Scouting Glenbard East vs. Downers South

By Kevin Schmit

Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinals

No. 3 Glenbard East (24-3) vs. No. 2 Downers South (25-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at East Aurora High School.

Road to the sectional: Glenbard East beat No. 19 Naperville Central, 69-64, and No. 21 Glenbard West, 72-47. Downers South beat No. 18 Glenbard North, 54-51, and No. 10 WW South, 68-52.

Outlook: With three new starters Glenbard East has built around its two Division I-caliber players. Six-foot-three Johnny Hill, committed to Illinois State, has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered in the regional semifinals. Averaging 20.4 points per game, he fuels an offense averaging 73 points. Northern Illinois-bound point guard Zach Miller has run the show for four years, and he'll be relied upon to counter Downers South's three-guard attack. Because Downers South presents the most-balanced starting lineup in the sectional, Glenbard East's role players all must step up. That's what they did in Friday's regional final. Rams coach Scott Miller believes forwards Dante Bailey and Kevin Priebe and guard Tyree York enjoyed their best game of the season. If Priebe and York complement Miller's perimeter shooting, Downers South's defense will be severely tested. Defense, however, is exactly what the Mustangs play best. Winners of 18 straight, the Mustangs have allowed fewer than 50 points 11 times. All five starters average at least 9 points per game, although explosive guard Jerron Wilbut is the offensive powerhouse at 15 points a game. Point guard Dan Jurgutis, a St. Joseph transfer, has been the perfect addition to the lineup. The X-factor might be 6-8 Mustangs center Ziggy Riauka. Averaging 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds, he'll be a tough matchup for the Rams' smaller lineup, which answers with quickness.

Advancement: Winner advances to play No. 4 East Aurora (24-5) in Friday's sectional final.