Junior forward Joe DeCort knew it was going to be one of those nights for Aurora Christian.

The Eagles were definitely shorthanded Tuesday night, with junior guard Preston Morel sidelined by strep throat and senior guard Jacob Baumann being likely limited by the flu bug.

They knew someone would have to step up.

Why not the 6-foot-3 DeCort?

“We’ve gotta try to win, so it’s next man up,” he said. “We expected it and knew we could do it. I’ve started this season and most of the games last season after being called up.

“I knew I had to just go out there and play my hardest.”

Aurora Christian’s Joe DeCort (4) launches a 3-point shot against Chicago Hope during a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

And DeCort did just that.

He hit 5 of 10 shots from beyond the 3-point line in scoring a season-high 15 points for host Aurora Christian in a 63-60 Chicagoland Christian Conference loss to Chicago Hope in overtime.

The ailing Baumann stepped up to score a team-high 20 points for Aurora Christian (15-4, 4-2). Senior forward Asa Johnson, the Northern Illinois football recruit at quarterback, added 18.

Senior point guard TyJuan Hunter, a two-time first team all-state pick, scored a game-high 33 points for visiting Hope (17-6, 7-1). He attacked the basket for layups, hit floaters and pull-up jumpers or drew fouls. He made 10 of 13 free throws.

Aurora Christian’s Joe DeCort (4) passes the ball across the court against Chicago Hope during a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

“Our goal was to not let No. 3 shoot it because he can shoot it from anywhere,” DeCort said of Hunter.

Aurora Christian kept things close throughout as each team’s biggest lead was six points.

Without Morel and with Baumann limited, Aurora Christian coach Dan Beebe threw Hope a curve with a 1-2-2 zone on defense.

“I think the kids just battled,” Beebe said. “We’re not a zone team. We don’t play a lot of zone but we played it exclusively, just because from a personnel standpoint, it was a hard matchup for us.”

Aurora Christian’s Joe DeCort (4) ignores the defense and fires a deep 3-pointer against Chicago Hope during a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Two weeks earlier, the Eagles defeated Newark 57-41, giving Beebe his 200th career win at the school in his 10th season. His teams have won seven regionals and three sectionals and twice made it downstate. He has a .719 winning percentage with a 202-79 overall record.

On this night, the slender, long-armed DeCort had an impact out front at the top of the zone.

“Kid has been with us all three years and has been a hard worker,” Johnson said of DeCort. “He wasn’t exactly the most physical, but coach worked with him and he’s learned a lot about defense and rebounding.

“I feel like that’s what got him on the court and he can shoot it as well, too.”

DeCort grabbed five rebounds and made big shots late. His 3-pointer with 2:21 in regulation cut the deficit to 49-48. He then forced OT and a 53-53 deadlock on another 3-pointer with 1:03 left.

On top of that, DeCort’s final 3-pointer cut Hope’s lead in OT to 61-58.

Aurora Christian’s Joe DeCort (4) goes up to block a shot against Chicago Hope during a Chicagoland Christian Conference game in Aurora on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

“Coming into it, you could tell from the mood in the room everyone was thinking about who we were missing,” Johnson said. “We knew someone had to step up and I’d say Joe did.

“He not only hit a bunch of threes, but threes in prime time when we needed them most. I feel like this game was really big for him. Hopefully, going forward, he keeps carrying that on.”

Beebe has faith in DeCort’s ability to shoot the ball.

“He’s always been a really good shooter,” Beebe said. “To see him step up and shoot with confidence. That’s what we see in practices. To see that in a game is really nice.

“I think the thing we’ve always had when we have men down, somebody always steps up and Joe DeCort stepped up (Tuesday night). He’s always had it in him but stepped up in a big way for us.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/28/joe-decort-aurora-christian-basketball/