Glenbard West beats York by a sliver in Silver
Last season senior Katelyn Heller and junior Taylor Huff were key contributors as the Glenbard West girls basketball team captured its first conference title since 2006.
"I think it's an expectation set for the team this year," Huff said. "We're reigning champs so we have to go defend our title. Our coach (Kristi Faulkner) mentioned instead of thinking of it that way, it's just we're going to go fight for it again, which is a good mentality to have."
In the first big test among the West Suburban Silver front-runners, the Hilltoppers came through in crunchtime Tuesday to defeat York 53-47 in Glen Ellyn.
Glenbard West (9-2, 4-0) used a 10-1 run over a four-minute stretch in the fourth quarter to open a 51-42 lead in the final minute after trailing 27-20 just before halftime and throughout most of the second half.
Huff collected a personal-best 25 points, which included two 3-pointers, and a season-high 13 rebounds. Junior Maggie Stutelberg had 13 points with two 3s and 10 points in the fourth quarter.
There's little time to celebrate because Friday brings a visit to Downers Grove North, 3-1 in the Silver.
"Huge (to win)," Heller said. "I know that this was probably one of the top teams in our conference and so we really, really wanted to win this one."
York (9-2, 3-1) was led by junior Carley Schwartz's 15 points on five 3s. Junior Sara Krissinger had 10 points, sophomore Kaitlyn Kjome 7 and junior Sydney Fuglsang 6 points with 5 assists.
Glenbard West outscored York 19-11 in the fourth quarter as the 6-foot-2 Huff scored 9 points to finish by making her last 7 field-goal attempts in the game, including both 3s.
Moments after Megan Juneman scored inside to give York its last lead at 41-40 with 5:20 remaining, Huff hit a 3 off a pass from fellow inside threat Niki Adamski.
"In the off-season I worked on (3s) with my coaches of AAU and high school," Huff said. "It's really helped broaden my game and helped spread the floor for my teammates, which is really awesome."
Heller then was part of two of the biggest plays even with four fouls since 4:59 left in the third quarter.
Heller drew her third offensive charge, which nullified a game-tying basket. On the other end York stole the ball underneath, but Heller almost immediately knocked the ball loose and while sprawled on the ground, pushed the ball out toward Adamski at the top of the key. Adamski passed to Stutelberg for another 3 and a 45-41 lead.
"Not sure how that happened," Heller said. "I knew we needed it and I really wanted it and Niki was right there, made that amazing pass and Maggie just did what she did."
"That was a backbreaker there," York coach Brandon Collings said.
Adamski had 3 of her 5 assists in the fourth quarter and added 9 rebounds. Glenbard West surrendered just 6 offensive rebounds and overcame 18 turnovers, but just 2 in the fourth quarter.
"We give York a lot of credit because they're a young team and I'm proud of our girls, how they stayed together. Taylor hit some big shots, Maggie some big free throws," Faulkner said.
"That was a good game. It was back and forth. York is a really good team. The game was a competitive game and that's why you play sports, to be in those situations."
The Dukes continue to play inspired with senior all-conference returnee Matty Stark injured for the season and senior returnee Kiah Rufus still injured. Kathleen Levins was their only senior starter Tuesday.
"For (Huff) to be able to step out and hit three 3s. And then pin us down low (affected us)," Collings said.
"(The 10-1 run) was just a swing that we couldn't turn around from. We did respond very well (earlier). They came back. We'd go ahead a little bit. They'd come back. It was just that three-minute stretch there where (Huff and Stutelberg) both hit 3s."