Lake Park feels the joy of victory against Glenbard South
A joyful noise arose from Lake Park's locker room Wednesday at Glenbard West's Holiday Classic.
The sound of a 41-40 boys basketball victory over Glenbard South.
"When you have a rough year like we're going through now any time you get a win you're always happy about it, you're happy with the kids," said Lake Park coach Josh Virostko.
"They've been practicing, they're working hard, so you like to see them have those positive reinforcements from time to time, because when you don't get them it makes for a long year," he said.
Contested throughout, Lake Park (3-8) stood firm when it mattered.
Glenbard South's Spencer Pyle rebounded a Lancers missed free throw with 6.9 seconds remaining, down by the single point. After a timeout with 4.1 left the Raiders' inbounds pass got knocked to the floor, secured by Lake Park's Diamante Smith, his second steal of the fourth quarter.
"Defense is kind of our pride and joy," said Smith, who scored 6 points with 5 rebounds. "Ever since I came to this school, ever since I've heard of this school that's been our main focus, is defense. Defense creates offense."
Free throws, too.
Glenbard South (5-8) scored six straight points to lead 38-37 with 3:27 left to play. A basket by the 6-foot-2 Pyle and two Pyle free throws bookended offensive rebounds by Raiders guards Kevin Enright and Tavion Keith to keep possession Raiders' way.
Lake Park countered with two free throws by Danny Spejcher, whose 15 points led all scorers. Two more Thomas Zakic free throws put the Lancers up 41-38 with 23.9 to play.
Pyle scored with 16.6 seconds left, an inside basket assisted by Enright. Pyle scored 8 points, with Tristan Blake scoring 9.
Glenbard South lacked its top scorer, Brandon Whiteside, resting a foot ailment. That didn't make it easier.
"We had two possessions there down 1 and we came away empty with both of them," said Raiders coach Wade Hardtke. "Those were two crucial possessions, and we've got to learn and grow."
Guard Antonio Carter, at 5-7 battling for 3 offensive boards, agreed.
"We can take a lot from running this game," Carter said.