The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) postseason play has started, which will include building to Original March Madness.
• Class 1A (of three classes) wrestling started last weekend; 2018 1A dual meet State champion, Aurora Christian, qualified for an upcoming sectional tournament by qualifying in 12 of 14 bouts.
• Girls bowling regional tournament champions included Downers Grove South, Lockport, Minooka, Willowbrook. Minooka picked up the highest pin total with 1415 and will be host to a sectional tournament.
• Other sports are left to settle conference championships and maintain rivalry competition.
• West Aurora High School swept its two basketball games this season with rival East Aurora in Friday’s 73-55 victory at West High. East High took the early lead, but West Aurora, 20-4, led at halftime, 39-23.
West Aurora’s depth was a telling factor with many players making contributions.
“Our depth has been a huge part of our success during the second half of the season,” West Aurora head coach Brian Johnson said. “Long Mont, Axel Motola, Dimitrios Bazos, and Nick Williams have owned and strived in their roles.” Three are juniors and Williams is a senior. Junior guard Kelvin Balfour led West Aurora in scoring with 15 points. Seniors Traevon Brown and Marquise Walker each scored 13 points. Senior Hezzy Salter added 11 points. Johnson was a little more concerned about the team’s defense. “We need to continue to become better on the defensive end, both individually and as a team. In order to be successful, the ball needs to move offensively. We cannot rely on one person.”
East Aurora was led in scoring by senior Jules Williamson with 18 points and Joshua Pryor with 15 points. Williamson passed 1,000 career points at East Aurora.
• An interesting non-conference boys basketball game at 7 p.m. Saturday will be Oswego East, 18-6, at Waubonsie Valley, 20-3; postseason seeds at stake.
• Rivalries Friday include: Batavia at Geneva, 23-1; St. Charles North at St. Charles East; Wheaton North at Wheaton Warrenville South.