By Patrick Mooney
ST. CHARLES - The Warriors woke up on Feb. 15 atop the UEC standings with an 8-0 record, needing a split of their final two games to earn a share of the title, or a sweep to win it outright.
They almost certainly didn't want to consider the third scenario, which unfolded on consecutive Friday nights. Elgin first submitted a blueprint on how to beat Waubonsie, and St. Charles East -- with its inside strength and shifting zone defenses -- drafted an entirely different one a week later.
The fallout from Friday night’s 74-72 loss at St. Charles East means rival Neuqua Valley alone celebrates an Upstate Eight Conference championship.
Waubonsie (20-6, 8-2) spotted the Saints a 15-point lead by the end of three quarters, and then started trapping and forcing turnovers to turn it into a one-possession game in the final two minutes. Waubonsie had several chances to regain the lead, but never could complete the comeback, in part because it missed eight free throws in the fourth quarter.
Just as he did after the Elgin loss, Waubonsie coach Steve Weemer described his team as "flat."
“If we’re gonna make a run in the postseason,” Weemer said, “we gotta play for 32 minutes, not for eight.”
The Warriors are seeded second in the East Aurora Sectional, and host their own regional, matching up against either Glenbard East or Glenbard North on Tuesday night. Look for an analysis in the Sunday edition. Until then: Will these final two games define Waubonsie's season? Or can they regroup and make a deep playoff run?
St. Charles East 74, Waubonsie Valley 72
WV 21 5 17 29 - 72
SCE 20 15 23 16 - 74
Waubonsie (20-6, 8-2)
VandenBerg 3 0-2 7, Peaster 8 4-7 24, Daniels 3 2-4 10, Johnson 7 2-2 17, Obendorf 3 2-3 8, Smith 2 2-3 6. Totals: 26 12-22 72.
St. Charles East (13-13, 6-4)
Suits 3 6-7 12, Senechalle 8 1-3 17, Stellato 0 2-2 2, Scott 2 1-3 7, Pryor 10 6-6 27, Lankton 2 4-8 9. Totals: 25 20-29 74.
3-pointers: Waubonsie 8 – Peaster 4, Daniels 2, VandenBerg, Johnson. St. Charles East 4 – Scott 2, Pryor, Lankton.
Rebounds: Waubonsie 25 (Obendorf 6), St. Charles East 23 (Senechalle 8).
Turnovers: Waubonsie 11, St. Charles East 14.
Total fouls: Waubonsie 24, St. Charles East 18.
Fouled out: Waubonsie – Johnson.
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