They’re breakin’ up the band, so to speak, at Aurora Christian.
It isn’t tantamount to the Beatles, but for high school basketball it is pretty big news around here. The Eagles’ big three — seniors Will Wolfe and Taaj Davis and junior Jaehshon Thomas — won’t be together this season to make another run at a sectional title or beyond.
Wolfe, a 6-foot-6 guard/forward, has transferred to Oswego East due to family financial considerations. And Thomas, a 6-2 guard, has transferred to Chicago powerhouse Whitney Young to step up in competition.
“I knew when Will transferred, I didn’t think it was going to work out this year,” Thomas said. “So I just started to look for other schools. I liked (Young’s) program, how they ran it, and the academics.”
All three players started on varsity for Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe since they were freshmen. They reached a Class 1A sectional final in 2018, losing to eventual state runner-up Annawan. Bumped up to Class 2A in 2019, the Eagles reached a sectional semifinal.
Davis, who remains at Aurora Christian, didn’t see the breakup coming.
“Personally, it’s hard to imagine those two gone,” he said. “Those are also my two best friends at school. It’s very hard to talk about what I’m going through with the team.”
Davis was the third leading scorer last season, averaging 12.4 points behind Wolfe (17.8) and Thomas (16.8).
“He was our third leading scorer but we went as Taaj went,” Beebe said at season’s end.
Davis and Thomas, with his new team, were both playing at Riverside-Brookfield’s 64-team tournament this past weekend in front of a large contingent of college scouts.
It was a step up for Aurora Christian, making its first appearance in the event that features many high-profile Class 3A and 4A teams.
“We have a very tough schedule in the regular season this year, and we put it together with the team we thought we were going to have in mind,” Davis said. “Our schedule isn’t going to change. We’re still going to have to go into those games playing to win. We’re going to get better every day.”
The lineup will likely feature two or three sophomores.
And the 6-foot-2 Davis, who also averaged 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals last season, will be featured in the lead role.
“It’s disappointing, but certainly understandable,” Beebe said. “It was a tough decision for the Wolfe family and I believe Jaehshon has always wanted to play at a top level in Class 4A.”
Thomas joins a team that has two high-profile senior guards in DJ Steward and Tyler Beard.
“Playing behind DJ, I’ll be able to get better every day,” Thomas said.
Davis, of course, will have to score more this season.
“I didn’t sign up to do this but it happens,” Davis said. “What happens, happens. God put me in this place for a reason. It’s a test. That’s what I’m going to take it as.”
He is already being recruited by a number of Division II, III and NAIA schools. It will be interesting to see how his new role impacts his recruiting.
“Taaj is a special kid,” Beebe said. “He’ll have to learn when to apply himself and when to pull back and get other kids involved.”
There’s still promise, Beebe said. Aurora Christian’s freshman team last year won Aurora’s City of Lights tournament title for the first time.
Davis wishes Wolfe and Thomas the best.
“They did what they thought was better for their future,” Davis said. “I want to see them succeed.”
