Free throws lift Conant past Glenbard West in 2 OT
Conant put on a tutorial Wednesday night in the importance of making free throws.
The Cougars made their first 14 free throws in the second overtime to pull away from host Glenbard West 63-58 in their Class 4A regional semifinal in Glen Ellyn.
"That's amazing," Hilltoppers coach Tim Hoder said. "Absolutely amazing."
"It would've been nice to make a few more in regulation, but we're a good free-throw shooting team," added Conant coach Tom McCormack.
Conant (14-13), the sectional's 11th seed, made 28 of 35 at the free-throw line in the game, but two of those misses came when shooting three with 5.0 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
"I'm really proud the kids hung in there," McCormack said. "We didn't panic. It was a one- or two-possession game. We got good shots. (Guard Josh) Copher, the guy who missed those two free throws, came back with a huge 3 in the first overtime, and he was a guy who made a bunch of those free throws down the stretch."
Copher made 6 of 6 at the line in the second overtime, finishing with 10 points. Tim Manczko led Conant with 25 points, and Sean Bourke added 19 before fouling out in the first overtime.
"Conant plays very, very hard," Hoder said. "They played some matchup, they played some man, so we had to be prepared for both. They were tough. They got to loose balls, they were very aggressive defensively, they made free throws like crazy. They were tough."
They had to be tough considering the height disadvantage the Cougars faced. The Glenbard West front line goes 6-foot-8, 6-6, 6-6.
"Just coming out looking at them, it's, oh, wow, 6-6, 6-8," an exhausted Manczko said. "As you got into it, just like any other game yoiu've got to box out. If it's a 5-4 guy or a 6-8 guy, you've got to box out the same way. And if you don't box out, they're going to make you pay."
It was a tough end to the season for Glenbard West, which won its first 10 games and tournaments at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Michael Mache scored 25 and grabbed 9 rebounds to lead sixth-seeded Glenbard West (15-11). Pat Mazza added 10 points.
Conant advanced to play Mid-Suburban League rival Schaumburg in Friday's regional final.
"We'll think about that starting on the bus ride home," McCormack said.