In their last game of the season, the sophomore team defeated Aurora Christian 66-52. Wheaton Academy did not have their instant offensive start as is their custom, and struggled to just a 13-4 first quarter lead.

The Warriors continued to play solid basketball, but Aurora Christian was persistant in staying with them. Though WA outscored the Eagles 17-9 in the second period, the Warriors saw room for improvement defensively.

Wheaton Academy led 49-30 at the end of the third quarter. Aurora Christian started to make a run, and even got within 12 points at one point, but the Warriors managed to keep the lead for the victory.

John Albaugh shot 3 for 6 (50%) from behind the arc, grabbed 5 rebounds and finished with 15 points in his final appearance on the sophomore team. Matt Jones shot 100% from the field (6-6), grabbed 7 rebounds and totalled 12 points in tonight's win. Alex Earl, returning from sickness, who did not start, tallied 5 points, and had a team-high 8 rebounds. Benjamin Euler led the team with 29 points, shooting 5-for-9 (55%) from three point range, and added 6 rebounds.

The sophomore team completes their season with a 19-3 overall record, and an outright 9-0 Private School League championship. Wheaton Academy ends the season with two tournament championships, both the WA Thanksgiving Invite, and the Westmont Christmas Tournament. Check back right here in the next week for a complete season recap.

Current Record: 19-3

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

Wheaton Academy recovered well off of an ugly Montini loss, with a 58-31 victory Monday night in St. Charles. [Boxscore] The Warriors took control early, and never gave St. Charles East an opportunity to get back into the game. The sophomores fast breaked the Saints to a 23-06 first quarter lead. As a team, they matched their game-high 21 steals (11/26 vs. St. Edward), by anticipating on-coming passes and playing good help-side defense.

David Tristano, Ben Warner, and Ryan Cislo all came off the bench in the second quarter. Though scoring only 4 points in the quarter, WA still held a 27-15 lead at the half.

The third quarter was similar to the beginning of the game: Wheaton Academy got the steals, the rebounds, and ran. The Warriors outscored SCE 18-5 in the third quarter. Ryan Cislo shot 3 for 6 from the field (50%), scoring on two drives to the basket. Kosirog added a bucket for the Warriors included his first charge taken of the season.

Matt Jones (4 rebounds, 3 steals), and Joel Malmquist (5 rebounds, 5 steals) both scored 8 points in this evenly distributed scoring game. Ryan Cislo (2 rebounds) and David Tristano (2 rebounds), added 6 points - a season high for Tristano, who knocked down a three with ease in the fourth quarter to contribute to his season-high night. All 10 players for Wheaton Academy scored in this game. John Albaugh (5 rebounds, 3 steals) and Benjamin Euler (7 rebounds, 2 assists) led the team with 10 points each.

Wheaton Academy improves to 18-3 on the season. The final game of the season comes this Friday at home against Aurora Christian at 6:00 PM. [Schedule/Results]

Current Record: 18-3

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

The sophomore team, after playing perhaps one of their best games Tuesday in a 64-42 win over Lisle, played their worst game of the season in a 43-42 loss to Montini.

Wheaton Academy could not get anything going offensively, scoring only 21 first half points, what the team usually averages in the first quarter of a game alone. Montini played WA evenly, and even managed a 24-21 lead at haltime.

The third quarter brought no improvements for the Warriors. WA's poor offense dictated what they did on defense, allowing penetration and layups. The Warriors trailed 33-29 going into the 4th quarter. A three-point basket cut Montini's lead to 33-32 with under 5:00 to play. A Joel Malmquist three (his first of the game), brought WA within two, and yet another from Malmquist gave WA a one-point, 42-41 lead with 1:30 to play in regulation. After a steal on the other end, a foul sent Alex Earl to the line for a 1-and-1. Montini got the missed free throw, but WA retained possession again, and Montini immediately fouled. Matt Jones missed the first free throw, and Montini had possession with less than a minute to go, and Wheaton Academy had a 42-41 lead.

Montini stalled, then finally called a timeout with 1.7 seconds on the clock. Montini inbounded to a last resort center who got a shot off just in time to beat the clock with a hand in his face. Wheaton Academy gets its 3rd loss of the season, and has two remaining games - Monday at St. Charles East, and next Friday at home vs. Aurora Christian.

The Warriors got to the free throw line only 13 times (8/13 - 62%), and hit just 4 of their 16 three-point attempts (25%).

Current Record: 17-3

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

Wheaton Academy met Lisle for the second time this season Tuesday night at the Warrior Dome. The first meeting, in the Westmont Christmas Tournament gave WA a slim 60-57 win. Lisle came out with aggressive intent to not repeat what happened on December 20th.

