Ryan Johnson erupts as Oswego East tops West Aurora for 4th time, wins regional. ‘I’m trying to be that senior leader.’

For Oswego East’s Ryan Johnson, it was the perfect time and the perfect opponent.

If the senior forward wanted to gauge his personal development, why not West Aurora? Friday night’s game was the Wolves’ fourth meeting this season against the Blackhawks.

“My mentality is to always be aggressive and help get shots for my teammates,” Johnson said. “West Aurora is a talented team. They played us tough the last time, so we knew it was going to be a dogfight.

“I saw them start hitting some shots and pulling closer to us. I knew the next move was for me to start stepping up and hitting my own shots.”

And that’s what he did. Johnson scored nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter as the Wolves rolled to a 56-43 win in the Class 4A Lockport Regional championship game.

Oswego East (27-5), which swept the four-game series from West Aurora, will play at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the host Raiders (25-7) in the Bolingbrook Sectional semifinals.

Junior guard Jehvion Starwood scored 14 points Friday for the Wolves, while senior forward Mekhi Lowery added 11 points and six rebounds. Senior guard Bryce Shoto had nine points, four assists and two steals.

Sophomore forward Terrence Smith scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds for West Aurora (18-15). Junior forward Josh Pickett picked up 15 points.

But on this night, Johnson proved to be the difference, pacing his team in scoring.

“I am trying to be that senior leader,” Johnson said. “I was named captain, and that was a great spot for me to take on a new role.”

The 6-foot-7 Johnson creates matchup difficulties. He hit two 3-pointers in the second half and also got to the basket for a 3-point play.

That versatility underscores his rapid ascension from a role player off the bench last season to a featured two-way talent.

“Once I start hitting from the outside, teams have to start guarding me, then I can drive,” Johnson said. “If you see me play, I am not a one-on-one guy. I am more of a team player.”

Smith, who scored 26 points for West Aurora in Wednesday’s 57-54 double-overtime victory over Lockport in the regional semifinals, nearly engineered another upset.

“Coming into the game, even though they beat us three times, our confidence was high and our chemistry was great,” Smith said. “We really felt like we had a good chance.

“But they’re very talented and they played a good game.”

If Johnson is a connective thread to the Wolves’ returning nucleus, Starwood and Shoto represent a jolt of the new as transfers.

Last season, Starwood was a reserve on Yorkville Christian’s Class 1A state championship team. Shoto meanwhile, came over from Plainfield Central.

Shoto, who brings a steady presence as a secondary creator and shooter, scored six points in the fourth quarter to help put the game away.

“This is my first regional championship and it’s very exciting,” Shoto said. “I like to play defense, get my hands on the ball and then bring the offense when we need it.”

Chemistry is a crucial inflection point for even the most talented of teams, and Shoto has made a seamless transition.

“My teammates have been great,” he said. “The coaches love me, so it has just been a great situation.”

Johnson reiterated that point.

“They’re great guys with great personalities,” Johnson said of Starwood and Shoto. “I knew as soon as I got to know them better during summer camp they were going to be great.”

Now, Oswego East faces Bolingbrook, which eliminated the Wolves in last season’s sectional final. The Raiders also beat Oswego East 55-53 on Jan. 11.

“We are going to be ready,” Johnson said.

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.