WA loses tough PSL Championship battle vs. Knights
Chicago Christian 58, Wheaton Academy 46

Game #24 • Friday, February 16, 2007 • Away • PSL Championship Game • 7:30 PM
Statistics

The Warriors traveled to Palos Heights Friday night with a perfect 5-0 record in the Private School League, to face the 6-1 in conference Knights of Chicago Christian. The game would determine the outright PSL champion.

In the competetive atmosphere that the Chicago Christian gymnasium provided, the Warriors played hard throughout the game. Overall the team had trouble scoring, as they totalled only 46 points on the game, low in relation to their game average of 61.

At the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard read 14-13 in favor of Chicago Christian. Wheaton Academy never would come back to take the lead after this point, though the game remained close. A string of turnovers coupled with taking rushed shots in response to CCHS's defensive pressure hurt the Warriors and gave the Knights the advantage. In addition, WA missed an unusual amount of layups and shots from short range which, if those would have gone in, potentially would have been the difference in the outcome of the game.

The most alarming and telling statistic was Chicago Christian's 42 attempted free throws compared to Wheaton Academy's 15. In fact, the Knights only converted on one field goal in the fourth quarter; the rest of their 15 fourth quarter points came exclusively from free throws. Despite things not going the Warriors' way, they battled remarkably well despite apparent inconsistencies in the officiating in this PSL championship game.

Benjamin Euler grabbed 7 rebounds and hit three 3's totalling a team-high 17 points, while John Albaugh went 4-for-4 from the free throw line and had 3 assists tallying 12 points. Malmquist added 6, and Jared Cochrum and Tim Rusthoven both contributed 4 points.

Wheaton Academy will finish out league play (and their regular-season schedule) with a long drive out to Illiana Christian on Tuesday night before facing Wheaton Warrenville South in the regional quarterfinals on February 26th at 7:30 PM hosted by Glenbard East High School.