Glenbard West falters against Lyons Twp.

The Glenbard West Hilltoppers can't forget to do their homework, and someone will be sure to remind them to clear their dirty dishes from the kitchen table.

But the sooner they forget about Friday night's 79-36 loss to visiting Lyons Twp. the better.

To Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder, the game was a learning experience, with the Lions teaching the home team where it has to improve.

“At the same time you kind of have to forget about the scoreboard a little bit because the game is over, you have to put it behind us and try to stay positive,” Hoder said, “because it got out of control there.”

The Lions (4-1, 1-0 West Suburban Silver) took a double-digit lead in the first quarter before Matthew Marston's halfcourt buzzer-beater cut the score to 17-10. But the Hilltoppers (1-5, 0-2) couldn't build any momentum on that 3-pointer, falling behind 42-17 at halftime.

“We needed to do a better job of challenging shots and especially getting back in transition,” Hoder said. “We didn't do a real good job of that, and it's disappointing because it's been a point of emphasis for us getting back in our transition defense.”

The lopsided nature of the game even took Lions coach Tom Sloan by surprise.

“Yeah, I really was (surprised),” Sloan said. “Glenbard has big, talented, athletic kids, and I think the fact that we got it going early made a big difference for us. Our guys had that confidence and we were able to force them out of probably what they wanted to do in the halfcourt. Got the game going up and down the floor a little bit more, which was a little bit of an advantage for us tonight.

“So I was definitely surprised it was as big of a margin as it was, especially as quickly as it happened.”

Junior Matthew Mache came off the bench to lead the Hilltoppers with 11 points, but his brother Michael, the team's leading scorer, was held to 2 points as he struggled with a sprained ankle.

“Having Michael out really hurts our offense,” Hoder said. “That's 22 points a game lost.”

Lyons Twp. senior guards Nick Zeisloft and Spencer Mahoney were unstoppable, combining to score all 17 of the Lions' first-quarter points. Zeisloft finished with 18 and Mahoney 12, with neither scoring after halftime.

The Hilltoppers play against tonight at Naperville Central in a nonconference game.