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Cameron Morel helps Aurora Christian get back on track

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Aurora Christian forward, the only senior on a roster full of sophomores Cameron Morel There is a different perspective on the urgency of the postseason.

Others have two more college seasons left. But Morel does not do this. With the Eagles trailing at halftime on Tuesday night, he made sure to remind his teammates of that fact.

“I told the guys, ‘We’re not going to lose this game,'” Morel said. “That’s all we have left of some of us.”

Morel then came out and scored 11 points in the third quarter to turn the tide in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinals. Aurora Christian finished the game with a 10-0 run to defeat Rochelle Zell 64-56 and erase a six-point halftime deficit.

Morel led all scorers with 21 points for the Eagles, who will play in the regional championship game at 19:00 on Friday. sophomore guard Marshawn Cocroft He added 16 points, 14 of which were in the first half. sophomore guard Jacob Baumann He added 12 points with four three-pointers.

Adi Chazan led Rochelle Zell (21-6) with 14 points.

Morel did his best to put the Eagles ahead 54-52 after three quarters. He converted two 3-point plays, put back the rebound, made a layup after a steal and made a 3-pointer.

“He’s a senior doing what he has to do, right?” Aurora Christian coach And Beebe aforementioned. “He did a great job. I think when you’re a senior you’re in a tough spot. Maybe there’s a little more desperation, a sense of urgency.

“He was rebounding, defending, shooting. We know he’s a shooter, but he was driving to the basket. “That was great to see.”

Aurora Christian’s Jacob Baumann (22) passes Rochelle Zell’s Nitai Gorlin (0) in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Elgin. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

Beebe noted that versatility is a sign of Morel’s evolution throughout his career.

“He worked hard on this,” Beebe said. “He used to be just a catch and shoot guy. He worked hard to put the ball on the floor. “This has come a long way.”

Morel was even harsher in his self-assessment.

“At first I was just a hitman,” Morel said. “Keep me from shooting the ball and take me out of the game. You can’t do this anymore. I know I can get to the rim. I can finish it.

“I don’t need three to win.”

Aurora Christian's Marshawn Cocroft (3) cruises past Rochelle Zell's Ophir Zetouni (5) in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Elgin.  Aurora Christian pulled ahead with a 64-56 victory.  Rick Bamman / For Beacon News
Aurora Christian’s Marshawn Cocroft (3) cruises past Rochelle Zell’s Ophir Zetouni (5) in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Elgin. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

After a 45-minute delay due to a tornado warning, the game finally started. Rochelle Zell shot 21/16, including 7/8 three-pointers, in the first half. Tigers led 39-33 at halftime.

“They didn’t miss,” Morel said. “A guy almost hit one from half court.”

Entering the second half someone from Aurora Christian needed to make a defensive play. In comes Cocroft, who forces a steal and scores on a layup to set the tone for the comeback.

“They were hitting, but we knew we would find our way back,” Cocroft said. “I knew we would stop eventually.

“When we came out of the half, our coach said, ‘Keep the same energy.’ Jump on them now.’ That’s what I did. “I stood up, stole the ball and made the layup.”

Aurora Christian's Jalen Carter (20) aims for a pass while Rochelle Zell's Jesse Shapira (1) defends during the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Elgin.  Aurora Christian pulled ahead with a 64-56 victory.  Rick Bamman / For Beacon News
Aurora Christian’s Jalen Carter (20) looks for a pass as Rochelle Zell’s Jesse Shapira (1) defends during the Class 1A Harvest Christian Regional semifinals on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, in Elgin. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

It didn’t surprise Cocroft that Morel took it from there.

“Glass is always like that,” Cocroft said. “We were down in the regional championship and he was telling us he didn’t want it to be his last game. He said he would play hard and try to win the match, and that’s what he did.”

The Eagles now have a chance to win their first regional championship in five seasons.

“This is definitely an opportunity that everyone dreams of,” Morel said. “When I was a senior, it was something I had dreamed of my whole life; playing in the front yard.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

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