Are the pieces in place for Oswego to keep improving?

They could well be.

Brayden Borrowman, for one, looks forward to having a hand in helping solve that puzzle for the Panthers, who last year improved from four wins to 13 in the first season for coach Nick Oraham.

The 6-foot-7 Borrowman understands the process begins with talented 6-3 guard Ethan Vahl, one of the top sophomores in the state. Vahl’s efforts, though, need complementary support.

“I’ve worked incredibly hard on my shot,” Borrowman said, mindful of his many shooting sessions before school since last season. “It’s my senior year. I’ve got to make the most of it.

“I’ve played basketball my whole life and the 3-pointer is a big part of my game.”

Oswego’s Brayden Borrowman (30) shoots a free throw with 20.7 seconds left against West Aurora during a Hoops for Healing Tournament game in Oswego on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Vahl was at the forefront Monday, scoring a game-high 30 points in three quarters after two fouls in the first minute forced him to sit out nearly a full quarter of a 51-48 squeaker over West Aurora.

Borrowman, a senior guard/forward who averaged between three and four points last winter, scored all 10 of his points in the second half. It included a pair of 3-pointers as only other double-digit scorer for Oswego (1-0).

It came in the season and Hoops for Healing Tournament opener hosted by the Panthers and Oswego East as Vahl faced childhood friend Travis Brown, a junior guard who led the Blackhawks (0-1) with 19 points.

“We’ve been friends since second grade,” Vahl said. “I’ve been eager to play West Aurora since the schedule came out.”

Oswego’s Ethan Vahl (3) saves the ball and throws it off West Aurora’s Travis Brown (1) during a Hoops for Healing Tournament game in Oswego on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Junior guard Jaden Matthews-Thomas added 16 points for West Aurora, which shot 0 of 18 from beyond the 3-point line and only 8 of 16 from the line.

“You don’t survive in basketball these days not making a 3-pointer,” West Aurora coach Michael Fowler said. “We struggled at the free-throw line, too. Our defense kept us in it.”

Vahl, who had scored the first basket of the season for Oswego, re-entered the game early in the second quarter and finished the first half with 16 points as the Panthers led 27-22.

“It’s adversity,” Vahl said of the fouls. “I feel like I do a good job of handling that. I just kept playing.”

Oswego’s Brayden Borrowman (30) looks to pass the ball into the post against West Aurora during a Hoops for Healing Tournament game in Oswego on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

“Not a ton is gonna faze that kid,” Oraham said. “They were sending three at him late in the game. The kid just responds. I’m glad he’s on our side.”

Borrowman, meanwhile, also had a slow start, going scoreless in the first half.

“He had a couple good looks that, he’ll be the first to tell you, he expects those to go in,” Oraham said.

A 3-pointer by Borrowman in the third quarter gave the Panthers their biggest lead at 39-26.

“Brayden keeping some possessions alive in the third quarter on the offensive glass was big,” said Oraham, also was impressed by the strong rebounding of 6-11 sophomore Cole Jansons and 6-7 junior Niko Jurkovic.

With Oswego’s football team playing Mount Carmel on Saturday for the Class 8A title, the Panthers were without starters Mariano Velasco and Graham Schwab and key reserve Caleb Miller.

Oswego’s Brayden Borrowman (30) dribbles to the basket against West Aurora during a Hoops for Healing Tournament game in Oswego on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

West Aurora, paced by five steals from Brown, pulled within 49-48 on his two free throws with 30 seconds left. Borrowman, though, answered 10 seconds later with two free throws to ice it.

“He’s been at everything, worked extremely hard,” Oraham said of Borrowman. “He’s showing up at 5:30 in the morning, getting 400 shots up before school, and was voted a captain by his peers for a reason.

“They understand and appreciate the work that he’s put in.”

Vahl has Division I offers from Incarnate Word and Eastern Illinois, while Borrowman has some NCAA Division III interest.

“There were a little bit of nerves at the start,” Borrowman said. “It’s West Aurora and a bit of a rivalry. I just try to play hard, get in a rhythm. I’ve just gotta see one go in the rim and the rest gets easier for me. All you have to do is get in a rhythm.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/brayden-borrowman-oswego-west-aurora-ihsa-boys-basketball/