Glenbrook South nips New Trier for sectional crown
Glenbrook South boys basketball records go back to the school's 1962 opening. Since then the Titans had never won a sectional championship.
Until Friday. No. 1 seed Glenbrook South defeated No. 2 New Trier 55-52 at the Class 4A Glenbrook South sectional final in front of about 2,850 people in Glenview.
"We're going to enjoy this one against a great New Trier program that I've played my entire high school career," said Glenbrook South senior guard Cooper Noard, who led all scorers with 27 points.
"Those are the guys that we've beaten and we've lost to. It's been an honor to battle with those guys. To beat them on our home floor in a sectional final in front of our home crowd was one of the greatest moments of my life," Noard said.
Glenbrook South advanced to Monday's Forest View Educational Center supersectional against Barrington, a 56-47 winner over Libertyville.
Glenbrook South (33-2) beat, and lost to the Trevians this season in the Central Suburban League South.
Friday's most important meeting began at New Trier's tempo. Dartmouth-bound post player Jackson Munro's 10 first-half points paced New Trier's 22-20 halftime lead.
"This team, that puts up 75 a game? I thought our defense was good," said New Trier coach Scott Fricke, who called the 30-4 Trevians the best squad in program history.
Glenbrook South coach Phil Ralston didn't much like his team's first-half play, and sought a fast start to the second.
"I ran a play that was either going to be for Nick (Martinelli, 12 points) or Cooper. We told them you have to score, first play. Hit that 3, we didn't look back, "Ralston said.
Noard swished a 26-footer out of the gate, Rodell Davis hit a pair of 3s and a deuce in the third quarter after not taking a first-half shot, to lift the Titans to a 37-33 lead after three quarters.
"You've just got to stay ready when you play with a couple guys like Nick and Cooper," said Davis, who finished with 9.
Noard's fifth 3 of the game opened a 45-37 Titans lead with 3:01 left to play.
New Trier senior Josh Kirkpatrick's 15-point fourth quarter rallied the Trevians, but Glenbrook South hit 10 of 15 free throws in the last 2:08. When Karlo Colak's 27-foot attempt to tie missed at the horn the Titans had their elusive sectional title.
"In order to beat us, GBS had to rip our heart out," said Kirkpatrick, who scored 21 points. "And if lose to anybody I hope I lose to some state champs."