Girls basketball: Glenbrook North edges Glenbard West for title at St. Viator’s Blenner Classic
When senior forward Makenna Yeager hit her second 3-pointer of the game with 1:23 left, it was 'game on' for the championship of the 41st annual St. Viator Blenner Classic in Arlington Heights on Friday afternoon.
Yeager's big shot pulled her Glenbard West team, which had trailed by 7, to within 42-41 of defending tourney champ Glenbrook North.
But the Spartans (12-3) answered by making 8 of 10 free throws in the final 1:14 to record a 50-43 triumph in the Call Gymnasium.
"It feels great winning this tournament again," said Glenbrook North senior guard Jami De Guzman, who made 3 of 4 free throws at the end. "I've been on the varsity since my sophomore year so this feels great. This season, we are playing as a team and I love that. We are not selfish and we are passing the ball. We just want to win the game, that's all."
Glenbrook North's final 10 points came on free throws.
"During practice we play this little game where everyone shoots 25 free throws," said all-tourney selection De Guzman, who tossed in a team-high 16 points with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. "I shoot them pretty well and I think that because of our competition in practice (De Guzman is currently in the top spot of their practice game)."
"We can shoot free throws," said Spartans coach Nick Capalbo who is assisted by hall of famer and Prospect grad Steve Weissenstein. "We work on them at every practice and we've been unbelievable so far. I'd say at about 75% right now."
For the Hilltoppers, Yeager, who was all-tourney along with classmate Julia Benjamin, finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds and a blocked shot.
Ellie Noble, who scored the game's first points with a 3-pointer and closed out the half with a beautiful scoop layin while falling to the floor, added 7 points for Glenbard West while Benjamin had 5 points with 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 rebounds.
"We definitely had some tough losses here (2-2 with their other loss to Grayslake Central)," Yeager said. "It was a tough fight in each and we have things to work on but it's what comes in the future, not what is happening now.
"Glenbrook North is a really tough team. We lost to them here last year, too. I think we have to come out stronger. Everyone worked together and as hard as they could but there is still something else in us that we can do."
Glenbard West did lead at half 20-16 but GN came out with a 3-pointer from Sloan Berman (6 points) and a coast-to coast layup by junior all-tourney selection Kaya Schneider (11 points) off a deflection by De Guzman to put the Spartans in front 21-20 less than a minute into the third quarter.
A 3-pointer by De Guzman with 55 seconds left in the period put the Spartans up 35-28, their biggest lead until 2 free throws by junior Sophia Gochis (12 points) made it 49-41 with 23.8 seconds left.
"The girls did a great job," said Capalbo, who is in his sixth season. "They were so excited to win this and it is our best start since I've been here. And we had a really great team last year, too. We're having a lot of fun."
The Hilltoppers stand at 11-4 under coach Kristi Faulkner, a former standout guard for Glenbard West.
"Glenbrook North was pretty mentally tough and I think that's what we are continuing to work on," said Faulkner, whose team was 7 of 9 at the line with Yeager making 5 of 6. "I don't know what their free-throw percentage was but it seemed like they really knocked them down (20-of-30). Credit to them. They played a complete game and they took home the championship."
Led by senior Madison's Hoffman's 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, Grayslake Central took third place with a 40-32 win over St. Viator, which was led by freshman Ava Garcia (12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists).
Mundelein was led by Casey Vyverman (19 points, 3 rebounds) in a 50-41 win over Metea Valley for fifth place. Metea Valley was paced by Payton Giannone, Sydney Quival and Annie Burke (9 points each).
Seventh place went to Vernon Hills, a 45-18 winner over Wheeling.