Whew, that’s more like it.

A relieved Ty Rogers looked like a heavy burden had been lifted from the shoulders of the senior forward’s slender 6-foot-7 frame.

“It feels so good it gives me chills,” he said.

Rogers scored a game-high 23 points Wednesday night to lead West Aurora to a 52-29 victory over Oswego in the Hoops for Healing Tournament.

West Aurora tied with Neuqua Valley and DeKalb with identical 2-1 records in pool play, with the host Panthers finishing 0-3.

Neuqua was declared the winner by virtue of point differential and advances to the 7 p.m. Friday championship game against Oswego East (3-0), which cruised in the other pool.

West Aurora meets Hinsdale Central (2-1) in the 5:15 p.m. Friday second-place crossover game, but the improved mood was palpable.

“Last year was a struggle and I would hate to go through it again, but the growth we’ve had to this point is because of that season,” Rogers said. “As much as I hate to talk about it, last year was a big part of it.”

The start has been welcomed by the Blackhawks after coming off a 1-15 record in the shortened spring.

“These seniors have gone through a lot of struggles to get to where they’re at right now,” West Aurora coach Brian Johnson said.

Rogers made certain it was smoother sailing against the Panthers.

Kenyon Weekley, who finished with 14 points, opened the scoring for the Blackhawks with a turnaround jumper in the lane. Rogers added a putback and Savion Little had a steal and coast-to-coast layup to make it 6-0 before Mark Melton’s shot from the lane got Oswego on the board.

Rogers then scored six straight with a 3-pointer and 3-point play after getting fouled on a drive down the lane.

“The first two games I struggled

a little bit,” Rogers said.

The fact he doesn’t have any scholarship offers might have been part of that.

“Before the game, I was talking to my dad and he said, ‘Just clear your head, let the game come to you,’ ” Rogers said. “And that’s what I did. I’m feeling real good. We can always go up from here.”

At halftime, Rogers had 17 points and the Blackhawks had doubled up the Panthers for a 32-16 lead.

Rogers and Weekley each had nine rebounds to lead West Aurora to a 39-24 advantage. Fellow senior Isaiah Siler didn’t score a point but had six rebounds and a game-high five assists.

“Kenyon is like a whole new player,” Johnson said. “He’s playing hard, he’s crashing the boards, doesn’t take plays off and has been unbelievable. His maturity level has been outstanding.”

Weekley credited an offseason training regimen that included plenty of work in the weight room.

“I feel good, like I’m going to have a good run,” Weekley said. “Last season, I felt like I wasn’t in the shape I needed to be. Now, I’m in better shape, stronger and jumping higher.”

Johnson has been pleased with Siler and Little, who finished with six points off the bench.

“Both are unsung heroes all the time,” Johnson said. “They just get at it and play hard.”

Caleb Wright, meanwhile, led Oswego with 11 points.

The Blackhawks also took advantage of 22 turnovers, fueled by three steals each from Rogers and reserve guard Datavion McClain.

“Ty is continuing to get better, and he hasn’t even reached the surface of his ability,” Johnson said. “He’s going to be super talented when it’s all said and done.”

The Blackhawks will see Oswego East soon. They’re set to play host Tuesday to the Wolves in the teams’ Southwest Prairie Conference opener. If West Aurora had won the pool, it would have meant back-to-back matchups.

“You can look at it a number of ways, but it stinks not playing in the championship game,” Johnson said. “Hinsdale Central is outstanding, though, so it’s a good matchup. They play hard, well, under control and disciplined.

“We have to be careful with the ball.”