Something different happening at Glenbard West
For the past several years, you wouldn't exactly call Glenbard West's boys basketball team a fast starter.
That's all changed this season.
In the midst of an 18-day layoff before hosting their own holiday tournament starting on Dec. 27, the Hilltoppers are off to their best start in years with a 6-0 record.
Glenbard West definitely has earned its mini-vacation.
"It's a whole different culture now, it's really coming together," said senior forward Mac Corbin. "We're just rolling now and we want to keep it going."
This kind of start is so rare for the Hilltoppers that coach Tim Hoder is having a difficult time figuring out the last time the program was 6-0.
He knows of the 1973 team that notched the best record in school history started 9-0. The 1998 team that won 19 games and the 2007 sectional championship team each lost a game at Thanksgiving.
While the records are sketchy, Hoder believes this may be the program's best start since 1973.
One thing is definite. It's an incredible improvement from the past four seasons when the Hilltoppers started with a combined record of 7-22, including a 1-15 start the last two years.
"When it comes right down to it, it's our seniors," Hoder said. "They're confident and it just means so much to them. They're not going to quit. That's leadership."
This is clearly a different Glenbard West team. It even sounds different.
After each win a portable stereo system blares from the locker room. It's a testament to the chemistry within this group not to mention the fun they're having.
"This is my fourth run at it, and the camaraderie of the guys is the best it's ever been," said leading scorer Michael Mache, who along with twin brother Matthew has been on the varsity since his freshman year. "We're united as one. I know myself and all the seniors want to make this last run the best."
If you notice an emphasis on the seniors, it's no coincidence. There's an immense amount of experience on this team, a senior class that went 50-1 in junior high, according to Michael Mache.
Seniors Egan Montgomery, Kevin Loftus, Justin Taylor, Pat Mazza, Corbin and the Maches all bring back varsity experience. Add in returning junior guard Jeff Levesque and newcomer Vernon Harris, and this Hilltoppers team boasts a bit of everything.
Most of all, though, there's a tremendous amount of size. The Maches are 6-foot-6, while Mazza is 6-8 and Harris 6-6. It's a tough matchup for just about any opposing team.
"It's a whole different attitude," Montgomery said. "We all knew that it'd be better than last year, but this is going great. We're having a great time."
The start of this season's run actually began at the end of last season when the Hilltoppers, seeded 21st in the Class 4A East Aurora sectional, upset No. 11 Oswego East and No. 6 Waubonsie Valley en route to the Glenbard East regional final.
Six overtime games last season capped by the win over Oswego East toughened a group that has carried over that energy to this season.
"I think last year's run definitely helped us," Montgomery said. "It really showed us that this group of guys can do a lot."
As the Hilltoppers showed last season, though, the success of a season boils down to how you finish and not how you start.
Wins over Proviso West and Lyons Twp. have given Glenbard West strong early position to make a run at the West Suburban Silver title. And if that happens, the Hilltoppers no doubt will receive a significantly higher sectional seed than in the past few years.
The Hilltoppers enjoyed playing the role of underdog, but they wouldn't mind being favored for a change.
Glenbard West is quickly learning how much more fun the view is from the top.
"We're not looking at just tonight or the next night, we're looking at the big picture," Mache said. "We're a few steps up the ladder, and we want to stay up there."
kschmit@dailyherald.com