Slow start can't keep Glenbard East down

Glenbard East looked like it was well on its way to a loss after a listless, turnover-plagued first quarter against Rockford Auburn in the Elgin Holiday Tournament semifinals.

Funny what a 17-point run can do for a team.

Fueled by pinpoint 3-point shooting, a renewed defense and great work on the glass by senior Lee Skinner and junior Jon Hill, the Rams turned a 17-6 deficit into a 23-19 lead only four minutes into the second quarter.

Skinner had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Hill added 14 points and 8 boards, and guard Zach Miller scored a game-high 22 points as Glenbard pulled away late to defeat the Knights 71-57 Wednesday night.

The Rams will play Neuqua Valley in the title game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

So what happened in that first quarter, when Glenbard East looked nothing like the team that had defeated Larkin by 35 points Tuesday in the quarterfinals?

"We came out flat, with no answers and no energy," Miller said. "That's what we talked about after the first quarter and even at halftime - picking up our energy, letting our defense lead our offense, and regaining our focus."

The Rams were able to do just that, holding Auburn scoreless thru the first four minutes of the 2nd quarter while scoring 17 straight, including a couple of 3s from Miller.

Two more 3-pointers from guard Jack Merrithey helped lead Glenbard to a 32-25 halftime lead.

"We're an unselfish team," Skinner said. "We're a family and we focus on team chemistry, and we used that to bounce back."

Glenbard East (10-1) maintained a healthy lead until the 4th quarter when Auburn, behind Joseph Danforth and Fred VanVleet crept to within 6 points late.

But Hill stemmed the tide with a rebound and putback then after a Rams steal, Hill was fouled and hit 2 free throws to push the lead to 63-53 and put the game away.

Shawn Havenga added 5 points for the Rams.

"We did not get off to a good start," said Glenbard East coach Scott Miller. "To Auburn's credit, they were able to hit some shots early. But we tightened it up, and switched up our defense which limited them to one shot (each possession)."

And the Rams know that they won't be able to survive a beginning like this Saturday against Neuqua.

"They're a great team," Skinner said. "We can't afford to come out flat aginst them. But we know what we've got to do."