Naperville North denies Glenbard North

Jeff Powers is a man of his word.

The Naperville North boys basketball coach told his team all week whichever five guys are playing the best defense will be on the floor.

Even though it meant his lineup had to go small, Powers stood by that promise in the third quarter of the Huskies 76-62 win at Glenbard North.

As the Huskies traded size for speed, Panthers senior Anthony Keener had his way offensively, scoring 13 points in the third. Keener's effort alongside gritty post play by Glenbard North forward Brandon Clark almost helped the Panthers erase a 14-point first-half deficit.

Keener led all scorers with 23 points overall.

“I think (Glenbard North is) a good team,” Powers said. “We definitely lost Keener there a little bit.”

The Huskies (2-4, 0-1) jumped out to a comfortable lead with knockdown shooting by senior guards Jovonn Griffin and Nick Buege.

At 5-foot-11, Griffin used his quickness to pull up for jump shots, attack the rim and get to the free-throw line consistently. He finished with a team-high 21 points.

“When (Keener) went off in the third quarter we knew we just had to get back in there and focus,” Griffin said.

The balanced half-court offense was evident when 6-foot-4 senior Jon Mengel entered the game in the second quarter.

Mengel immediately had an impact by gaining high-percentage shots as the Naperville North guards found him the ball down low in the paint. He finished with 16 points.

Senior Jake DuPre added 13 points and earned the majority of his baskets after pulling down strong offense rebounds.

“Tonight we showed a lot of heart,” Buege said.

The Huskies weathered the offensive storm brought on by Keener in the third quarter and stuck with man-to-man defense for the remainder of the game.

“We went to man defense in the fourth and we did a nice job shadowing,” Powers said.

The adjustment proved successful as the Huskies held the Panthers (2-2,0-1) to just 10 fourth-quarter points.

“Knowing we can close games out gives us more confidence,” Buege said.

According to Powers, 6-foot-6 senior Matt LaCosse is three or four weeks away from returning to the Huskies' lineup.

“Once were at full strength we will be dangerous,” Buege said.

Glenbard North will host Lake Park on Tuesday night, and the Huskies return to action on the same night at Benet.

“We saw improvements today,” Powers added. “And that's what were looking for.”