Aurora Central 74, Glenbard South 61

To say the Aurora Central Catholic boys basketball team was a balanced team Friday would be quite an understatement.

More like symmetrical.

It wasn't just the five guys who scored in double figures. It was the rebounds, assists and the amazing number of blocked shots.

Everybody did everything.

It was all needed in the Chargers' 74-61 victory over Glenbard South in the Class 3A regional title game in Aurora.

With the win the Chargers (25-4) will play Tuesday against No. 1-ranked Marshall at the Riverside-Brookfield sectional semifinals.

In a game that was much, much closer than the final margin, ACC held the upper hand for the most part, but just barely.

Glenbard South (16-11) proved difficult to shake for the Chargers, who led by as many as 8 points in the first half before the Raiders whittled it down to a 1-point game by halftime.

But ACC flashed its all-around teamwork in the third to restore some semblance of a cushion. Nick Czaja set up shop down low while Anthony Kelley -- held to just 2 points in the first half -- came alive.

Kelley's 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer -- a high-arching 25-footer from in front of the ACC bench -- gave the Chargers some breathing room with a 51-45 lead entering the fourth quarter.

But Glenbard South had plenty of life, particularly in the form of Brian Smith, who came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers in a one-minute span, pulling the Raiders to within 58-55 with 4:43 to play. Smith finished with 11 points.

That's where the dividing line fell. ACC went on a 9-1 run over the next three minutes as Glenbard South went 7 straight possessions without a field goal.

"We kept executing our offense, cutting to the basket and finally got some easy baskets at the end," ACC coach Nate Drye said. "It was hard for us to get points in a hurry against their zone, but once we started scoring in the fourth and they missed a couple, it put a lot more pressure on each possession. We finally got some layups and that was the difference."

Mark Brauweiler came off the bench to help ignite the run, scoring consecutive baskets less than 30 seconds apart -- one on a midcourt hustle play to grab a loose ball and another on a cut to the basket and pinpoint pass from Mike Adams.

While Czaja and Mike Adams had their hands full down low with Glenbard South's Andy Manson, who led all scorers with 22 points, they also got their hands on a good many of the Raiders' shots.

Collectively, ACC blocked 16 Raiders shot attempts, including 7 blocked shots by Mike Adams.

"Unfortunately for us, those guys were able to neutralize our inside game," Glenbard South coach Wade Hardtke said. "There were a ton of blocked shots, and that made a big difference in the game. It was a battle from the get-go, but you've got to tip your hat to them. They're a good ballclub."