Long layoff shows in Hilltoppers' loss to York

Glenbard West's boys basketball team had not played a game since Dec. 26, when it squared off against York in a West Suburban Silver game on Friday. Hilltoppers forward Tyler Warden admitted the team played a little rusty at first, but he said they were really looking forward to playing another team after the 20-day layoff.

The visiting Dukes just played with more energy. That factor combined with clutch free-throw shooting and the play of sophomore guard Will Sullivan down the stretch was the difference as they captured a 40-35 victory over Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn.

Sullivan poured in 10 of his game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a 6-for-8 effort from the foul line. Teammate Tom Roth also sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final eight minutes.

"(Sullivan) hit some big shots and got in the flow of the game early on," said York coach Al Biancalana. "We did have great energy. We really needed this win."

Guard Evan Fendley also scored 10 points for the Dukes (7-8, 2-3), including a pair of 3-pointers.

The Hilltoppers (6-7, 2-2) fell behind early. They trailed 25-15 early in the third quarter but rallied with some quick strike points to get close. Guard Bryant Venson hit a 3-pointer. Warden followed that long-range shot with a steal and took it down the court himself, finishing off the play with a thundering dunk. Venson then stole the ball at midcourt and fed Warden who slammed another one home as Glenbard West pulled within 3 points.

"We really needed to kick it in gear before it was too late," said Warden, who scored a team-high 8 points.

"We needed to create the energy and Tyler is able to do this," added Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder. "He is athletic."

In the fourth quarter the teams traded buckets. The Hilltoppers stayed close and were one shot away from tying the game on three occasions in the final 51 seconds. Guard Dave McCaffrey hit a 3-pointer. Backcourt mate Kevin Smith also hit a clutch shot in the paint. But Glenbard West just couldn't seem to get the key shot to fall, and York kept ahead by getting it done from the free-throw line.

Sullivan was fouled as York looked to stop the clock and he made them pay in the bonus situation by making 4 of 4 foul shots in the final 29 seconds.

"(York's) free-throw shooting was so good," Warden said.

"York has good shooters and we let them have good looks," Holder said. "We didn't attack and play with the same kind of aggressiveness. It was a little too late. They were more aggressive in the end."

Statistics told part of the story. As a team, the Hilltoppers were 2 for 7 from the free-throw line while the Dukes were 13 for 18.

When asked what positives he took away from the game, Holder said, "It was good to play again."

Glenbard West gets a chance to hoop it up again tonight when it looks to bounce back in a nonconference game at St. Charles East.