Led by Tyler Smith, Wheaton Academy bests Aurora Christian to stay unbeaten in Chicagoland Christian

AURORA – Wheaton Academy’s Tyler Smith is not one to back away from a challenge.

The 6-foot-2 senior guard scored 13 of his game-high 17 points in the first half while grabbing nine rebounds to help lift the Warriors (12-6, 4-0) to a 65-39 Chicagoland Christian Conference basketball triumph over host Aurora Christian (11-8, 1-4) on Friday night.

Displaying a relentless spirit, Smith scored a pair of baskets inside early in the second quarter, then added another hoop at the rim following two offensive rebounds late in the period during the Warriors’ 17-6 surge that extended their halftime advantage to 34-15.

“Tyler took on the challenge,” said Warriors coach Daniel Smith. “We told him before the game, ‘Hey, you’re going to guard their best player.’

“He’s one of our best guys to go downhill and get two feet in the paint. He’s physical, he’s strong, he takes contact well. He rose to the challenge tonight.”

Smith’s layup off a fastbreak and Carlton McClure’s 3-pointer from the corner gave the Warriors a 50-26 lead late in the third quarter before the visitors emptied their bench down the stretch.

“I feel like I’m more of a slasher type,” said Smith. “I like to get downhill. I use my attacking skills to draw more defenders and then kick it out to my teammates.”

Sophomore forward Hayden Schroeder added 12 points and six rebounds, while Sam Swoboda and McClure chipped in six points apiece as the Warriors used their height advantage for a 42-23 rebounding edge.

“We want him (Schroeder) to play winning basketball and start getting better on the defensive side,” said the coach. “We know he can score.

“He did a nice job. When the double-team came, he dished it to a cutter and got an assist.”

Junior Asa Johnson paced the Eagles with 11 points, while sophomore Preston Morel added seven points and five rebounds. James Baker and Jacob Baumann finished with six points apiece.

“We’re struggling a little bit offensively right now,” said Eagles coach Dan Beebe. “Defensively, I thought we played pretty well, but we just didn’t shoot the ball very well (12 for 41 from the field). Rebounding-wise, we’re giving up quite a few inches.”

With the win, the Warriors set up a first-place showdown against conference foe Christ the King on Tuesday night in Chicago.

“The goal each season is to win conference,” Daniel Smith said. “So far, so good, but we have a big one coming up. We’re going into the belly of the beast in the city. It’s going to be a great atmosphere.

“We’re looking forward to it.”

Aurora Christian visits Marian Central Catholic on Tuesday night.

“Last year we finished fourth place in conference and we got fourth place at state,” said Beebe, whose team has lost five of six. “That kind of tells you what your conference is all about.

“We haven’t had a stretch like this in a long time. We’ve got to keep doing what we do on the defensive end and gain some confidence offensively, and we’ll be OK.”

https://www.dailyherald.com/20250124/boys-basketball/boys-basketball-wheaton-academy-handles-aurora-christian-to-stay-perfect-in-conference/