Wheaton Academy got its ninth win of the season and their second tournament title of the season Thursday afternoon, but the way they did it could've been better. Things just didn't seem to go their way, from not getting rebounds and missing layups, to getting calls against them at key times. Nevertheless, the Warriors fast breaked and moved the ball well enough to control the game.

Kaneland's variety of defense gave WA something to work around. "They were switching on us defensively, and that gave us some trouble," coach Matt Hockett said. Wheaton Academy outworked Kaneland, and shot pretty well. The sophomores earned an overall easy win against Kaneland, and head into an almost two-week break before their next game.

Joel Malmquist scored 20 points, shooting 4 of 6 from both the two-point range and the three-point range, while grabbing 8 boards, and assisting in three shots. Benjamin Euler shot 3 for 6 from the three point line, totalling 13 points. Matt Jones added 12 points and 5 assists, John Albaugh scored 10, and Justin Kosirog scored 2.


Current Record: 9-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 9 GAMES

It looked as if Wheaton Academy could possibly get the first loss of the season Wednesday night, in the second game of the Westmont Christmas Tournament against Lake Park. Lake Park forced WA into many turnovers early in the first quarter and continuing in the 2nd. The Warriors failed to get any kind of offensive rhythm, but their defensive intensity, and effective post-defense kept them in the game, just down 24-15 at the half.

The third quarter brought new energy for WA, scoring a combined 22 points in the quarter, and holding Lake Park to only 13. With Lake Park's decision to drop their zone, WA took advantage and ran their offense well enough to even the game out.

It was a new game going into the 4th, tied 37-37. Wheaton Academy jumped to a 9 point lead at one point thanks to three-point shots by Matt Jones, John Albaugh, and Benjamin Euler. WA's defense is what maintained their lead in the final minutes, and successful free throw shooting capped off the win.

John Albaugh contributed 7 for the Warriors. Alex Earl played a solid game, scoring 5 points, including a valuable three-point make, and drawing the foul after the shot which sparked a 6-point play.Matt Jones grabbed 4 boards, and added 6 points. Joel Malmquist, under the influence of a shaved head, shot 2-for-3 from behind the arc, and assisted in five shots. Benjamin Euler also added 25 points, shooting 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

Lake Park was perhaps one of the toughest, if not the toughest team WA has faced this season, and definately one of the best coached, but WA managed to put a run together in the third, and play high intensity defense.

Wheaton Academy improves to 8-0, and will face Kaneland High School for the Tournament championship tomorrow at 12:45 PM.

Current Record: 8-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 8 GAMES

At the end of the night, all Wheaton Academy cared about was that the scoreboard showed the 'guest' score was more than the 'home' score.The Warriors, in their away maroon uniforms, played poorly against Lisle in the first game of the Westmont Tournament. Lisle took control of the boards, getting many second chance points in the first half. WA was dependent heavily on the three point shot. Matt Jones (19 pts, 7 reb), led the team. John Albaugh (16 pts, 3 reb) hit a three point shot at the end of the second quarter, sending WA into halftime with a 33-27, 6 point lead.

WA continued to play poorly in the second half, throwing the ball away a considerable amount of times due to Lisle's pressure (11 turnovers for the game). Lisle took a lead, their first since the beginning of the game, at the start of the 4th quarter. The game went back-and-forth, and Lisle stretched their one-point lead to a three-point lead off of a lay up with less than 2:00 left. Benjamin Euler hit a three to tie the game after a couple of other attempts, and Lisle brought the ball up the court with less than :30 to go. WA fouled, and Lisle missed the first of a 1-and-1 free throw sequence. The Warriors got the rebound and called timeout with 4 seconds left. The inbound pass was made, then fumbled. Euler picked up the loose ball and tried to get a shot off, but a foul was called with no time remaining on Lisle. Euler hit the free throws to give Wheaton Academy the win.

Scorers for the Warriors included the unmatched consistency of John Albaugh, who shot 4-of-6 from the three point line, and totalled 16 points. Albaugh also served a valuable role as point guard, particularly when Alex Earl picked up his fifth foul in the final minutes. Joel Malmquist contributed 11 points, and Matt Jones had a season-high 19 points, making good on 4 three point field goals as well as grabbing a team-high 5 rebounds. Wheaton Academy will face Lisle again this season - February 8 at home (note schedule addition). Wheaton Academy advances to play Lake Park Wednesday at 2:45 PM.

Current Record: 7-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 7 GAMES

Wheaton Academy took it to Westminster Friday night, and never looked back. WA was the superior team physically and talent-wise, and the sophomores earned an easy PSL win. All eleven team members played tonight, which gave Ben Warner his first two points of the season, to go along with Sean Berbert's season-high 6 point performance. Joel Malmquist and Benjamin Euler both had 12 points, John Albaugh contributed 8, and Matt Jones added 7 points. Alex Earl dished out 7 assists in the win. The team looks forward to Monday, when they play in the Westmont Tournament against Lisle - the only team to beat them as freshmen last year.

Current Record: 6-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 6 GAMES

Facing probably one of their toughest opponents of the year, the sophomore team struggled to hit their shots in the first quarter, but made up for their lack of offense by good defense. Illiana was for the most part physically superior to WA in size, but consistent play kept the Warriors in line for the win. Joel Malmquist led the team with 18 points. The sophomores improve to 5-0.

Current Record: 5-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 5 GAMES

The sophomore team began their night with a string of three-pointers that quickly gave them an 11-2 lead. WA played hard and well, though they were temporarily taken out of their offense by defensive pressure from Chicago Christian, and even allowed the Knights only a four-point defacit in the 3rd quarter. Overall, Wheaton Academy shot extremely well; in particular John Albaugh and Joel Malmquist, who both sunk three 3-pointers, and totalled 15 and 16 points respectively. Their win tonight improves their record to 4-0, and have gotten past one of three tough PSL matchups they'll face this year.

Current Record: 4-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS
COMPLETE TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH 4 GAMES

As with any Wheaton Academy-St. Francis matchup, WA was prepared for a tough game. The two teams battled head-to-head in the first quarter, ending it a tied game, 14-14. The Warriors went on a run the 2nd, and closed out the quarter with a 30-27 lead. The third quarter was an offensive-eruption with three-point baskets from Joel Malmquist, Benjamin Euler, and John Albaugh. They took a large lead. They maintained this lead to the end of this close-fought game, and got the win. The WA Sophomore team placed 1st in the tournament. The team will have a week to rest; then they'll face Chicago Christian on Friday.

Current Record: 3-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS

The WA sophomores continued their style of play Friday night, an up-tempo, high-energy, pressured-defense type of play, and thorougly controlled the game. The Warriors' full court pressure forced St. Edwards into many turnovers which led to easy baskets for WA. Wheaton Academy led 40-20 at halftime, and stretched that lead to 33 with a final score of 61-28. The sophomore team plays tomorrow in the tournament championship game against rival St. Francis at 4:00 PM.

Current Record: 2-0

COMPLETE STATISTICS

The Sophomore team started their season Wednesday night in their first game of the Thanksgiving Wheaton Academy Invite against Aurora Christian. The Warriors came out with energy and intensity, taking a quick lead. Throughout the first half, Aurora Christian could not defend WA's offense, which led to many open layups. AC came out after halftime with extra energy, cutting the lead from 19 to 13 within the first two minutes. Wheaton Academy regained their composure and held a 13-17 point lead for the rest of the game. Joel Malmquist led the team with 20 points, Alex Earl dished out 8 assists, Matt Jones grabbed 7 rebounds while scoring 18 points, and Benjamin Euler scored 12 points with 4 assists.

COMPLETE STATISTICS