Boys basketball: West Aurora wins 14th straight, clinches conference title
Terrance Smith could only watch as West Aurora struggled to a 5-8 record during the 2024 portion of the 2024-25 campaign.
Smith, who absorbed a knee injury during the Blackhawks’ run to the second round of the Class 8A football playoffs, returned to the hardwood in January.
It has been smooth sailing for the Hawks since Smith's return.
The four-year starter and Iowa football recruit has been a key cog during West Aurora's 14-game winning streak since the beginning of the new year.
The Hawks clinched the Upstate Eight Conference East Division crown with a 70-44 win over South Elgin at Gordon Kerkman Gymnasium Friday night on their senior night.
"It was hard to watch and not play," said Smith. “The knee is 100% and we are peaking at the right time.”
Senior Gabe Gonzales paced the hosts (19-8, 11-1) with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
"We haven't lost since Terrance came back," said Gonzales. “He makes a big difference. We have a lot of depth on this team and we are playing well at the right time. We have great chemistry on and off the court."
Smith chipped in 12 points in less than three quarters with 3 resounding dunks.
Abe Martinez, with 3 treys, added 11 points for the winners.
"We have all our players now including Terrance," said coach Mike Fowler. “We were little out of sync offensively early. But, our defense carried us early. It is great to win the conference and we are peaking at the time."
The Hawks set the tone defensively in the first quarter. South Elgin (8-20, 5-7), who made only 2-of-10 from the field, committed 9 turnovers during the first 8 minutes.
Propelled by 6 points from Smith and 5 from Travis Brown off the bench, the Hawks led 15-4 after the first quarter and never looked back.
A driving layup by Brown at the buzzer gave West a 33-15 lead at intermission.
The Blackhawks ensured there wouldn't be a South Elgin comeback by starting the third quarter on a 12-4 run.
Gabe Gonzales and Smith scored 6 points each as the Blackhawks led 45-19 midway through the third quarter.
The visiting Storm, which made 9-of-25 of 3-point range for 37%, was led by Andrew Harms with 15 points which included 4 three-pointers.