Roaring out of the gates: What’s behind Glenbard North’s hot start?

Thirty-three wins, 135 losses.

That was the combined record of Glenbard North’s basketball teams from 2014-20. Included in that stretch were campaigns of 0-26 and 3-20 in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

After the COVID-shortened 2020 season, however, things began to turn around as the Panthers went a combined 30-33.

And this season? Well, let’s just say Glenbard North is one of the best stories in the area, winning its first eight games before dropping a 49-45 heartbreaker to Lake Park (8-1) on Friday.

“We always knew we could be competitive,” said Kevin Tonn, who is in his third year as head coach. “And like I’ve been preaching – just work on being competitive day in and day out. They’ve done that. I’ve liked the way we’ve played so far.”

So why is this happening? Let’s take a look …

Strong leadership

Tonn, who was hired in 2021, is a 2006 Wheaton North graduate who played collegiately at Hope College in Michigan and Lewis University. He understands two tenets of successful programs are getting everyone to buy into off-season programs and getting players to understand little things lead to winning.

Case in point: At Tuesday’s practice, the kids were running a three-man weave that won’t end until 15 straight layups are made without the ball hitting the floor. There was a lack of fire and precision, however, so a frustrated Tonn stopped the drill and made the kids run.

“There’s a lot that goes into being successful and one is great leadership at the top,” said assistant coach Gary Heilers, who has been at Glenbard North for 29 years. “Kevin sets the example for our kids of what it takes to win and he sets the expectation to win.

“The other part is our kids accept it. In the news now, coaches are getting beat up a little bit. Our kids accept what we’re trying to do and they’re fully bought in.”

Strong coaches also know how to connect with players individually while also getting their points across to the group. Forward J.J. Hernandez said Tonn excels at both.

“He has a strong bond with every single player on our team,” Hernandez said. “It all transfers over. How you are with a player personally, it really affects how they will play and practice.

“He obviously has his moments where he’s hard on us and wants us to be better. But there are still times where he’s cool and showing that other side of him. That’s what really makes him a good coach.”

New kid on the block

After a 15-16 campaign last year, Glenbard North had a strong core coming back in the 6-foot-7 Hernandez, sophomore Josh Abushanab and 3-point specialist Jack Schager.

While they’ve all improved and grown together, this terrific start has also been fueled by the addition of Jalen Crues, a senior who transferred from Wheaton North. The 6-5 Crues (16.6 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game) is a jack of all trades, driving and attacking mismatches, hitting 3-pointers, rebounding with authority, hammering down crowd-pleasing dunks and guarding any of the opponents’ players.

“Sometimes when you get a transfer in they can be a big disruption,” Heilers said. “He’s been the opposite. He fits right in with us. He was here this morning shooting with me at 6 o’clock. We haven’t had a single issue as far as team morale because everyone’s accepted him.”

Crues said it was his decision to transfer, and that the transition was easy because he knew a few guys by playing with them at open gyms.

“I’ve been tight with J.J.,” Crues said. “It was a smooth transition. I don’t have any hate toward Wheaton North or anything. They’re also doing very good. It’s just positive – no negative things.”

No dominant player

Glenbard North’s biggest strength is balance.

“We’re not spearheaded by one guy” Tonn said. “At different times and on different nights it’s a different guy. It’s been fun to watch that development.”

To wit:

∎ Hernandez has gone from primarily a center to a perimeter threat, knocking down 44% of his 3-pointers. Tonn says Hernandez is also “an absolute disrupter defensively,” getting in passing lanes and re-directing or blocking shots around the rim. “When he’s on,” said Tonn, “he can be an ultimate player on both sides of the floor.”

∎ Josh Abushanab, who is 6-foot-4 and still growing, struggled at times as a freshman varsity starter but has blossomed so quickly that he was one of the primary reasons Glenbard North won the District 87 Thanksgiving Tournament to start the year. Tonn thought Abushanab should have been on the all-tournament team, and told him exactly that. Abushanab’s reaction? “Doesn’t matter – as long as we got the team plaque.”

The sophomore is a born leader, speaking up in practices and games. He’s also not committing as many turnovers because things have slowed down for him. “Last year he and coach had some ups and down with him turning the ball over and stuff like that,” Hernandez said. “This year he’s really matured and improved his game overall. I can really see it.”

∎ Jack Schager is a 6-foot junior guard who comes to school at 5:30 a.m. on non-game days to shoot. He’s joined by his eight-grade brother and figures he takes about 300 shots most mornings. “Hardest working kid I know,” Tonn said. “He’s a menace on the defensive end. He leads our team in charges (taken).”

Schager, who is connecting on 39% of his 3-pointers, wants to work on extending his range beyond just a foot or two behind the line. “As I get older kids are going to be more up in my grill trying to contest my shot,” he said.

∎ Then there’s Crues, who can be a matchup nightmare because of his size and versatility. “Usually he’s guarded by other team’s tallest guy,” Tonn said. “A lot of times it’s a mismatch because of his ability to beat guys off the dribble. He’s not just a back-you-down post guy.”

As noted before, Crues has also seamlessly fit in off the court thanks to his terrific sense of humor.

“He finds a way to turn everything into a joke,” Hernandez said. “He’s just a funny guy. Our bonding this year is what’s really helping us.”

How far can they go?

It’s been a decade since Glenbard North advanced out of regionals, with the 2013-14 squad finishing 24-6 after losing in the supersectionals.

Asked how far these Panthers could go, Crues paused for a moment and looked back at his teammates as they practiced.

When he turned around, he said: “Honestly, if we play like we’re playing now and we keep our motor high and push through no matter what adversity we go up against? We can go really far.”

Of course, Tonn notes there’s “a lot of season left,” with difficult conference DuKane Conference matchups, a date against York (7-2) and an “absolutely loaded” York Christmas tournament to take part in.

“We’ll face a bunch of well-coached teams that play really hard,” Tonn said. “So any give night if you don’t bring it and you’re not on there’s a chance things don’t go your way.

“Definitely not satisfied with our start and we definitely don’t take it for granted.”