Fortunately, A-Town did not get shut out this year. I was worried. I didn't think any of the Aurora schools would make it to sectionals. Well, East Aurora did it, pulling off a 76-68 (in OT) upset of Neuqua Valley in the Class 4A Plainfield East Regional championship Friday night.

Earlier this evening, I was talking with my colleague Jim Owczarski, and we agreed that East star Ryan Boatright would probably need to score 40-50 points for the Tomcats to have a chance. Consider it done. Boatright scores 45, including 21 in the fourth quarter, and East High advances.

Aurora schools are now 3-0 against Naperville schools this postseason. That's more like it.

Next up for the Tomcats, a sectional semifinal game against Benet Academy. That game will be Wednesday at 7:30 over at Neuqua Valley.

My West Aurora Blackhawks *almost* pulled one off, too. Oswego East wins 66-62 in overtime behind 39 points from Jay Harris. West coach Gordie Kerkman tried the old triangle-and-two defense tonight, and it damn near worked. The Blackhawks had a seven-point lead in the second half. Just couldn't close against the more talented Wolves.

Oswego East is in the opposite half of the bracket from East Aurora at the Neuqua Valley Sectional. The Wolves play Tuesday night against top-seeded Glenbard East.

In other action Friday, Oswego beat Aurora Central 59-46. DeKalb beat Kaneland 50-47, and Newark beat Dwight 60-51.