Boys basketball: Starting with defense, Yorkville Christian ends up in 1A Woodland Sectional final

RURAL STREATOR – With the razzle-dazzle and all of the points Yorkville Christian can put up in a hurry, it can be lost just how much of what the Mustangs do is built on defense.

That fact wasn’t lost on Chicago CICS/Ellison in Tuesday’s Class 1A Woodland Sectional semifinal, however.

Yorkville Christian forced five turnovers and one missed shot on the Lions’ first six possessions, and the high-powered Mustangs were off to the races toward a running-clock and a 83-39 victory. Duke signee Jaden Schutt had 24 points, four assists, four steals and three crowd-pleasing dunks, and point-of-the-press David Douglas Jr. added 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals to lead the attack.

“What I do as the chaser at the top [of the Mustangs defense], I just want to pressure the ball, try to get tips, get a five-second call, do whatever I can to make it difficult, and that kind of creates the energy for our defense, gets us going,” Douglas said. “It gets the [opposing] offense hurrying and rushing, and that’s how we get steals, and that’s when it transitions to offense.”

The victory advances Yorkville Christian(21-13) to Friday’s sectional championship at the Warrior Dome against the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Chicago Fenger and Putnam County. CICS/Ellison’s season comes to an close with a record of 18-5 after capturing the first regional title in program history.

“I know [Yorkville Christian is] tough, and some of my guys were ineligible today, which always hurts you,” CICS/Ellison coach Tyrone Ollie said. “It’s tough when you’re short-handed, but we have to make the best of it.

“We came a long way. Nobody thought we’d be here, but we were. We made it here ... made our school proud.”

Point guard Dionta Shelton scored 13 points to lead the Lions, who showcased some athleticism and playmaking ability, but not nearly enough to keep up with Yorkville Christian. The Mustangs forced 34 CICS/Ellison turnovers and shot 49.3% (35 of 71) from the field – with Schutt 11 of 17 before sitting out the entire fourth quarter with his team comfortably ahead – to the Lions’ 42.9% (18-of-42) on 29 fewer shots.

“We came out aggressive defensively,” Mustangs coach Aaron Sovern said, “but then we had a lapse in the second quarter and were kind of disappointed. We challenged the group, and I think we gave up four points in the third quarter and kept playing that way.

“I was really pleased in our effort to do that, but we’re trying to work to put 32 minutes together focused defensively. Because that’s the key for us – if we play well defensively, that drives our offense.”

After scoring the night’s first eight points, the Yorkville Christian advantage reached 10 points (12-2) on Schutt’s first dunk three minutes after the opening tip; 20 points (31-10) in the opening minute of the second quarter on one of Schutt’s two 3s; 30 points (57-27) midway through the third on Schutt’s final dunk, an all-alone windmill throwdown; 40 points (70-29) on a Schutt steal and buzzer-beater to end the third; and 50 points (80-30) with 2:29 remaining on a bucket from reservist Jehvion Starwood.

“We just got after it right away tonight,” Schutt said. “We were really excited for the game and wanted to come out and play hard, and we did that.”

K.J. Vasser added 12 points, Tyler Burrows totaled eight points and six assists, and Brayden Long finished with eight points and four blocked shots for Yorkville Christian.