Downers Grove South blasts past Willowbrook
The best advice for facing Downers Grove South's boys basketball team Friday night?
Stay out of the Mustangs' way.
They dominated in every facet imaginable while beating Willowbrook 71-43 in West Suburban Gold action in Villa Park.
The bulk of the blitz came in the first half when five Downers South (10-10, 6-4) players shot a blistering 10 of 17 from 3-point range. The Mustangs' trapping defense created 8 turnovers and led to runs that not even three Willowbrook timeouts could stop.
"We just knew we had to come out and play DGS basketball," said Mustangs senior guard Danny Spinuzza, who had 6 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals in limited action.
"Hard basketball, play good defense, move the ball around, run motion. Just get after them on 'D.' That's what we did tonight," he said. "It worked out well for everyone on the team."
The Warriors (2-19, 0-9) led 7-3 early and tied the game 9-9 on a pair of Kyle Rushing free throws midway through the first quarter. Then Downers South unleashed a 22-0 run and added a 14-2 run minutes later.
By halftime the Mustangs held a 50-19 lead.
"That's the best I've ever seen them shoot the ball," said Willowbrook coach Chris Perkins. "And it wasn't just one person. If it's one or two people it's easier to zoom in and try to take those two away."
Eleven of 15 players scored for Downers South led by Paul Engo, who hit four 3-pointers and tallied all 15 of his points in the first half. Wes Dahle, who hit three 3-pointers, added 11 points off the bench.
Willowbrook also had 11 scorers, with Kyle Rushing and Carlos Meyers scoring 7 points apiece.
"We've been working on coming out with a little bit more energy at the start of our games, so I thought our kids did a great job of it," said Downers South coach Kris Olson. "A couple of our games the previous weekends we've started a little bit slower, and it's kind of bitten us a little bit. We've really been focusing in practice on getting off to a quick start. Our kids kind of got pumped up for it a little bit."
Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit