Glenbard North wins sixth straight game
When Glenbard North dug an 11-3 second-quarter hole against Neuqua Valley on Thursday night, the slow start was eerily reminiscent of Glenbard North's 33-point loss to the Wildcats last month, when Neuqua Valley broke out to a quick lead and never looked back.
But this is a much different Glenbard North team than the squad that got humbled in Naperville. A five-game winning streak and a more team-oriented approach helped the youthful Panthers keep their composure in the rematch. The hosts whittled away at Neuqua's lead and eventually overtook the Wildcats for a 51-45 upset victory in the teams' DuPage Valley Conference finale in Carol Stream.
The loss prevented Neuqua Valley from earning a share of the DVC championship with Naperville Central (13-2), which would have had to beat Lake Park on Friday to claim sole possession of the conference title.
Glenbard North's sixth consecutive win also gave its lone senior, Jennifer Deegan, a victory in her final appearance at Hudson Gymnasium. The senior forward registered the 1,000th varsity point Tuesday.
"I think this time we were more ready for their press," Deegan said, referring to Neuqua Valley's 2-2-1 full-court zone that gave Glenbard North fits last month but only generated 12 turnovers Thursday. "We passed over their press more and played together as a team to break it. We just focused on working together as a team instead of going 1 on 5 like we did last time."
With Deegan battling through a back injury on senior night, a pair of sophomores propelled the Panthers (16-10, 9-7) to the win. After scoring just 1 point in the opening three quarters, Leah Miller drained a trio of 3-pointers and added two free throws that helped turn a 29-26 deficit into a 10-point lead late as Glenbard North exploded for 25 fourth-quarter points. Lauren Lee added 15 points and 10 rebounds, including four straight free throws down the stretch to salt away the outcome.
"(The coaches) told us to be looking for me," Miller said. "We were moving the ball more and executing our offense better. That gave me some open looks at the basket."
"Lauren had a great game," Deegan said. "She hit some big shots and played great defense, too."
Deegan did her part, too, providing 6 points that helped the Panthers close within 16-13 at the half. A 3-point basket by senior guard Kai Moon pushed the Wildcats (19-8, 12-4) in front 29-23 with 55 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but Lee answered with a 3 of her own 24 seconds later, and Miller's first of three 3s moved Glenbard North ahead for the first time 33-31 with five minutes left. Senior guard Myia Starks briefly tied the game at 36-36 with three minutes to play, but Miller rang up her third 3 in a row on the ensuing possession, and the Panthers never trailed again, sinking 12 of 14 free throws in the final two minutes.
"Glenbard North has been on a roll and gotten some momentum down the stretch. They played well," Wildcats coach Mike Williams said. "For us it's one of those situations where we've been living on the edge in the fourth quarter of a number of games lately where we've gotten complacent and come out with a low energy level the last few games, fallen behind and then been able to come back and pull out games at the end. We did the same thing Tuesday night against Mother McAuley (rallying for a 50-48 victory). I'd rather have a loss like this now than in regionals that ends our season. Hopefully it stings for them. This was probably our worst performance defensively this season. We can't keep living on the edge."
Glenbard North's packed-in 2-3 zone also bottled up Neuqua Valley's offense, limiting senior standouts Starks and Moon's dribble penetration and forcing the Wildcats to shoot long jumpers most of the night. Starks erupted for 15 second-half points, but Moon finished with 7.
The Wildcats open the postseason facing the winner of Oswego and Naperville North in regional action on Wednesday night in Yorkville. The Panthers take on Schaumburg on Tuesday night in Batavia.