It was back-to-back victories for the Tigers as both the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams took down the Falcons in Orange and Black Gym on Dec. 15.

The first matchup of the night was the girls game, which went down to the wire. Throughout the entire game, neither team was able to separate themselves from the other for long. Wheaton Warrenville South (7-6, 2-3) and Wheaton North (7-6, 0-4) stayed neck in neck in a defense-heavy contest where each basket had to be earned.

Junior Sara Abdul led all scorers with 23 points for the Falcons; she made two clutch free throws to put North up by one with 10 seconds remaining. The Tigers had possession in a must-score situation. Senior Hannah Struebing (16 points) delivered for South when they needed her most, driving to the hoop and converting the game-winning layup as time expired. The student section erupted as the Tigers ended the Crosstown Classic with a 44-43 lead in a dramatic conclusion for the ages.

“It’s amazing, their defense just prevailed,” said head coach Kasey Gassensmith. “They trusted the offense, they just played together. I think the biggest part was composure… I think this really helps bring that confidence up to ride us out through December.”

The boys’ game followed, with the Tigers taking an early lead and never looking back. South (6-3, 3-1) took control of the fixture in the first quarter, jumping to a double-digit lead over North (5-3, 2-1). The Falcons were unable to gain a lead afterward, only managing 14 points in the first half.

North pushed for a comeback in the third quarter and got within two possessions of South on multiple occasions, but the hosts always found a response. Junior Luca Carbonaro shot lights out from three, scoring 20 points and spearheading the Tigers’ offense. Senior Max O’Connell added 10 as South ran away with the game in the fourth quarter and completed a 53-38 win. This game didn’t only represent a rivalry, it may also prove to be crucial as the Tigers continue their quest for a four-peat in the DuKane Conference.

“Very proud of them,” said Wheaton Warrenville South interim head coach Matthew Stellwagen. “It’s huge to have the positive experience like that, build more chemistry, great foundation to hopefully meet again next week against Lake Park.”