Aurora Christian’s Preston Morel is no stranger to playing in big games.
The 6-foot-2 junior guard has experienced more than most high school basketball players, especially considering the Eagles’ recent run of postseason success.
It’s why he entered the Class 2A Mendota Sectional semifinal with a clear head.
“I was just flowing,” Morel said. “I was ready. I wanted the ball. I wanted to make those shots. I was just prepared.”
Morel put together another strong performance Wednesday night, scoring a game-high 19 points. But Johnsburg used a late surge in the fourth quarter to pick up a 51-47 victory.
Morel’s big night was highlighted by 4 of 6 shooting from 3-point range and 5 of 5 shooting from the free-throw line. Jacob Baumann added 10 points in his final game for the Eagles (21-8).
Josh Kaunas paced Johnsburg (23-11) with 12 points.
Morel made a pair of 3-pointers in a back-and-forth first quarter and scored eight points in the first half as Aurora Christian entered halftime leading 27-22.
“Preston is very much an unsung hero in our program,” Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe said. “He goes and defends one of the best players each game.
“And, oh, then we need you to score on the other end. He’s multifaceted. He very quietly gives you 15, 16 points a game. He defends like crazy. Preston is a winner with a capital W.”
The Eagles also received a significant contribution from senior forward Asa Johnson. The Northern Illinois quarterback recruit was surprisingly cleared with a knee injury for last week’s regional final.
Playing more minutes Wednesday, Johnson contributed seven points and six rebounds and offered some much-needed size.
“There was no way I was going to miss the game,” Johnson said. “It hurts, but I wasn’t going to miss the game.”
Johnson confirmed that he will be skipping baseball season to prepare for college. He also confirmed that his commitment to NIU is solid even after the departure coach Thomas Hammock, who recruited him.
“I’m still good with them,” Johnson said. “It’s still a big loss. He’s a big dude, but I’m definitely staying.”
Johnson’s unexpected return was something that stood out to his coach.
“He was a big shot in the arm to get back, that’s for sure,” Beebe said.
Over the past three seasons, Johnson is one of a handful of seniors Morel has looked up to.
Next season, Morel will likely be Aurora Christian’s leader, so his relationship with Baumann, Johnson and Zach Zappia — who also returned from injury Wednesday — will stick with him.
“I’m going to miss playing with these seniors, man,” Morel said. “Freshman year to now, I built strong relationships with them. I hope that my senior year we can do well and make it far again.
“Probably the best group of guys I’ve played with.”
Since Beebe likes to build teams around learn from previous teammates, he feels like Morel is perfectly suited to take on that role next season.
“He’s a great one to come back,” Beebe said. “You always want your seniors to lead by example, and him and Joe DeCort will lead by example. They’re a very close-knit group.”
Morel got a taste of being a leader with all the adversity the Eagles faced this season. Unlike some of their past runs, they encountered more injuries than before but still won a regional title.
“Every season there’s going to be adversity, some more than others,” Morel said. “This year was the time. We came together. You can either come together or fall apart.
“We came together and made it work.”
That makes him ready for the future.
“Excited for sure, senior year, next year,” Morel said. “I want to give it all I can.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
