Glenbard North overtakes ACC in 2nd half

Glenbard North was not exactly standing around in the first half of Tuesday's game, but when compared to the second half, it might look that way.

With Aurora Central Catholic controlling the pace - and taking a 29-23 lead on a basket by Joey McEachern early in the third quarter - the Panthers just seemed a little out of whack in second-round action at Waubonsie Valley's Warrior Christmas Classic.

But things changed drastically in the second half as Glenbard North raced up and down the floor for 52 second-half points en route to a 74-59 defeat of the Chargers for their fifth straight win and second in a row at the holiday tourney.

"We knew we had to press them more," Panthers coach Joe Larson said. "We weren't playing with the pace that we like. That (run) is what we like to do."

You won't find any arguments from Glenbard North seniors James Fleming and Reggie Davis, who combined for 50 points against ACC (6-4), 39 of which came over the final two quarters.

"Coach stressed to us that we had to pressure the ball more in the second half," said Fleming, who scored 24 second-half points to finish with a season-high 33. "Aurora is a very good team. But when we run we get a lot of layups and today I got as lot of layups. The guys were setting a lot of good screens for me."

The Chargers, paced by four 3-pointers and 19 points from Joey Guth, led 13-11 after one quarter and 27-22 at the half before Glenbard North (6-3) took over in the second half. Three other Chargers scored in double figures, including Paul Kaminski, who had 13 points and 9 rebounds off the bench.

"In the second half he (Fleming) put up some big numbers," ACC coach Nathan Drye said. "We had to come out and chase, which was not in the game plan. He's obviously very good at putting the ball on the floor and doing some things with it."

Fleming drained a pair of 3s while scoring 10 of the Panthers' 28 points in the third quarter, but many of his 11 second-half field goals came on layups or 10-foot turnaround jumpers that the Chargers just could not stop.

"Against their 2-3 zone in the second half we wanted to give him the ball as much as possible in the middle," Larson said. "He's very good in there, but the guys did a good job getting him the ball."

Fleming did not do it all by himself. Davis scored 17 points, Anthony Keener had 8, Alex Smith 7 and Mike Carev connected on a pair of 3-pointers.

"We like having a team with some options. As you see out there, we have some guys out there who can score," Larson said.

Steve Hollon had 14 points and McEachern added 11 points and 6 boards for ACC, which had dropped its Green Division tourney opener Monday to Plainfield Central.