who scored 12 points, including the decisive basket on a lay-in with 38 seconds left in regulation, said his team members played with chips on their shoulders against the Ironmen.
“It was a high-stakes game,” Coleman said. “We were wondering if we could get it done, or we could continue the streak against a tough team. They talk about the strength of schedule…I knew we would get it done. We’ve fought through adversity this year.”
Waubonsie Valley head coach Andrew Schweitzer said his players battled a big height disadvantage and an early deficit to gain a signature victory.
“We battled hard, and the sky is the limit,” Schweitzer said. “(Matt and Cade) battled. I told them it was going to be their toughest night of the year. They fought for positioning and we tracked the ball when we needed to. It was a complete team effort…I think Tyreek Coleman had a special game. He really stole the show at moments out there and had clutch baskets. I’m proud of him and the kids.”
Normal, which beat Kenwood last weekend, entered the week ranked third in the Class 4A poll, but couldn’t win its third game in 24 hours.
Waubonsie Valley’s Matt Sessom and Cade Valek played tough inside against Normal’s talented frontcourt, helping contain 6-foot-8 Noah Cleveland (13 points, 9 rebounds) and Wright State recruit, 6-10 Jaheem Webber (2 points, 5 rebounds).
“It was tiring,” Sessom said. “I had to work very hard. They were like 6-10 and 6-8, so I played with a bunch of heart. We really wanted to win this game. We all played with our hearts. We have a chip. We really want to take it downstate this year.”
Benet retires Doyle’s number
Kathleen Doyle helped lead Benet Academy to back-to-back Class 4A State championships in her final seasons. The 2016 Benet graduate had her jersey retired in a stirring ceremony Saturday, Jan. 13. Her No. 11 jersey was retired during halftime against St. Viator. The 2016 Illinois Ms Basketball award-winner went on to star at University of Iowa, where she was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in her senior season.
The Indiana Fever selected Doyle with the 14th pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft. She played one season with the Fever and two seasons in Poland and Turkey before retiring.