Warriors get win against top PSL-contender Walther
Wheaton Academy 69, Walther Lutheran 61

Game #14 • Friday, January 12, 2006 • Home • PSL • 7:30 PM
Daily Herald Article

The Warriors enjoyed their second home game in a row Friday night, while battling against a tough and athletic Walther Lutheran team who came into the game with a record of 6-6, and 2-1 in the PSL. Wheaton Academy was 2-0 in the league entering Friday's contest, so the stakes were set high in the LeTourneau Gymnasium (Aurora Christian is the other undefeated team currently, 3-0).

The Warriors jumped to an early 13-4 lead in the opening minutes, and played solid defense, minimizing Walther's deadly habit of scoring second chance points. Benjamin Euler played an aggressive inside game, scoring 8 points in the first quarter to contribute to the team's 17-9 lead. Offensively, Wheaton Academy was led by Euler, John Albaugh, and Matt Jones in the first half. Jones was reckless in his pursuit of rebounding, tallying a number of rebounds in the first half, as well as knocking down a couple of jump shots.

Wheaton Academy held a 31-19 advantage in the second quarter with 1:19 left to play. Eric Albaugh's drive and lay in increased the lead with under 50 seconds to go. At the half, WA led by 11 points, 35-24.

In the third quarter, the Broncos of Walther went on a run, taking advantage of a sequence of turnovers and rushed offense by the Warriors. In fact, Walther brought the game to within three points, 42-39 at one point, with 2:32 left in the third quarter. Joel Malmquist's three point play with 35 seconds left in the quarter began to extend the lead again. Malmquist finished the quarter by sneaking in for a lay up on an out of bounds play to give WA a 5 point lead entering the final period of play.

With 3:56 remaining in the ball game, Matt Jones connected with Euler, who drained a three pointer. The following possession, Walther's attempt to trap at mid court resulted in a wide open lay up for Tim Rusthoven, and the game started to look as if the Warriors would have the final decision on the game. Wheaton Academy had a six point, 61-55 lead with 1:19 left, and the victory was sealed as Walther had to foul--and WA hit their free throws.

Benjamin Euler led the team with 23 points, and Joel Malmquist tallied 19 points. Albaugh contributed 10, and Jones added 8. WA shot 45% from behind the arc (5/11), while only attempting 11 three pointers. The Warriors were 13/18 from the free throw line as a team, and for the third straight game, had a large number assists (20 total).

With Friday night's win, Wheaton Academy has recovered from starting out the season 0-5, to now being a .500 team (7-7), while maintaining their perfect record in the Private School League (3-0). This win also marks WA's fourth straight victory, the team's longest winning streak this season.

Tomorrow night, the Warriors will enter one of the season's most anticipated games, part of the first annual Wheaton Shootout hosted by Wheaton Warrenville South High School. The Warriors will face the Falcons of Wheaton North at 6:15 PM before leaving on Monday for Metroplis, Illinois and the Superman Classic Tournament all next week.

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