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Verge scores 44 in Willowbrook win

Carrying the momentum of an eight-game winning streak into a critical late-season West Suburban Gold matchup at Addison Trail, Willowbrook was content riding the hot hand of sophomore Alonzo Verge Jr. on Friday night.

The guard had poured in 117 points over his last four contests, and once again he was dominant.

Behind 44 points from Verge, the Warriors upended the Blazers 76-73 in overtime and moved into third place in the division with the win.

"They're a really good team, Addison Trail," Willowbrook coach Chris Perkins said. "We knew since it was a rivalry game it always goes down to the wire.

"I thought Chris Roycroft came up with some huge rebounds tonight, obviously (Verge) does what he does, and I thought our senior Jake (Bruns) hit some big free throws."

Willowbrook (15-6, 4-3) and Addison Trail traded the lead five times in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.

Verge scored 31 of his points in the second half and overtime, including 20 points in an incredible third-quarter showing as Addison Trail (13-5, 4-3) tried to throw several defenses at the youngster out of the break at halftime.

"We told Alonzo, 'I don't know what strategy opponents are going to come into the game with.'" Perkins said. "But, 21 games into the season, he's seen it all. He's seen the box-and-ones and the full denial."

With less than three minutes to play, Willowbrook opened up as big a lead as 6 points and appeared set to cruise to a victory. However, Addison Trail had one final charge in regulation.

Senior guard Taylor White scored 7 of his team-high 21 points in the final two minutes, including a 3-point field goal that tied the game with less than 10 seconds left. It was White's turn to step up on a night when five Blazers reached double figures.

"We talk about team defense, but team offense has also been who we are," Addison Trail coach Brendan Lyons said. "We had significant contributions tonight from five guys while playing about eight or nine."

In overtime Addison Trail opened up a 4-point lead before Verge took over.

He scored 6 of Willowbrook's final 9 points, including a layup with 38 seconds left to win it. He also blocked Addison Trail's final field-goal attempt in overtime to preserve the victory.

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