Yorkville Christian Mustangs, A 12-Year-Old Powerhouse on the Illinois High School Basketball Scene
In a resounding victory at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the 14th-ranked Yorkville Christian Mustangs (15-9) dispatched Joliet Catholic 73-58, further solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the state.
Senior Jayden Riley's outstanding performance was instrumental in securing this win. The SIU-Edwardsville recruit poured in a career-high 31 points, including six points in the second half, to lead his team past the previously unbeaten Hilltoppers (15-8). His impressive display showcased his exceptional all-around skills, as he added nine rebounds and five assists.
Yorkville Christian coach Aaron Sovern was ecstatic about his team's victory, citing Riley's ability to "control the game" and outmaneuver opponents. The senior guard's prowess was on full display, as he consistently demonstrated his capacity for reading two plays ahead of defenders. This exceptional leadership skills allowed him to take control of the tempo of the game.
Riley acknowledged that the first half was sluggish but managed to adjust quickly and take charge. His ability to adapt to a different environment – an arena with a larger court – enabled him to succeed despite initial struggles. Meanwhile, senior Jed Ogulei's timely three-pointer with 5:30 left in the third quarter propelled Yorkville Christian into the lead, sealing their victory.
Senior guard Tray Alford's remarkable performance was marked by his 18 points and seven rebounds. His fifth point of the game represented a milestone – becoming the 1,000th of his career – a testament to his hard work and dedication. The Mustangs were thrilled with this historic achievement, particularly since it took place on an NBA floor.
The win has been a significant boost for Joliet Catholic, who are aiming to become more competitive in basketball despite being considered an athletic powerhouse but struggling in the sport. Their willingness to compete against top teams shows promising signs of progress under coach Adam DeGroot's leadership.
Overall, Yorkville Christian Mustangs continue to prove themselves as one of Illinois' top high school basketball teams, driven by their exceptional talent, strong team chemistry, and coaching expertise.
In a resounding victory at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, the 14th-ranked Yorkville Christian Mustangs (15-9) dispatched Joliet Catholic 73-58, further solidifying their position as one of the top teams in the state.
Senior Jayden Riley's outstanding performance was instrumental in securing this win. The SIU-Edwardsville recruit poured in a career-high 31 points, including six points in the second half, to lead his team past the previously unbeaten Hilltoppers (15-8). His impressive display showcased his exceptional all-around skills, as he added nine rebounds and five assists.
Yorkville Christian coach Aaron Sovern was ecstatic about his team's victory, citing Riley's ability to "control the game" and outmaneuver opponents. The senior guard's prowess was on full display, as he consistently demonstrated his capacity for reading two plays ahead of defenders. This exceptional leadership skills allowed him to take control of the tempo of the game.
Riley acknowledged that the first half was sluggish but managed to adjust quickly and take charge. His ability to adapt to a different environment – an arena with a larger court – enabled him to succeed despite initial struggles. Meanwhile, senior Jed Ogulei's timely three-pointer with 5:30 left in the third quarter propelled Yorkville Christian into the lead, sealing their victory.
Senior guard Tray Alford's remarkable performance was marked by his 18 points and seven rebounds. His fifth point of the game represented a milestone – becoming the 1,000th of his career – a testament to his hard work and dedication. The Mustangs were thrilled with this historic achievement, particularly since it took place on an NBA floor.
The win has been a significant boost for Joliet Catholic, who are aiming to become more competitive in basketball despite being considered an athletic powerhouse but struggling in the sport. Their willingness to compete against top teams shows promising signs of progress under coach Adam DeGroot's leadership.
Overall, Yorkville Christian Mustangs continue to prove themselves as one of Illinois' top high school basketball teams, driven by their exceptional talent, strong team chemistry, and coaching expertise.
yorkville christian mustangs are killin it this season! Jayden Riley is straight fire 
his 31 points in the second half sealed the deal. I love how he adjusted to the bigger court and took control of the tempo. 
coach Aaron Sovern's got some serious skills too. Jed Ogulei's three-pointer was clutch 
and Tray Alford's 1,000th point is a huge milestone for him! 18 points and 7 rebounds? 
can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for these mustangs! 
and Tray Alford getting to 1,000 career points is super cool, you gotta respect dedication and hard work 
I mean, come on, 12-year-old powerhouses already? That's like saying 5-year-olds can solve world hunger next 
! But seriously, Jayden Riley is like the LeBron of high school basketball right now – unstoppable 
. On a more serious note (just for a sec), it's awesome to see these teams competing and pushing each other to be better 
. Maybe one day we'll have an NBA team composed of high schoolers, and that would be lit 
But seriously, it's awesome to see Yorkville Christian Mustangs killing it on the hardwood. They're basically a mini- version of those crazy good teams from March Madness 
!
I mean can you even? He's got skills for days, from three pointers to sick dunks... I'm low-key worried about who's gonna guard him next game lol. And Jed Ogulei's timely threepa with 5:30 left in the third quarter sealed it! 
The Mustangs are on FIRE right now and it's all thanks to their stellar team chemistry and coaching expertise. Aaron Sovern must be beaming proud of his squad! Coach Adam DeGroot over at Joliet Catholic, I feel for you guys... still got game but struggling a bit 
. Anyway, keep supporting these talented teens, we need more of this in high school hoops!!! 
! I mean, going for a career-high 31 points is no joke, but it's even crazier considering he was only a year away from graduation 
. The fact that he took charge of the game like that and outmaneuvered those opponents is just mind-blowing 
. And Tray Alford getting his 1,000th point on an NBA floor? That's just the cherry on top 
! The Mustangs are for real