W. Aurora rounding into form

West Aurora needed a spark after hitting only one-third of its shots from the field against Wheaton North in the opening half.

Tyronne Carey had back-to-back buckets to start the third quarter, and the Blackhawks' play soon became infectious in DuPage Valley Conference boys basketball action Friday night in Aurora.

The Blackhawks went on to hit 11 of their 13 field-goal attempts in the decisive quarter, erupting for 27 points - in a five-minute-and-six-second span - to turn back the Falcons 68-52.

West Aurora improved to 10-5 overall, 4-2 in the league behind its sizzling third-quarter run; Wheaton North fell to 5-9, 1-5.

"As long as we take quality shots, we were making them (after halftime)," said West Aurora off-guard Jamal Blackmond, who scored all 10 of his points after the intermission, including two third-quarter 3-pointers.

"We came out in the third quarter with a good push. (West point guard) Markus (Cocroft) really pushes the ball up the court, and that makes it much easier."

Cocroft was the second West Aurora player in double figures with 12 points, but his 7 assists and overall floor leadership were even more important after the Blackhawks went 11-for-33 in the opening two quarters.

But the Blackhawks were equally stingy on the defensive end in the opening half, harassing the Falcons into 18 of 24 missed field goals in taking a 25-18 lead at the break.

As effective as the starting West Aurora backcourt was, forward Juwan Starks continues to make a case for the next great player to come out of the storied program.

The freshman scored a career-high 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead both teams.

Starks' play was most noteworthy on the glass, where he repeatedly beat his man for second-chance points.

"(I) just worked hard and got the ball in for the team," Starks said. "I was just told to play my hardest."

"I'm not looking forward to see (Starks) play three more years," Wheaton North coach Jim Nazos said. "He's a nice player. He has a lot of tools to become a great player."

Lost in the West Aurora third-quarter offensive onslaught was the Falcons doubling their first-half production in the frame.

But even with three players in double figures, led by 13 points from Zach Dungee, the Falcons could not derail the Blackhawks' third-quarter lead, which swelled to 47-26 after Blackmond hit his second 3-pointer.

"The intensity level came up (in the third quarter)," West Aurora coach Gordie Kerkman said. "(Starks) just keeps coming on. Jamal had a real good ballgame."

Mike Small and Mike Fitzpatrick added 10 points apiece for the Falcons, who hit eight 3-pointers.

"They have some dangerous shooters," Blackmond said.