Unfortunately for Lisle, the Warriors' team defense stopped offensive success for the visiting team. Wheaton Academy didn't come out very strong offensively in the first quarter, but managed a 16-10 lead.

John Albaugh sent the sophomores into the locker room, knocking down three free throws after being fouled on a three point attempt, with a 34-22, twelve point lead.

Lisle responded in the third quarter by hitting a three-pointer on their first possession, and rallying to within 12 before the end of the third quarter, in which WA edged Lisle 48-35. Wheaton Academy exploded offensively in the late third and into the fourth quarters, behind Joel Malmquist (14 pts), John Albaugh (12 pts), Matt Jones (12 pts), and Benjamin Euler (16 pts).

Wheaton Academy stretched their lead to 20 points with 4:00 remaining in the game, and from there the Warriors coasted to a 64-42 home-court victory. The team improves to 17-2 on the season.


Current Record: 17-2

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

Wheaton Academy's team defense is what beat Luther North Friday night at the Warrior Dome. WA paralyzed Luther's offensive success with wing denial, and help-side defense. The sophomore team's offense certainly wasn't in short supply either, scoring 22 points in the first quarter alone en route to a thirty-one point victory.

Joel Malmquist and Matt Jones both had 13 points, followed by John Albaugh (2-3 3 pt), and Alex Earl with 10, while shooting 6-for-6 from the free throw line. David Tristano scored his first two points of the season off a back court steal and drive for the layup. Sean Berbert played quality minutes, while grabbing a team-high 6 rebounds.

The Warriors improve to 16 win and 2 losses, and will face Lisle for the second time this season Tuesday night at home. Wheaton Academy defeated Lisle earlier in the Westmont Christmas Tournament by just three points.


Current Record: 16-2

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

Wheaton Academy controlled this game in its entirety Friday night at Luther South in the PSL matchup. WA executed well offensively in the first half and led the whole game. The Warriors struggled with stopping Luther's penetration, and the Braves came within 8 at one point in the fourth quarter, but they never got any closer than that.

Matt Jones, playing in just his second game since his winterim trip scored 18 points. Benjamin Euler had 13 points, followed by Joel Malmquist with 12, and John Albaugh with 8. The team looks forward to a three-game home stretch, a game at St. Charles East, and then again at home to close off the season in these next few weeks. [Remaining Schedule]


Current Record: 15-2

Boxscore | Team Stats | Season Summary

The sophomore team failed to stop St. Francis' penetration and aggressiveness Tuesday night. Shaken up by a three quarter court press, WA maintained a tight lead throughout the first quarter. The game remained close, 26-23 at halftime in favor of the Warriors.

St. Francis took its first lead in the third quarter, ended the period with a 39-36 advantage. Joel Malmquist caught fire in the fourth quarter to keep WA in the game, adding to his 6 three pointers for the game, but that wasn't enough. The next game up for Wheaton Academy will be a PSL Friday night game at Luther South High School.


Current Record: 14-2

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

Two words describe Wheaton Academy's Monday night performance at St. Charles East: fast break. The sophomore team started off to a season high 30 points in one quarter alone, but lacked defensive awareness, allowing the opposition to score 19 in the first quarter.

Wheaton Academy led 49-33 at the half, shooting 64.1% from the field, and 61.5% from three point range. WA minimized their turnovers, and got to the free throw line 11 times.

The Warriors finished off the Saints with a 29-point third quarter, ending the period with a 34 point lead. Players off the bench played much of the fourth quarter. Ben Warner knocked down a 17 foot-jumper from the left elbow to bring WA to the 80 point mark with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. Wheaton did not score again, as they came away with the victory.

John Albaugh shot 7-for-10 (70%) and finished with 15 points for Wheaton Academy. Joel Malmquist grabbed a team-high 6 boards, and shot 2-for-2 from the three point range totalling his fourth 20+ game of the season with 21 points. Benjamin Euler shot 83.3% from downtown (5-for-6), and finished with 24 points. Alex Earl had season highs in both the steal and assist categories, with 10 assists, and 11 steals. Wheaton Academy improves to 14-1 on the season, and is set to face a tough St. Francis team tomorrow at the Spyglass center in Wheaton with the tip-off at 6:00 PM. WA defeated the Spartans earlier this season in the Thanksgiving tournament title game 69-59.


Current Record: 14-1

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

The Warriors walked into a newly constructed gymnasium/arena Tuesday night at Oswego East - a school in it's first year of existance after branching off of Oswego High School. WA got off to a respectable start; though not shooting well. Oswego East finished well around the basket and hit their free throws. Wheaton Academy fought back from an 11 point defacit to being down just 8 at halftime, 26-18.

