CHAMPAIGN — Throughout a magical ride to state filled with heart-stopping wins and improbable comebacks, Jalen Carter learned just how special of a bond his Aurora Christian team has.
The sophomore forward felt that helped the young Eagles, who start three of his classmates, pull off thrilling victory after thrilling victory, including a pair of overtime wins, on their way to state.
“I think it’s just our chemistry,” Carter said. “We play well together and we know we have each other’s backs. We’re able to push through for each other. That plays a big role.”
Aurora Christian battled again Thursday in another memorable marathon game, dropping a 70-65 heartbreaker in double overtime to Winchester West Central in a Class 1A semifinal at the State Farm Center.
Marshawn Cocroft poured in 36 points to lead the Eagles (25-9), who were set to take on Hope Academy in the third-place game later Thursday night.
Carter added 13 points, including nine in the fourth quarter and OT, to go along with eight rebounds. Asa Johnson contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
Chance Little led West Central (35-3) with 33 points and 12 rebounds. Zack Evans scored 17 points and Mason Berry had 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Cougars outscored the Eagles 5-0 in the second OT.
“I know it’s the toughest loss probably for every one of us,” Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe said. “I’m so, so proud of them. They’ve been resilient all year. In four of our five past games, we’ve been deep in terms of getting down. Three of them have gone to overtime.
“They’ve been incredibly resilient. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go your way and you can’t make shots.”
Cocroft and Little staged an entertaining duel throughout the game, with the 6-foot Cocroft doing his damage on drives to the basket and outside shots and the 6-4 Little dominating inside.
“I think the college court helps us a lot with our offense,” Cocroft said. “We have good space, so we were able to pick and roll.
“I was either waiting for them to hedge or not hedge. When they didn’t hedge I was able to drive a lot and score off layups. Eventually they were hedging, and that’s when I’d shoot threes.”
Cocroft’s biggest basket came with 32 seconds left in OT when he scored on a drive to tie the game at 65-65 and force the second extra session.
Evans came through in similar fashion for West Central at the end of regulation, sinking a pair of free throws with 17 seconds remaining o to force a 57-57 tie.
Cameron Morel, the lone senior in Aurora Christian’s lineup, got a good look at a potential winning 3-pointer at the buzzer but it was off the mark.
Despite the loss, it was a triumphant return to state for Aurora Christian, which was in Peoria preparing for a state semifinal in 2020 when the tournament was canceled due to the pandemic.
“I’m not a super emotional guy, but after the supersectional game (Monday), I let a lot out,” Beebe said. “One for the kids’ sake because they worked so hard to get here, and two because COVID was tough. It was tough to go into that hotel room, coming off a 27-point win in the supersectional against the 35-0 No. 1 team in the state and tell the kids the season was over.
“So, it was emotional to get back here.”
With such a young roster, Aurora Christian hopes several return trips to Champaign are in order.
Beebe knows his group gained invaluable experience Thursday — and all season long.
“All of our kids are kind of mature beyond their years,” he said. “Three of the four sophomores played significant minutes for us last year. They’re really only sophomores by age. We’ve never used it as a crutch that we start four sophomores. Nobody cares about that.
“We just go out and play.”
