WWS shoots past Glenbard North

Play good defense and take care of the basketball and you'll have a chance. Add in some nice shooting and your chances are even better.

That's the game plan Wheaton Warrenville South went with Friday night and it worked perfectly in the first half against visiting Glenbard North. The Tigers had just 4 turnovers through two quarters, held the Panthers (5-11, 3-4) to single digits in each of the first two quarters, and dropped in five 3-pointers while taking a 31-16 lead at the half on their way to a 58-43 DVC home victory.

Sophomore Reilly O'Toole had an early 3-pointer and followed it up with a base-line drive to the basket for a quick 7-0 lead for the Tigers, who improved to 11-6 overall and 4-3 in league play. Dan Phillip, who along with Greg McAndrew spent a good portion of the night hassling the Panthers' James Fleming with tight defense, also connected from long range as Wheaton Warrenville South took a 15-8 lead after the opening frame.

"Our team defense is really good and Dan and Greg really did a great job on Fleming," said O'Toole, who paced the Tigers with 16 points and 4 rebounds in the game. "Plus we hit a lot of shots in the first half, which helped."

With Will Dolatowski scoring 5 points on two field goal attempts in the second quarter the Tigers outscored their visitors 16-8, which meant they tallied as many points in the quarter as Glenbard North totaled in the first half. Neither squad made a free throw in first half, but the Tigers shot 13-for-25 from the floor while the Panthers went 8 of 16.

"We defend," Tigers coach Mike Healy said matter of factly. "You always have a chance if you defend. James Fleming is a great basketball player and to hold him (to 4 points)-that kind of set the tone."

Glenbard North went more to its pressing, trapping defense in the second half and the quicker tempo helped forward Reggie Davis break out for 13 second-half points to finish with a team-best 15. But the Panthers' play also sent the Tigers to the free-throw line much more frequently in the second half and the hosts knocked down more than enough of their freebies to seal the victory.

Phillip went 5 of 6 from the line in the fourth quarter to finish with 8 points and Dolatowski hit all 4 of his foul attempts in the second half while scoring 9 points on the night.