No ordinary game for Willowbrook
Last season's playoff score was written on the board...not that Willowbrook's boys basketball players needed the reminder.
Facing District 88 rival Addison Trail for the first time since last year's stunning regional loss to the underdog Blazers, the Warriors came out focused from the tip on Friday.
The result was Willowbrook's 80-38 West Suburban Gold victory in Villa Park.
Ten players scored for the Warriors (5-1, 1-1) on an early night for the starters. After last week's overtime loss at Proviso East, the Warriors didn't need much motivation against the rival that knocked them out of the playoffs.
"This wasn't like an ordinary game for us," said Warriors senior Marshawn Phillips. "We had to come out ready to go. Today was a very special night."
Senior Night meant an all-senior starting lineup for Willowbrook, a group that looked awfully similar to last season's. Addison Trail (5-3, 0-2), on the other hand, graduated the bulk of last year's team and played without injured leading scorer Adem Mehmeti.
The combination played into Willowbrook's hands in front of a lively home crowd.
"We competed every game all year, and we didn't come to play tonight," said Blazers coach Brendan Lyons. "Once they got away from us, we weren't coming back."
Dunks by Matthew Myers and Ethan Schuemer highlighted the Warriors' first-quarter burst that gave them a 22-10 lead after a quarter. The margin grew to 46-18 by halftime before Willowbrook scored the first 10 points of the second half.
Phillips led Willowbrook with 16 points. Levi Bentsen came off the bench and knocked down five 3-pointers while scoring 15 points. Matas Masys and Schuemer each scored 13 points.
J.T. Daniels paced Addison Trail with 12 points.
"We're a veteran group, and they understood it's our first home game and Senior Night," said Warriors coach Chris Perkins. "We wanted to hit first and be in attack mode the entire game."
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