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Glenbard North tops Naperville Central

Anthony Keener couldn't have picked a better time to knock down a game-winning shot and end Glenbard North's five-game losing streak in the process.

The Panthers guard's baseline 3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining was the difference in a 43-42 road victory over Naperville Central in a DuPage Valley Conference contest Friday evening.

But at first Keener and the rest of the Glenbard North faithful had to hold their collective breaths as the ball bounced around the backboard and the edge of the rim before finally settling through the net.

“I thought the ball was going to drop out, but luckily it went in,” Keener said. “It took a long time to drop; it was a lot of tension.”

The play didn't go exactly according to plan, according to Glenbard North coach Joe Larson.

“It was off an out-of-bounds play that we like to run, but it was a broken play,” Larson said. “Fortunately, Josh (Fleming) found (Anthony) wide open in the corner. He's somebody we like to have the ball toward the end of the game. He knocked down a huge shot.”

Glenbard North (7-9, 3-5) held the lead for most of the game including a 26-18 halftime advantage. The lead grew to 30-18 before Naperville Central (8-10, 2-5) clawed its way back. The Redhawks closed out the third quarter with an 11-2 run, cutting the deficit to 32-29 entering the fourth quarter.

“We didn't play very well in the first half, but I thought we played outstanding in the second half and gave ourselves a chance to win the game,” Naperville Central coach Pete Kramer said. “I can't say enough about our effort. We were struggling to make baskets early on, but the kids came back in the second half.”

After a Keener layup put the Panthers up 38-35, a basket inside by Naperville Central freshman Nick Czarnowski cut the lead down to one. Senior David Niggins then gave the Redhawks their first lead of the night with a 3-pointer to go ahead 40-38.

Brandon Clark's basket in the paint tied the game at 40-40 before Czarnowski knocked down a pair of free throws, giving the home team its last lead of the night, 42-40.

Naperville Central picked up a stop on the ensuing possession, but a turnover on an errant pass set up Keener's game-winner.

The Redhawks came into the game having won five of their last six games, and Niggins was confident afterward that his team would start a new streak.

“We've got plenty of time, we're going to get back on track,” Niggins said. “We've been playing really well and have been in a lot of close games.”

Images: Glenbard North vs. Naperville Central boys basketball

PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.comNick Czarnowski of Naperville North pits up a shot over Brandon Clark of Glenbard North at the Naperville North game Friday.
  Brandon Clark of Glenbard North goes up for a shot during the Glenbard North at Naperville North game Friday. PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.com
  Matt Pemberton of Glenbard North puts up a shot during the Glenbard North at Naperville North game Friday. PAUL MICHNA/Pmichna@dailyherald.com