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St. Francis has fun against Willowbrook

St. Francis shifted from run-and-gun to run-and-fun on Wednesday.

Feeding off its up-tempo style of play, the Spartans' boys basketball team topped Willowbrook 66-53 in the final round of pool play at the Glenbard West Holiday Classic.

St. Francis (4-7), bouncing back from an opening-round loss with two straight wins, plays Glenbard North for third place in the tournament at 6:15 p.m. Saturday. Willowbrook (3-7) faces Leyden in the fifth-place game at 4:30 p.m.

"It's a pretty simple principle, we're trying to get a high-percentage layup on a fast break," said Spartans coach Erin Dwyer. "And it's fun. The kids love it. When they get going like they did tonight, it helps."

An 8-0 run near the start of the second quarter, highlighted by 3-pointers by Will Purdom and Gabriel Johnson, pushed the Spartans to a 31-18 lead - an advantage that stayed in double digits the rest of the game.

St. Francis knocked down six 3-pointers, but a good chunk of the offense came in transition as the Spartans worked for quick buckets. Johnson especially took advantage with three three-point play opportunities on his way to a game-high 20 points.

Tim Lilly scored 8 of his 15 points in the first quarter for the Spartans and Purdom tallied 12 points. Ethan Schuemer scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 4 shots for Willowbrook.

"Moving the ball and knowing where everyone else is on the court, that's why our offense ran so well," Johnson said. "We've stepped up as a team in general. Everyone's bringing each other up out there."

Glenbard West 55, Northridge Prep 38:

Justin Pierce scored 16 points to soar past the 1,000-point mark as the Hilltoppers (11-0) advanced to the title game of the Glenbard West Holiday Classic with a 55-38 win over Northridge Prep.

Sam Noland added 10 points for Glenbard West, which finished atop the Green Pool standings with three straight wins. The Hilltoppers led 11-7 after a quarter, but extended their halftime lead to 30-17 and led 45-28 heading to the fourth quarter.

Glenbard West plays White Pool champion Hoffman Estates in the tournament championship game at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Hoffman Estates 45, Glenbard North 41:

Jorden Thornton made only one shot, but his timing was perfect.

The senior guard, who sat much of the first half with foul trouble, knocked down a clutch 3-pointer with 50 seconds left to put Hoffman Estates ahead to stay in Wednesday's 45-41 victory over Glenbard North in the Glenbard West Holiday Classic.

It was the third straight win for the Hawks (6-8) in the White Pool and advances Hoffman Estates into an 8 p.m. Saturday title game against unbeaten Green Pool champion Glenbard West.

"We never lack confidence," Thornton said. "That's something we always strive for. We always keep that confidence and stay together as a family and a unit."

With the score knotted at 30 apiece after three quarters, three fourth-quarter runs dictated the outcome. The Hawks opened with a 6-0 run, only to be answered with a four-minute scoring drought and a 9-0 Glenbard North burst that put the Panthers (3-7) ahead 39-36 with 1:37 left.

Thornton scored 7 of his 8 points in the next minute, including 4-of-4 free-throw shooting to put his team ahead 43-39. After Tee White scored for Glenbard North, Lamont McIntosh sealed the Hawks' win with a pair of free throws.

Brandon Hall led a balanced Hawks effort with 10 points as five other players scored between 4 and 9 points. Nick LaVere led Glenbard North, which plays St. Francis in the tournament's third-place game at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, with 13 points.

"We never panicked," said Hoffman Estates coach Luke Yanule. "I loved our composure. Ten seniors on this team, and it shows. I'm immensely proud of our effort, our teamwork and our togetherness."

Leyden 56, Wheaton Academy 47:

Leyden held off a late Wheaton Academy rush to win 56-47.

Leyden (4-7) led 31-21 at halftime and maintained that margin after three quarters. Wheaton Academy (3-8) surged to within 53-47 with 57.6 seconds left to play on a three-point play by J.D. Gunn and another Gunn free throw.

Adrian Guerrero made four 3-point baskets and led Leyden with 20 points. DeAndre Williams added 10 for the Eagles, who will play for fifth place at Glenbard West at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Gunn scored 14 points, 12 in the fourth quarter, and Jameson Teuscher scored 12 points all on 3-point shots for Wheaton Academy. The Warriors will play at 3 p.m. Saturday in the seventh-place game.

Dave Oberhelman contributed to this story.

  Sam Noland of Glenbard West takes one to the net during the Northridge Prep at Glenbard West boys basketball tournament Wednesday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Justin Pierce of Glenbard West goes up for a rebound during the Northridge Prep at Glenbard West boys basketball tournament Wednesday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Ethan Schuemer of Willowbrook blocks a shot from Gabriel Johnson of St. Francis during the St. Francis vs. Willowbrook at Glenbard West boys basketball tournament Wednesday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Freddie Clay of Willowbrook puts one up as Peter Fassnacht of Willow Brook blocks. This took place during the St. Francis vs. Willowbrook game at the Glenbard West boys basketball tournament Wednesday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Ethan Schuemer of Willowbrook takes one to the net while Shane Walker of St. Francis attempts to block. This took place during the St. Francis vs. Willowbrook game at the Glenbard West boys basketball tournament Wednesday. Paul Michna/pmichna@dailyherald.com
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