A quickly organized Rowdie alumni reunion got a boost from social media and brought back the roar Friday night to West Aurora’s Gordie Kerkman Gymnasium.
The Blackhawks did the rest, pulling away late from South Elgin to win 65-47 and clinch at least a share of the Upstate Eight Valley title with two games remaining.
Fittingly, four starters who were honored along with two of their classmates in senior night ceremonies before the game led the way.
Camron Donatlan scored 24 points for West Aurora (19-4, 8-0). Ben Young and Jared Crutcher each had 13 and Damian Virgen added 11. The senior quartet accounted for 61 points.
As many as several hundred alums, many clad in their original or newly purchased blue T-shirts that were sold this week at Kirhofer’s Sports, joined the vocal student section known as the Rowdies next to the school’s band.
“It was cool to see those alums,” West Aurora coach Brian Johnson said. “Apparently, a couple of them had come to the hall of fame game earlier this season and were disappointed.”
Chrissy Ormond, a 2002 grad who was inducted that night, said 2005 grads Justin Vahl and Isaac Allen got the ball rolling by creating a Facebook page. The Rowdie Reunion could become an annual event.
“That was amazing — it’s the rowdiest they’ve been all year,” Young said. “They were really supportive.”
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Donatlan, a four-year varsity starter, said it brought back good memories.
“The crowd was much more into the game and it made us want to get out on the floor and dive for loose balls,” he said. “It was like freshman year when every game was like that.”
The energized Blackhawks started strong, sparked by Donatlan’s three dunks, to take a 21-10 lead after one quarter.
“He’s always in the right place at the right time for those,” Crutcher said.
Donatlan ended with six dunks and Crutcher added three.
The Storm (15-11, 4-5) weathered the rush, however, and fought back to within 29-26 at halftime.
Young scored all eight points for West Aurora in the second quarter.
“I didn’t know that,” Young said. ” I expected them to make a run, but it shouldn’t have been that close.”
Donatlan knew why.
“We lacked (effort) on the defensive boards,” he said. “Too many of us were leaking out trying to fast break, including me. We have to hit it harder.”
The Storm had nine of their 25 turnovers in the fourth quarter, when West pulled away with a 22-12 spurt.
West Aurora, seeded second in the Class 4A Romeoville Sectional, wraps up the regular season Wednesday at Bartlett and Friday at home against East Aurora.
“That’s our goal, to go undefeated in conference and at tournament time go real deep,” Donatlan said.
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