Glenbard West gangs up on Wheaton North
Evan Taylor does so much for Glenbard West's boys basketball team, but someone had to step up when he sat at home with the flu Saturday night.
Everyone did.
All five starters scored at least 5 points and Glenbard West surged late to beat host Wheaton North 57-47.
Sophomore Garrett Horner's fifth 3-pointer of the game pulled the Falcons (10-12) within 48-47 with 2:42 left, but Glenbard West (12-9) closed with 9 straight points, including 7 of Carter Lindstrom's 16 points.
While Lindstrom was the spark down the stretch, it seemed like everyone on the court took turns leading the charge for the short-handed Hilltoppers.
"(Taylor's) such a big part of our team, but it was a good win with everyone doing their part," Lindstrom said. "It was nice to get some good team defense and offense. It's a huge confidence booster for our next couple of games."
Ethan Graff's 3-pointer at the start of the third quarter gave Glenbard West a 28-17 lead, but Wheaton North stormed back behind Horner, who hit four 3-pointers during a 18-3 run that put the Falcons back on top 35-31.
Despite 6 third-quarter turnovers by the Hilltoppers, Nick Dwyer's 3-pointer put Glenbard West ahead 36-35 heading to the fourth. The Hilltoppers shot 58 percent from the field, including 11-of-18 second-half shooting.
"They came out with way more energy than us," said Falcons coach Dave Brackmann. "We dug ourselves a hole and it was too little too late after that."
Graff led all scorers with 17 points while Dwyer scored 10 points, Caden Phillips had 9 points and Jay Ludington 5 points. Horner's 15 points led Wheaton North, which received 10 points from Deng Reng and Josh Sorenson.
"We just asked our kids to stick together," said Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder. "I think it's a very high-character group. Win or lose, playing through adversity like they did, I'm very proud of them."
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