Glenbard South quiets Kaneland for first victory

The sounds said it all the roars coming from Glenbard South's locker room and the silence on Kaneland's side.

The Raiders whooped it up Tuesday after a 62-46 win over Kaneland, a game they led by 11 points after the first quarter and were never seriously challenged after that.

Joe Harks paced three Raiders (1-4) in double figures with 16 points, then joined a postgame celebration fitting of a team hungry for its first win.

“We were just crazy in there,” Harks said. “It's just a great feeling after those four losses. Hopefully we get momentum from now on with this win.”

Kaneland (3-2) was the team that entered with three straight wins. Senior Chaon Denlinger scored the first 5 points, and that turned out to be the Knights' last lead of the night when Harks scored to put the Raiders ahead 6-5 midway through the first quarter.

Harks followed with a 3-pointer on the Raiders' next trip as they started to extend their lead. They were aggressive attacking the basket, getting to the bonus with 2:38 left in the first quarter and then again by the 1:19 mark of the third quarter.

By the end of one Glenbard South led 21-10.

“We came out and played aggressive,” Glenbard South coach Wade Hardtke said. “We have been talking about setting a tempo or tone early on and I thought tonight we did that. We maintained it as well. I think we made some big steps tonight.”

The Raiders finished 18 of 30 at the free-throw line while the Knights struggled making just 10 of 21.

“That is what we have been doing in practice, driving and going North-South,” Harks said. “We try to get to the hoop and know that we will get fouled or make the shot.”

Kaneland coach Brian Johnson went deep to his bench in the first half, resting several starters with 2 fouls including senior Tyler Callaghan who only played the first 1:21 before getting his second. The Knights also had trouble holding onto the ball, turning it over 14 times in the first half.

“I think that's just a growing thing we have to get through,” Johnson said. “Early on the first four games we have been pretty solid taking care of the ball but we weren't mentally ready tonight. I take part of the blame on that and I know the guys take part of the blame.”

Trever Heinle, the 10th man in for Kaneland, gave the Knights a lift and helped keep them within 32-22 at halftime. Matt Cowans made a pinpoint pass to Denlinger for a backdoor layup that just beat the second-quarter buzzer.

Heinle (team-high 11 points, 3 steals) earned himself a start in the third quarter, and freshman point guard Drew David's pull-up jumper cut the Raiders' lead to 32-24.

That was the last time Glenbard South led by less than 10. A Dan Marshall basket and Jessie Larabee's 3-point play ignited a 15-6 Raiders run for a 47-30 lead. Glenbard South led by at least 17 points throughout the final quarter while earning Johnson's praise.

“We hadn't played a team as physical, as athletic, as strong as Glenbard,” Johnson said. “You don't come out with intensity, you don't come to another team's gym ready to play, and they put it on you. And that's what Glenbard South did. They didn't let up.”

Larabee and Matt Jeske joined Harks in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Glenbard South shot over 50 percent from the field, 21 of 39.

“We played with heart this game,” Harks said. “We played our game and came out real strong. Me being a senior leader, we've been getting at people making mistakes (in practice). I felt we cut them down a lot tonight.”

Ten different players scored for the Knights, including baskets in the final minute by Bryan VanBogaert and Andrew O'Herron. Kaneland freshman Daniel Helm followed a 20-point game Friday at Morris with 10 points, showing his strength by getting to the free-throw line 12 times. Matt Spitzzeri pulled down 11 rebounds, nearly half of Kaneland's team total.

“Anytime you have some young guys up playing major minutes they are going to have some real lows and some real big highs,” Johnson said. “Against Morris was one end of the spectrum when they played really well and today they struggled at times. That is kind of a growing process.”