Luca Carbonaro, Wheaton Warrenville South fend off Wheaton North

WHEATON – With the home crowd rocking after Wheaton Warrenville South’s 19-point lead had completely evaporated and then some, Luca Carbonaro told his huddled teammates that the game wasn’t over.

Turns out the Tigers' senior was right.

After Zach Rogers hit a game-tying 3-pointer, Carbonaro followed with a steal and three-point play with just over a minute left, helping the visitors to a 53-49 DuKane conference victory over Wheaton North.

Carbonaro also made three free throws in the final 25 seconds, finishing with 18-points to go along with nine rebounds and two blocked shots.

“I told the guys that it was still winnable,” said Carbonaro. “After that, Zach turned and hit the biggest shot I’ve ever seen and then I got a steal, I read it right, and went down and got the and-one. Zach came out and played his rear end off tonight.

“No matter what our records are, this is going to be a close game. Props to them for hitting some big shots. And I have to also give props to our JV team, they’ve been kicking our butts all week (in practice).”

Rogers also shared game-high honors with 18 points for WWS (6-3, 2-1), which has now won four in a row.

“A rivalry game is always hard,” Rogers said. “Anything can happen. That was a big shot at the end but it came with a lot of preparation. It was a huge week of practice and tonight, I was able to find some soft spots (in the defense).”

The Tigers led 26-13 at halftime and built their margin to as many as 19 points in the third quarter. Brady Goken chipped in with nine points.

“I thought we helped them a little bit during their run but they were making big shots and big plays,” said WWS coach Mike Healy. “In the first half, we were making big shots and big plays. And then Zach and Luca made two huge plays at the end. Credit to both teams, a lot of people made plays.

“I feel like we are making strides. We are blessed. We kept 20 kids and we are blessed with a group that competes against our (rotational) guys every day. They make our guys better on a daily basis. I’m happy we won, I’m happy we beat Wheaton North and I feel like there are more strides we can make to get to another level.”

Trailing 39-20, the Falcons (5-4, 2-2) closed the third on a 15-0 spurt, highlighted by a pair of 3s and eight total points from Henry Schlickman. After the Tigers scored the first five of the fourth quarter, Wheaton North responded with a 12-0 run, tying the game on a basket by Sean Pedersen and taking the lead on a three by Schlickman with 1:42 left.

Matthew Beamer topped the hosts with 13 points to go along with six rebounds and four steals and Schlickman had 11 points. Cal McKay and Pedersen both scored seven.

“We just didn’t play with the kind of energy and intensity we needed in the first two quarters and even the beginning of the third,” said Wheaton North coach Dave Brackmann, whose team had won three in a row including a victory over Batavia. “With our backs against the wall, we fought really hard. But that’s the thing we need to do from the beginning of the game.

“I’m really proud of the fact they didn’t roll over, instead they came back and took a three-point lead. It’s a good learning experience for the team, I just wish we could have had the learning experience with a win. We are getting close to being a good team, we are just not quite there yet.”