With a fired-up crowd, the sounds of cheers mixed with the pounding of a dribbling ball, the Wildcats went head-to-head with the Warriors but fell short of the win on December 3.
Although the Wildcats did not achieve victory, they showed promise for the season to come. With strong performances from multiple players in the starting five, and from those coming off the bench, the team looks to have a strong-willed and dedicated roster. There will be adversity, as there is in all sports and with every team, but how the Wildcats deal with those challenges will be seen deeper into the season.
After tip-off, the Wildcats came out strong as junior Tristan McWilliams stretched to score the first two points of the game, giving WEGO the early 2-0 lead. They would need to come out as strong as possible, as Wheaton Academy was 3-0 so far and had scored a minimum of 60 points in all three previous games.
The Warriors showed why they were 3-0 with 8 unanswered points, but the determined Wildcats clawed their way back to end the quarter in a nail-biting 13-10 game with the Warriors on top.
Coach Roy Ramos talks to the team during a timeout, allowing the players to rest for a moment before heading back onto the court. Many players had played nearly the whole game, but not once did anyone show a lack of effort.
“Playing against strong competition this past week gave us the opportunity to see where we are at as a group and identify areas of improvement both individually and collectively,” Ramos said.
As the second quarter begins, the scoring is back and forth, with Wheaton Academy outscoring West Chicago by three, leaving the exciting first half at a score of 26-20, with the Wildcats trailing by six.
“It was a fun first half; we were playing with a lot of intensity, and we were playing together, which is what helped keep us in the game,” senior Joe Trigueros said.
This West Chicago team may be young, but it is full of talent. Out of the starting five for the Wheaton Academy game, only two players were seniors. The other three players consisted of Tristan McWilliams and Oliver Munoz, two of many juniors on the team. The fifth starter is the youngest player on the Varsity roster, sophomore Marcus Brewell.
“Being a younger guy on varsity is fun, and I get to mess around with the seniors,” Brewell said. “I got here by working hard: ‘never back down, never give up.’”
The third quarter did not go as planned for the Wildcats, as they were held to only five points. On the other hand, Wheaton Academy extended their lead, scoring 17 points, making the score 43-25 going into the final quarter.
In the final minutes of the game, the Wildcats trailed by 18. The determined Cats returned to the game ready to play; however, the Warriors were not letting up. The game continued to go in favor of the Warriors as they gained another 14 points, ending the game in a 57-37 loss for the West Chicago Wildcats.
“We are learning to consistently compete at the intensity that the varsity level demands; our players are gaining valuable experience every single rep in both practices and games. Throughout the season, I hope we show steady improvement, grow closer as a team, and are playing our best basketball down the stretch. We need to stay committed to finding joy in the process while understanding that hard work does not guarantee success but does better our chances,” Ramos said.
Despite the loss, the team showed they mean business this season. There was great communication between players on the court and positive chemistry across the team. With strong talent and good coaching, this may be a statement season for the West Chicago Wildcats basketball program.