Wes Shelby started Lincoln-Way East’s playoff run with a bang. Or maybe it was more like a boom.

The junior forward’s thunderous dunk over a defender off a baseline inbounds pass brought the house down. And it was just the beginning of Shelby’s surge in the first quarter.

“It was electric,” Shelby said. “I’ve been waiting to do that my whole life. It felt great. Then I went and hit a three, got a block and some rebounds. I just brought a lot of energy that we needed.”

The Griffins took off after the spark from Shelby and never looked back Wednesday night, rolling to a 54-39 win over the host Eagles in a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal in Orland Park.

Shelby finished with 10 points to lead 10th-seeded Lincoln-Way East. Oliver Lavin, Jaymon Hornsby and KaiJay Brown each scored eight points, while Jonathan Aluyi finished with seven points and eight rebounds and Aaron Stauffacher added six points and eight rebounds.

“Wes’ dunk, that got us hyped,” Hornsby said. “It gave us a lot of energy, especially at the start of the game. He’s a great teammate and he’s coming up. You’ll see him next year, for sure.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) lines up a 3-point shot in front of his bench during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Next year can wait, however. Lincoln-Way East (17-13) will play at 7 p.m. Friday in the regional final against top-seeded Homewood-Flossmoor (27-3), which topped Andrew 53-44.

Will Johnson finished with nine points and seven rebounds to lead eighth-seeded Sandburg (21-11), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped and went 0-3 this winter against the Griffins. Johnson’s twin brother, Jonah, scored eight points, while Liiban Debela added five points.

The Griffins completely dominated early and led 20-6 a minute into the second quarter. Shelby set the tone, according to coach Luke Yaklich.

“The start was awesome,” Yaklich said. “Wes Shelby was a possessed human being.”

Sandburg’s Bryson Dagon (10) tries to get a shot off over Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Yaklich, the former Illinois-Chicago coach, is in his first season at Lincoln-Way East. Getting to know Shelby wasn’t easy at first.

“It took me a month to hear Wes’ voice in the summer,” Yaklich said. “Then he ordered Subway. He loves Subway. I finally learned what he could talk like.”

So, what’s Shelby’s sandwich of choice?

“Pepperoni and salami on Italian herbs and cheese bread,” he said. “Then I do pickles, jalapenos, green peppers, onions, mayonnaise and oregano.”

Lincoln-Way East’s Jaymon Hornsby (11) drives to the basket as Sandburg’s Will Johnson (3) during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Aside from the lunch order, Shelby’s work ethic did the talking.

“I didn’t know how much he loved basketball because he’s so quiet ,” Yaklich said. “But that dude’s in the gym at 6 a.m. three or four days a week. He’s earned it. There’s nothing lucky about Wes.

“He put himself in position to do what he did (Wednesday).”

Shelby has switched between starting and coming off the bench throughout the season, but he has been in the initial lineup the last five games.

“When I start, I know I have to bring it right away,” he said.

Down by as many as 18 points, Sandburg rallied within eight twice in the fourth quarter but could get no closer.

Lincoln-Way East’s Wes Shelby (21) finishes off a slam dunk against Sandburg during a Class 4A Sandburg Regional semifinal game in Orland Park on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

“We had to finish it off,” Hornsby said. “Being a senior in the playoffs, it makes me want to go harder. We haven’t won a regional since I was a freshman.

“I want to do it for my school and for my team and go out with a bang for my senior year.”

Shelby got things started right. He’s a relative newcomer to basketball and didn’t take the sport seriously until high school.

“I played rec basketball when I was younger, but I only started playing AAU and travel freshman year,” he said. “I used to play baseball but I didn’t make the team freshman year.

“I realized it was time to focus on basketball. I’m tall, so why not go for it? I think I’m learning every day. I started a little later, so I’ve got to work harder than everybody else.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/25/wes-shelby-lincoln-way-east-basketball/