12/31/04

Oswego 63, Wheaton Academy 57: Wheaton Academy coach Andy Euler remembers some of the great Warriors basketball teams from the past, and they all had one thing in common.

"We've talked about that with great teams, the little things make a big difference," Euler said after Wheaton Academy lost its final game at the East Aurora Holiday Tournament to Oswego.

"We missed a lot of free throws and some open layups. And we had some really good looks at the end that we didn't hit," said Euler, referring to the Warriors' cold touch after coming within 56-54 with 1:03 remaining.

The Panthers' lead had been 56-48 before John Tillery and Axel Cerny hit consecutive 3-pointers.

Wheaton Academy (3-9) converted 9 treys to none for Oswego (6-6), as Tillery led the team with 13 points. Oswego hit back with a 34-20 margin on the boards.

The Panthers used a 19-8 second-quarter run to take a 30-22 edge into halftime. The lead stretched to as much as 48-37 early in the fourth quarter before the Warriors put together a quick 7-0 string to cut it to 48-44.

Tillery led 3 Warriors in double figures, as Cerny and Jason VanderVeen each chipped in 10 points. Center Kyle Santa was Oswego's leader with 13 points, and forward Torrien Minor had 9 points and 9 rebounds.

The Warriors get a week off before resuming Private School League play at Timothy Christian next Friday.