Bartlett takes, protects lead against Glenbard East
There was no big run this time.
Bartlett's boys basketball team grabbed an early lead against Glenbard East and maintained it, cruising to a 72-60 win in the Upstate Eight Valley matchup in Bartlett on Friday.
The Hawks were well aware of Glenbard's quick-strike capabilities. Coach Jim Wolflsmith and his players scouted a game in which the Rams erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit against South Elgin, and the Rams made a late run in the Hawks' 65-64 victory earlier this year.
The Hawks were determined not to let it happen again.
The Rams' Jake Huisman did hit a couple of 3-pointers late as the Rams cut a 20-point deficit to 11 - but it was too little, too late for Glenbard East.
It was all Hawks early as they raced to a 20-8 lead after one quarter.
"We did a great job going inside to Austin Gates in the first quarter, pounding it down low, using some height mismatches," said Wolfsmith. "We got ourselves a (20-8) lead and really didn't let up from the beginning. We took them out of their man-to-man early, forced them to go to some zone stuff, and then took advantage of some zone breakdowns."
Tomas Vikonis, with 22 points, led four Hawks in double figures. Gates finished with 15. Ben Tompson scored 16 and Ben Fisher had 10 for Bartlett (12-9, 5-2).
"When we play team basketball, we feel like we're at our best," said Vikonis. "Tonight we came out strong, shared the ball. Gates did a great job sealing the smaller guards down low. There really were a lot of good things for us."
Alijah Nelson led Glenbard East with 12 points, while James Peterkin and Korvonte Davis both scored 10.
Vikonis' putback made it 68-48 midway through the fourth quarter. Huisman then went on a personal 8-2 run to cut it to 70-56.
Glenbard East's Antonio Davis scored twice late, but the Hawks made enough free throws to maintain the double-digit lead throughout.