Lake Park takes Glenbard North's best shot

Others may shrink at having the proverbial target on their back due to an undefeated record.

Not Trevor Montiel and Luke Sgarbossa.

The Lake Park seniors love it. In fact they talk about it like they can't get enough of it.

"It makes basketball that much more fun," said Montiel, who had a key 7 points and 3 rebounds in the fourth quarter in the Lancers' gritty 51-46 win over Glenbard North on Friday. "Because it's always going to be a good game."

Montiel led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed 7 boards to help Lake Park improve to 9-0 and 3-0 in the DuKane Conference.

As for Sgarbossa, who finished with 16 points, 12 in the first half, there's more to winning than a spotless record.

"I love the fact that we're getting everyone's best, every night," Sgarbossa said. "If we beat a team, especially one that's coming for us, it makes us that much better."

Lake Park had all it could handle from the improving Panthers (3-6, 1-2), who got 15 points from junior guard Matt Murray. While Lake Park struggled shooting in the third quarter, Glenbard North was hot, going 5 for 9 and took a 36-33 lead into the fourth.

But that's when Montiel took over. He scored his team's first two baskets in the period, then added a layup on an alley-oop with 3:38 to go that gave his team the lead for good. That was enhanced less than a minute later by a 3-pointer from senior Joseph Harrington.

The Panthers countered with their own 3 from junior forward Jacob Bonnema to pull to within 45-44. But the best they could do in the last 1:42 was a pair of Murray free throws.

While Lake Park coach Billy Pitcher lauded Montiel and Sgarbossa's efforts, he was compelled to walk away impressed with Glenbard North.

"Their game plan defensively, the way they attacked the basket ... we had a hard time keeping them out of the lane, and they were patient and fundamental, they didn't turn the ball over," Pitcher said. "They were really hard on us."

Of course there are no moral victories for Panthers coach Joe Larson. It was still a loss, the second of the week, but there were plenty of positives to go around.

"We're getting better," Larson said. "We're definitely getting better. Hard work by those guys in there, but obviously it was a tough loss. We were right there with them down the stretch. They just made a couple more plays there in the fourth quarter."

At 43 percent Glenbard North outshot Lake Park and outrebounded the Lancers 22-18. But it wasn't quite enough.

"We had a rough game Monday, but we were able to come together at practice, and we're getting some guys back, and we're making some really positive steps at practice," Murray said. "I think we're going to be a good team as we grow."

Seniors Joe Czaja and Montrell Perry each chipped in 7 points for Lake Park, while Bonnema and junior Jerry Abushanab each contributed 9 for the Panthers.