Glenbard West beats Downers Grove North for Silver title
The scene couldn't have been set better for Glenbard West.
With a large crowd on hand at Biester Gym for Pack the Place night and West Suburban Silver co-leader Downers Grove North visiting in the final division game of the season, Glenbard West claimed a decisive 41-25 girls basketball victory and the league title.
"It's amazing. We're so excited," Hilltoppers senior point guard Katelyn Heller said. "I was talking ... earlier how DGN was our one conference loss this year. So coming into this game, having it be the last conference game and for the championship, we knew we had to come in and want it more than them."
It is the first time the Hilltoppers (20-6, 11-1) have won back-to-back league championships since 1981-82.
"It means a lot," said Hilltoppers coach Kristi Faulkner, a Glenbard West graduate. "It's a great conference and it's kind of a long season. So being able to take one game at a time - and we have a lot of respect for Downers Grove North and what they've done this season and they've got a lot of great players - but I was really proud of our team and the way we held our composure."
Downers Grove North (20-8, 10-2) scored first, but the Hilltoppers quickly claimed the lead and never gave it up. The Trojans put a scare into Glenbard West in the third quarter, however.
An 8-0 Downers North run cut the Hilltoppers' lead to 23-20 with 2:43 left in the third quarter. Glenbard West took a timeout.
"She said they just made their run," Heller said of Faulkner. "We're going to stop them now. This is our time to make our run and we're just going to end it right here."
It worked. Glenbard West held the Trojans scoreless the next nine minutes, scoring 18 consecutive points to put the game out of reach.
Heller and Thomas combined for 10 of the Hilltoppers' 12 fourth-quarter points, with Heller assisting Thomas twice.
"We knew that when they made their run in the third quarter that we had to come back, and we knew that using our post was the best way to come out and get our lead and make our run," Heller said.
"I was just using my body to my advantage," Thomas added. "We talked about before the game, I'm going to have a smaller girl on me. Use my (6-foot-2) body to my advantage. Keep going. If they don't stop me, keep going, keep scoring."
Heller and Thomas led the Hilltoppers with 10 points apiece.
The Trojans made just 18 percent of their shots in the game. Quinn Stephens led the Trojans with 7 points off the bench.
"I think the energy and effort that the team brought was outstanding on the defensive end," Faulkner said.