WHEATON – Geneva controlled the tempo and frustrated favored West Aurora for much of Friday’s IHSA Class 4A Wheaton Warrenville South Regional championship game, but a few critical miscues down the stretch by the Vikings allowed the Blackhawks to escape with a 45-37 victory.

“There were probably two or three key possessions,” Geneva boys basketball coach Phil Ralston said. “You can’t fault our kids for the way they battled tonight, but sometimes when you’re playing this West Aurora team, even three points seems like it’s 30 points to try to close it in on them. You just have to have absolutely great execution.”

The Vikings (21-9) executed well for the first 26 minutes. Senior post player Connor Chapman scored inside on a pass from Chris Parrilli with 6:25 left in the game to put Geneva ahead 25-24.