Waubonsie passes Glenbard North in the end

It could have gone either way the boys basketball game between Waubonsie Valley and Glenbard North or the contested pass between players from each team.

Waubonsie's Jakobi Johnson snatched teammate Tyler Edmondson's long two-handed pass from Glenbard North guard Anthony Keener and tied the score on a layup.

It was part of a 17-5 closing run that enabled Waubonsie Valley (7-3) to beat the Panthers 64-56 to start the 27th annual Waubonsie Valley Matt Laurich Memorial Christmas Classic on Monday afternoon in Aurora.

"If he had thrown it and (Keener) intercepted it, it would have been my fault partially because I wouldn't have gone for it. Me going for the ball, I made it a good play," said Johnson, who followed with a rebound and coast-to-coast layup off a Panthers miss the next time downcourt.

Glenbard North (5-3) trailed 22-15 at the end of the first quarter but tied the game 32-32 at halftime.

The scored remained tied, 45-45, entering the fourth quarter when it appeared Glenbard North would finish strong. Brandon Clark got the Panthers' second straight steal and dished to Keener for a 51-47 lead.

Then Waubonsie hit the boards and played defense.

Warriors coach Steve Weemer said, "At the end of the third quarter I just said, 'Guys, this is the fourth game now that we've been either tied or down 2, and we're 0-3. So it's time.'"

Jared Brownridge scored a game-high 20 points to lead Waubonsie, followed by Edmondson with 10. Clark scored 19 points to lead Glenbard North, ahead of Josh Fleming and Matthew Pemberton with 12 and 10 points, respectively.