Glenbard West takes a chance, beats South Elgin

After Glenbard West starting senior guard Sam Noland was called for his second foul less than three minutes into Wednesday's boys basketball game against South Elgin, he immediately went to the bench.

But not for long.

Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder took a chance and Noland returned with 2:37 still left in the quarter.

"(Hoder) just said, 'Move your feet, don't reach,'" Noland said. "We knew what they wanted to do and if you get three (fouls), you get three. We got some momentum going."

By the time he drew his next foul in the third quarter, Noland had been a key component to the surge that blew the undefeated Hilltoppers past the Storm 64-51 in Glen Ellyn.

Noland finished with a season-high 13 points to complement usual top scorers Justin Pierce, who scored 19 points, and Alex Passi, who had 16.

Noland scored the final five points of the first quarter to give Glenbard West (5-0) an 18-8 advantage. He later had back-to-back baskets in an 11-2 run that extended a 33-20 halftime lead into 44-22.

The Hilltoppers led the Storm 60-35 with 3:35 left.

"I think in stretches we executed really well offensively and the kids shot pretty well. I think we got a lot of good looks just because they ran stuff well," Hoder said.

"Sam plays very much within himself. I wasn't too concerned with (his fouls). I thought he'd be able to make good decisions. (And) he's playing well for us now offensively."

So far the Hilltoppers have won five home games, all by double figures - and they've done so without any contributions from players who were part of the Class 7A championship football team.

Four of them dressed Wednesday but did not play. Hoder said more could join the varsity based on tryouts.

"We're shorthanded (still). People have got to step up. That's how it is," Noland said. "Juniors have got to step up. The seniors are playing more so it's really important to stay healthy."

While the Hilltoppers used seven players over the first three quarters, the Storm used 10 in the first quarter. Anthony Lynch finished with 12 points and Central Michigan-bound Matt Smith had 7.

South Elgin (2-3) started out by making just 5 of its first 21 shots.

"Execution. That's what it all boils down to," said first-year South Elgin coach Jim Cook.

"We didn't execute very well, and they're a very good execution team and they're super-patient with the basketball. Any time you're playing a team that's patient you have to be patient with it also. We didn't disrupt that at all."

Passi was a big force in the first half with a team-high 14 points that included 4-for-5 shooting from 3-point range.

"Our main focus this year is starting out fast. I think when we start out fast, we finally get our groove in the second quarter and taking a double-digit lead into halftime is key," Passi said.

"The first couple of games, it was a little tough. I think I was forcing shots but now we're working the ball a lot more, getting open shots."

Pierce scored 36 points in each of the first two games. Hoder was pleased that the Hilltoppers had three players in double figures after four in Saturday's victory over Hinsdale South.

"We'll be at our best when we can spread it around a little bit like that," Hoder said. "Justin is such an explosive scorer, but we have to be balanced."