Downers Grove South holds off Metea Valley

Starving for a victory, Metea Valley played a great second half while battling to the wire. But host Downers Grove South had too many players ready to make sure the visiting Mustangs left hungry on Thursday night.

Downers South, which has now gone 13-1 after a 1-4 start to the season, hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter for a 20-9 lead and then led Metea Valley 29-20 at the half. But Ethan Helwig sparked a second-half rally that saw Metea Valley (9-10) take a 48-47 fourth-quarter lead before the home team finished off yet another win 52-48.

"Yeah, we've been doing a good job of that lately, making teams work hard for wins," Metea Valley coach Matt Walpole said after his team fell to 9-10 on the season. "We're starving for one right now. This is our fourth loss in a row by single digits, we're in every game … it's been challenging, but these guys are going to be battle tested. We just need them to keep believing and it's going to come through for them at some point and we're going to get that signature win."

For now, everything seems to be coming together for Downers Grove South. Early on in Thursday's contest, guards Wes Hooker, Justin Eagins and Timmeon Gamble all shot well, combining for five 3s in the first half. Eagins' defense played a big role in blanking Helwig through two quarters before the Metea sharpshooter heated up for 16 second-half points.

Then, after Helwig helped Metea close to within 43-38 after three quarters and move ahead 48-47 following his 3, Downers South big man J.T. Jablonski came up big. The 6-foot-9 center scored all 10 of his points in the second half while also coming away with 5 rebounds and a blocked shot off the bench.

Moments after Helwig's long-range shot gave Metea that 1-point lead, Jablonski countered with a three-point play that lifted the hosts to a 50-48 lead with 2:40 left to play. Jablonski made 4 of 5 shots and both free-throw attempts while helping keep his team on a roll.

"I just try and fill up the paint and do as best as I can down there," he said. "That's my role - try not and give up too many layups down there and when the ball comes to me to finish at the rim. That's the best I can do is give it my all.

"It was a great half for me. A fun half to play in. We are definitely confident. We just want to keep this streak going and keep our heads held high no matter what happens."

Helwig who opened the second half with a 3 on the first possession, connected on a trio of 3s during the second-half rally. He's hopeful his team's solid play of late - despite the lack of wins - will pay off down the stretch.

"We've been more of a second-half team the last couple games. We played a really good Oswego East team, a really good Waubonsie team and Waukegan and now Downers Grove South. We've been playing really good competition.

"We've been prepping for these types of games for a while. I think this will build us up for later in the season to make us a contender for a regional and maybe for a sectional. What we do in these games and in practice helps us out for the future."