Players off the bench like Ryan Cislo (2 pts, 2 assists) and Sean Berbert provided an extra touch to the game that turned out to be a necessity. WA executed their offense well; and capitalized on set plays. They took a lead in the third quarter.

The Warriors had a 6 point advantage at one point in the final quarter, but gave it up as the Oswego Wolves came back to tie it up. With two minutes left it remained a tie game. After a few possession changes; Oswego called a timout with 1:01 on the clock, hoping for one last shot. Off the inbounds pass, the ball was stolen by Sean Berbert and Wheaton Academy retained possession with 57 seconds to go. With less than thirty seconds to go, an Oswegho defender picked off a Benjamin Euler (16 pts, 4 reb) bounce pass, and advanced the ball ahead to a teammate who was fouled on his layup attempt.

This particular shooter, #33, had made all of his free throws previously in this game, and was almost a sure bet for Oswego. He missed the first long off the rim, and did the same with the second. Joel Malmquist (14 pts, 8 reb) rebounded the ball with 21.5 seconds left in the game, and gave it to Alex Earl (7 assists) to set up a final play.

John Albaugh (14 pts, 4 assists) came off of a Joel Malmquist hand-off, took one dribble, squared up, and hit the 16-footer to give Wheaton Academy a 48-46 lead with 5.5 seconds on the clock. Oswego got a shot off - but were unsuccessful in their attempt giving the sophomores they 13th win of the season. Their next game is a 9:00 am game at Montini this Saturday.


Current Record: 13-1

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

The Warriors' fast break/run n' gun style of play was haulted Saturday night by Walther's physical play. WA struggled to get a steady game tempo both offensively and defensively. Wheaton Academy always had the lead, but allowed Walther to make a run at the end of the 2nd quarter to give WA just a 26-20 lead at the half.

From here the Warriors kept playing solid basketball, and contained Walther Lutheran. The final score was 54-34.

Joel Malmquist led the team with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Benjamin Euler contributed 12 points, shooting 2-for-3 from three point range, and John Albaugh and Alex Earl added 7 and 8 points respectively.

The sophomore team improves to 12-1 on the season and play Oswego East next Tuesday. WA got an important PSL win tonight at home.


Current Record: 12-1

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

Down seven points at the half, the sophomore team didn't want another loss, as they came into this game after last Saturday's encounter with Westminster. Wheaton Academy's defense didn't match their good shooting in the first half, as they allowed many open shots (three's).

Switching from zone to man-to-man in the third quarter, WA cut down Rockford's shot selection. WA still only had a two point lead in the middle of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter guaranteed the success for the Warriors, as they took a 51-39 lead, and finished the game out on top. Alex Earl (4 assists) and John Albaugh (7 assists) both had 8 points, Joel Malmquist tallied 16, and Benjamin Euler added a season high 28 points. The team prepares for tomorrow's matchup at home against Walther Lutheran at 6:00 PM.


Current Record: 11-1

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

Wheaton Academy earned its first loss of the season to Westminster Christian Academy from Missouri. Not knowing anything about the team before game time, WA quickly learned of their physicality and size. Westminster seemingly scored at will in the post during the first quarter. WA struggled to get good shots and were in a 16-7 hole after the quarter.

WA played hard and well in the second quarter, bringing the lead down to seven points. Wheaton Academy battled back hard in the third quarter, getting some offensive movement and playing smarter defensively.

The fourth quarter presented ample opportunities for a comeback victory. Down just two points with 2:16 remaining, after back-to-back-to-back three pointers from John Albaugh, Joel Malmquist, and Alex Earl, WA missed a three point shot that would have given them the lead, something they hadn't had since the first two points. From there the Warriors never came back.

"Even though we were shorthanded (only 8 guys), we fought back and battled well," Coach Hockett commented on the game. The loss comes as the first of the season for the sophomore team, leaving them with a 10-1 record going into the second stretch of the season.


Current Record: 10-1

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS FOR THE SEASON

Wheaton Academy entered Friday night's game with just eight players. With three players: Matt Jones, David Tristano, and Justin Kosirog missing (away at Winterim mission trips), the Warriors struggled in the first half. Taken by surprise at Timothy's shooting ability, the two teams stayed dead-even for the majority of the first half. The Warriors did gain a five point lead going into the half though.

WA started the third quarter with a run that secured the victory. Playing against a zone defense, Coach Hockett's squad started to hit their shots which gave them a lead to settle down and take some time off the clock. Wheaton Academy got the win, and improves to 10-0 on the season, and will face Westminster Christian Academy from Missouri tomorrow at home at a tip-off time of 1:00 PM.

Alex Earl scored a career high 16 points, and added 8 assists.


Current Record: 10-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS