Glenbard West runs winning streak to 14

The three Glenbard West seniors know just how far their girls basketball program has come in their four seasons.

"It's a really cool feeling," senior guard Sammy Harris said, "because when we came in freshman year, none of us were on varsity, but the varsity team was 3-23. To think about how we've turned it around. Obviously, there's three of us, the people back there, the rest of our team, they contribute just as much as us. But it's so fun to leave on this season. And I can't wait to see what's to come."

The Hilltoppers are 19-3, a long way from that 3-23 season now. They ran their winning streak to 14 games, dating back to Dec. 2, with a 40-34 senior night victory against visiting Hinsdale South in a West Suburban Conference crossover game.

"It's weird to think about," Harris said.

The occasion made this win a little extra special.

"I was so excited to get a win on senior night," added senior forward Ellie Sear. "This team means everything to me, and we're like family, so to come together and win on senior night was a big deal for all of us."

Like most senior nights, the emotion of the evening and change of routine made for a difficult game for the home team. The Hilltoppers struggled to get shots to drop, making just 24 percent.

"It was pretty frustrating, especially on senior night when I wanted, like everyone, a good (send-off)," senior guard Cameron Kruse said. "But it's just another game."

And though they struggled offensively, the Hilltoppers were on point defensively. That was enough to help them to an 18-12 halftime lead that became 30-13 after three quarters.

The Hilltoppers' lead peaked at 32-13 when Sear opened the fourth quarter with a 10-foot jumper. The Hornets (8-11) found their shooting stroke at that point and charged back into the game before running out of time.

"We just stayed after it," Hinsdale South coach Jen Belmonte said. "We got the starters back in there, hit a couple of 3s. I think it was three of them - Emily (Koziol) had two, Frankie (Markos) had one - so kind of snuck us back in. So then at the end when they think they've got it and they put their subs back in, we pressed them and tried to get a couple of cheap ones and we did."

Senior forward Evelyn Edmond led the Hornets with 11 points and 3 blocked shots.

Sophomore forward Taylor Huff was the Hilltoppers' stat leader, notching a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also had 4 steals and 3 blocked shots.