Titans claim 'uncharted territory' with win over Curie
Glenbrook South boys basketball's entry into what coach Phil Ralston called "uncharted territory" has gone swimmingly.
The Titans dominated perennial Chicago Public League power Curie 72-48 in a high-profile appearance Feb. 5 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Glenbrook South entered the game ranked No. 3 in Class 4A by The Associated Press, with Curie No. 6.
"We've played three city powerhouses in Morgan Park (72-52), Simeon (57-54) and Curie and came out on top in all three. I don't think there are many programs most years that can make that claim," said Ralston, whose current 26-2 campaign includes the 400th victory of his career.
"It obviously moves our program into a new realm. That doesn't mean a heck of a lot unless we make that materialize into something in the postseason."
Seeding will be announced Friday for the Class 4A state boys basketball tournament. The Glenbrook South sectional offers regional sites at Evanston, Hoffman Estates, Maine South and New Trier.
Having split two games against 25-3 New Trier and beating 24-win Rolling Meadows on Tuesday, a key wedge in the Titans' favor will be the win over Simeon. New Trier fell 69-66 to Simeon at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament.
"It's a buzz saw of a sectional," Ralston said.
There was quite the buzz Saturday at Wintrust Arena, with many of the 10,387-seat capacity there to see Sierra Canyon (California) hand Glenbard West its first loss of the season, 67-64. Glenbard West beat Glenbrook South 57-54 on Dec. 5.
With massive crowds generated by Glenbrook South and Glenbard West fans, LeBron James' son, Bronny, playing for Sierra Canyon, and the California visitors' assembly of personal trainers, assistant coaches and three cameramen - yet none to tape the game itself - Ralston called it a strange atmosphere.
He also loved Wintrust Arena.
"I guarantee you they would pack that arena for the state finals, and it'd be a great atmosphere for it," he said.
Glenbrook South certainly thrived there against Curie, which never led the Titans.
Committing a minuscule 5 turnovers in the contest, the Titans progressively extended the lead as the game wore on.
Glenbrook South led 22-15 after one quarter, 37-24 at halftime, 59-37 after three quarters and by as many as 27 points in the fourth.
"I felt like we would give them a good game, I didn't realize we would pick them apart like that. It was a little surprising, even to me," Ralston said.
"We were waiting for Curie to make a run at us; we knew that they would. Other than a short run in the second quarter, it never really materialized."
Crisply executing offense against Curie's press and both zone and man-to-man half-court defenses, Glenbrook South shot 65% from the floor for the game, and made 8-of-13 three-point shot attempts.
Nick Martinelli with 28 points and Cooper Noard with 25 were the game's top two scorers. R.J. Davis added 10 points and Spencer Brown dished out 8 assists.