HINSDALE CENTRAL HOLIDAY CLASSIC

HC SQUARED:  It's The Best Game In Town

Game Recap

HINSDALE, Ill. – Led by Hayden Schroeder's 28-point outburst, Wheaton Academy dominated points in paint en route to a 69-60 victory against Lincoln-Way East in the consolation semifinal of the 2025 Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic.

A back-and-forth opening quarter saw only two points of separation between the two sides. But the second quarter proved pivotal for Wheaton Academy. The Warriors (9-4 record) shot 78 percent from the field, riding their big center Hayden Schroeder down low for 14 points in the half. On the other end of the floor, Wheaton Academy's 2-3 zone defense slowed down and frustrated the Griffins (5-7 record), who only made 2 of 15 field goals in the quarter (13 percent). When the first half buzzer sounded, Wheaton Academy was in control 31-19.

The halftime stats showed the Warriors shoot 71 percent from the field, led by Schroeder and Donell Ausley (8 points). Lincoln-Way East was held to 28 percent shooting overall with guard KaiJay Brown talling 10 points in the half.

A 10-3 run by the Warriors gave them their biggest lead of the day at 41-22. The advantage stood at 14 entering the fourth quarter. Feeling the desperation, the Griffins picked up the pace and the aggression. An 11-2 streak midway through the fourth got Lincoln-Way East right back into the game and within three points at 54-51. Center Jonathan Aluyi stepped out to the three-point line to bury a pair of treys during that time.

The Warriors went back to their bread and butter, charging into the lane to score baskets through traffic. An 11-3 run of their own pushed the lead back to double digits and put the game out of reach.

In the final stats, Wheaton Academy shot an impressive 71 percent on field goals and 60 percent on three-pointers (3-5). Schroeder's 28 points paced the squad along with his six rebounds and three steals. Jackson Snider submitted 16 points, and Ausley posted 13 points and five rebounds. Points in the paint was decidedly one-sided 46-12 in the Warriors' favor.

The Griffins were limited to 33 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arc (8-27). Brown scored a team-high 21 points. Aluyi and Matt Manzke tallied 10 points each. Jaymon Hornsby added nine points and eight assists.

Wheaton Academy will take on the winner of Lane Tech/Waubonsie Valley in the consolation championship on Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 3:45 p.m. Lincoln-Way East will take on the loser of that game at 12:30 p.m.