Naperville Central rides Hallstrom past Glenbard North
Only four players scored for Naperville Central in an overtime boys basketball game Tuesday night, but their strong combined effort was just enough to prevail.
The Redhawks had to survive a hot first quarter by Glenbard North as well as a strong Panthers rally in the fourth quarter before eventually pulling out a 62-59 DuPage Valley Conference win that required an extra session to determine a winner.
It was a great high school game with numerous heroes on each side. The Redhawks' Harry Hallstrom had 26 points and 9 rebounds, but he had plenty of help, all of which was needed.
"I'm proud of the kids because we could have folded and gotten blown out but we came back," Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said after his team trailed by 11 after one quarter. "Then we gave up the lead again late and the kids kept their composure. This is a big win for us and a big step forward."
Hallstrom had a monster first half with 19 points as Naperville Central (12-7, 6-3) rallied from a 23-12 first-quarter deficit to draw even at 31-31. Matthew Meier, who had a quiet 5-point first half, then went 5 for 5 in the third quarter, which ended with the home team ahead 52-43.
But the Panthers, who were led by guard Nick LaVere's 21 points, sent the game into overtime tied at 57. Glenbard North actually took a 55-54 lead with 1:34 left in regulation on a 3-pointer from Chamar Flanigan. But the Redhawks' James Kendrick countered with a 3 of his own from the corner with 57 seconds left. A pair of LaVere free throws 20 seconds later sent the game to overtime.
"It was a good high school basketball game, and it went back and forth there in the second half," Panthers coach Joe Larson said. "They got an 8-point or 10-point lead there in the third quarter, but we came back and tied it and then took the lead at one point.
"It was a tale of two quarters and then in the second half they made a run at us and then we made another run at them - it was nip and tuck the whole way."
In overtime Meier made 3 of 4 foul shots and finished with 18 points. Kendrick went 2 for 2 as the Redhawks won the game without a field goal in the extra time. Glenbard North, meanwhile, trailed 62-59 after Meier's final two free throws with 12.9 seconds and LaVere's last-second, off-balance shot was off target as the Redhawks defended the final play well.
"We started off a little flat, but we bounced back in the second quarter and then we were getting our open looks," said Kendrick, who knocked down a trio of 3s to finish with 11 points.
Reserve point guard Noah Swope tallied 7 needed points for Naperville Central, but it was Hallstrom who had the biggest impact. He had 7 field goals, including a pair of 3s while recording his big first-half numbers.
"Harry was outstanding on both ends tonight," Kramer said. "I thought this was maybe his best game of the year on both ends of the floor. He was in such a groove that we kept running stuff for him. I told the kids, 'Hey we're going to ride Harry.' "
For the Panthers, Flanigan and Tee White each scored 8 points to support LaVere's big night.