Friday's article

Wheaton Academy 69, Walther Lutheran 61

One of the keys to success for any team is to play consistently well from start to finish. That proved to be the difference for the Wheaton Academy boys basketball team.

After seven minutes of play, the Warriors had raced off to a 17-4 lead against Walther Lutheran and stayed on top the rest of the way. The Warriors won the game and remained undefeated in three Private School League games.

“We just lacked intensity in the beginning,” said Broncos coach Bob Koehne. “When you have to dig out of a 13-point deficit early, it’s tough to do against a good team.”

The Warriors, traditionally known for outside shooting, frequently converted from close range. They scored 27 of their 35 first-half points from short to mid-range and from the foul line.

“We’re trying to discipline our offense,” said Wheaton Academy coach Paul Ferguson. “When we started running it through, we got buckets inside.”

The Broncos made a number of runs in the second half. Led by point guard Jeremy James’ speed and quickness as well as 6-foot-7 senior center Fred Rose, Walther got as close as 47-44 late in the third quarter.

The resilient Warriors (7-7) kept responding with big scores.

The Broncos got within 54-50 with 3:30 left. But Joel Malmquist converted a layup, and following a Rose free throw, Ben Euler swished a 3-pointer. Walther inbounded the ball, promptly turned it over, and Tim Rusthoven’s layup extended the Warriors’ lead to 59-51.

Ferguson was pleased with his team’s early energy as well as his bench, especially the big men.
“Paul Werkema, Jared Cochrum and Mike Lindstedt were key for us because they battled Rose and really made him work for things,” Ferguson said.

Euler scored a game-high 23 and Malmquist scored 10 of his 21 points in the third quarter. Matt Jones grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 8 points.

The Warriors, winners of four straight, compete today in the Wheaton Shootout against Wheaton North. Ferguson said the little things will go a long way in deciding that game.

“We have to box out, take care of the ball, make the extra pass, and we have to be the scrappier team,” Ferguson said.

James finished with 19 points for the Broncos (6-7, 2-2) and Rose grabbed 11 rebounds and scored 16 points.