West Aurora’s Antonio Higgins turned a storied rivalry into his own brand of poetic justice.
The junior guard returned Friday night to the same gym where he suffered a sprained MCL that caused him to miss four weeks.
“It felt great getting back out there and being with the team and having that energy and burst,” Higgins said. “Before the injury I felt really good, and now I’m just getting out there and showing what I’m capable of doing.”
Higgins proved his capability by producing eight points, four rebounds and three steals for the Blackhawks in a breathe-easy 76-34 Upstate Eight West victory over host East Aurora.
Senior forward Terrence Smith had 16 points, five rebounds, four dunks and three blocked shots for the Blackhawks (17-8, 10-1), who won their 12th straight game. Sophomore point guard Travis Brown added 15 points and six assists.
Junior forward Davion Jackson tallied 12 points and eight rebounds for the Tomcats (8-17, 5-6). Junior forward Marcus Wallace Jr. contributed six points, five rebounds and three steals.
Higgins narrowly missed being a fifth player for West Aurora in double figures for scoring.
It felt especially sweet in playing just his fourth game since missing nearly a month of the season after suffering the knee injury in a junior varsity game at East Aurora.
“He understands his role is to come in and get stops,” West Aurora coach Michael Fowler said of Higgins, who played a significant part in East Aurora committing 26 turnovers..
“Anybody who comes in with a defensive-oriented mindset and is willing to do the dirty work out there on the floor — Antonio can play for me any day of the week.”
On this day, Higgins displayed a propensity for making winning plays with his hustle, toughness, and an ability to disrupt the opposing offense.
Senior guard Jaden Edwards was another active presence on defense in concert with Higgins.
The two played in the secondary for West Aurora’s football team that finished 10-1 and won a state playoff game. Basketball is just the latest outlet for their physical and exacting brand of play.
“His work ethic is just off the charts and he always wants to win, no matter what is going on out there,” Edwards said of Higgins. “We both play defense in football, so it’s natural and easy for us to come out here and guard in basketball.”
Indeed, Higgins plays cornerback in football. And it shows.
“Playing that position in football has definitely helped with my defense in basketball,” Higgins said. “I have the acceleration off the ball and I know how to stop guys and get physical.”
Higgins also knows how to make the transition from one end of the court to the other. He converted off a soft touch by getting into the lane and scoring with a sweet floater.
“I feel like any time I step on the court, I’m able to make an impact, especially on the defensive side,” Higgins said. “My mentality is just shut down my man.
“Once I’m able to do that, I just get buckets off that.”
If he’s defined by a physical style and aggressive manner, Higgins is more contemplative and inward away from sports. He prefers the solitary and artisanal, trying out painting or making music.
It provides a balance and equilibrium.
“Music and painting just clear my head and help me go out there and just play,” Higgins said. “It puts me in a happy mood.”
He’s also thrilled to be back in action, participating in a dominant 12-0 run for West Aurora that began with a 58-45 victory on Jan. 4 over Elmwood Park.
A victory next Friday at home over South Elgin will clinch the outright conference title in the West Division of the Upstate Eight, matching the football team.
“That means a lot to me, winning conference championships,” Higgins said. “I hate losing, and it’s something I never want to do. I was born that way and never want it any other way.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.