Glassmann’s big game lifts Fremd past Carmel

An inspired performance from junior Riley Glassmann helped Fremd close out play at the Wildcat Hardwood Classic with a well-deserved victory.

The 6-foot-4 guard scored 25 points as the Vikings defeated Carmel 47-35 Saturday in the tourney finale for both teams.

Fremd finished with 2 wins and 2 tough losses overall in their second year of participation at Wheeling, while Carmel — led by Chris Duff’s 12 points — went 1-3.

The Corsairs took the court Saturday less than 24 hours after a draining double-overtime defeat to Deerfield on Friday.

“This is a first-class, well run tournament,” said Fremd coach Bob Widlowski of the 35th edition of the Hardwood. “There are a lot of good teams here, and you get a lot of different looks.”

Glassmann added 3 steals to go along with his game-high point total, but coach Widlowski was impressed by all phases of the junior’s game.

“Riley came out with a purpose today,” said Widlowski, “especially in the first half. He did a nice job on both ends of the floor.

“He scored well, of course, but he also played a great all-around game.”

Fremd opened up a 9-point lead just minutes into the contest, but the Corsairs steadily closed the gap and got to within 24-20 midway through the second quarter on a 10-foot bank shot by Duff.

Then Glassmann swished back-to-back 3s to increase the lead to double digits.

“They made a couple of runs ,” said Widlowski, “but each time we were able to keep our composure and extend the lead.”

With Carmel 6-foot-6 senior forward Cullen Barr (7 points, 7 rebounds) playing well, the Corsairs rallied again in the third quarter and got within 37-31 on a putback by Duff.

Then the swarming Carmel defense caused three straight Fremd (11-5) turnovers — but the Corsairs couldn’t take advantage as a couple of layups just rimmed out.

The Vikings opened up a 10-point lead in the final quarter when junior forward Ben Carlson sank 2 of his 5 fourth-quarter free throws. The Corsairs couldn’t get any closer than 8 the rest of the way.

Nickai Poyser scored 8 points for Carmel while Greg Edkins added 5.

Carlson finished with 7 for the Vikings, including 4 clutch free throws down the stretch, while Michael Krupa and Sean Benka pitched in with 4 points apiece.

“Our defense was the key today,” said Widlowski. “We were locked in, especially holding them to 13 points in the first half.

“I thought we played good defense the entire tournament. At times we didn’t execute as well as we needed to, but the effort was there the whole way through. Now we’ve got to build on that effort.”