LaVere, Glenbard North learning to finish
Behind Nick LaVere's game-high 27 points, Glenbard North's boys basketball team moved a win away from the Glenbard West Holiday Classic title game with Tuesday's 61-46 victory over Leyden.
Two straight tournament wins have been the perfect remedy for the Panthers' rough start to the season. If the Panthers beat Hoffman Estates - also 2-0 in White Pool play - on Wednesday, they'll play in Saturday's title game.
"We've been playing a whole game," LaVere said. "We've led in some of the games we lost but in the fourth quarter we just gave out. Now we're finishing games."
Glenbard North (3-6) trailed Leyden (3-7) 17-12 early before blowing the game open with 10 straight points to close the first quarter, then outscoring the Eagles 19-4 in the second quarter to build a 41-21 halftime lead. LaVere proved unstoppable at times, especially in the first quarter when he scored 13 points.
No one else reached double-figure scoring for Glenbard North, but there were plenty of contributions. The Panthers forced 17 turnovers including seven in the second and fourth quarter. Mike Matkovic had 5 steals.
"We fueled our energy with scoring and the key was our defense," said junior forward Myles Moore. "We kept getting the loose ball, boxing out and rebounding, and we didn't let them get second chances."
Leyden's Tony Lemon knocked down three 3-pointers while trying to spark a rally with 11 third-quarter points. He finished with 16 points, DeAndre Williams had 12 and Adrian Guerrero 11 points.
"Our guards on the perimeter really turned it up defensively," said Panthers coach Joe Larson. "We made it tough on them to get it inside."
Glenbard West 63, Willowbrook 36:
The Hilltoppers (10-0) easily clinched a spot in Saturday's title game with a devastating 25-5 first-half run against Willowbrook (3-6).
Justin Pierce led all scorers with 23 points and 10 rebounds in three quarters. Alex Passi and Connor O'Shea each had 8 points while Sam Noland and Nick Diver added 7 points apiece.
"We're focusing on defense and rebounding right now," Noland said. "We knew they were a good shooting team so we had to be ready for that. Quick starts are very important. If you can get a team down early it's tougher for them to come back."
Sophomore Ethan Schuemer had another strong tournament game for Willowbrook, leading the Warriors with 11 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Hilltoppers, though, outrebounded Willowbrook 33-24 overall.
"We knew they were dangerous because we saw how they can shoot the ball," Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder said of the Warriors' 12 3-pointers on Monday. "I'm pleased with how we did defensively."
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