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Nelson reaches milestone in Glenbard East victory over Addison Trail

Alijah Nelson unveiled a patented move to kick off the Class 4A boys basketball postseason Monday night.

In the process Nelson also joined exclusive company at the Lombard school.

In the Rams' 58-50 victory over Addison Trail at the DeKalb regional quarterfinals, Nelson hit consecutive one-handed floaters. The three-year starting guard had half of his game-high 16 points in the final quarter.

"I'm a smaller guy," Nelson said. "There are a lot of big guys in the paint. I would rather try to make one of those shots than try and drive all the way for a layup."

Glenbard East, the No. 18 seed in the Bartlett sectional complex, advances to face second-seed and defending sectional champion Benet (23-7) Tuesday night in DeKalb.

Sixteen-seeded Addison Trail had its season end with the same record as the Rams after bowing out at 13-16.

Nelson, a junior, also eclipsed 1,000 varsity points.

"It means a lot to reach that milestone in only three years, especially in a regional victory," Nelson said. "When I take those (floaters), it is natural for me. I know I can make those shots."

The consecutive Nelson 10-footers came as part of a 12-4 game-ending run by Glenbard East to break free from the final tie of the game at 46-46.

"It was right at the point of the fourth quarter that we started splitting free throws," Addison Trail coach Brendan Lyons said of the Nelson run. "They hit some tough shots. Their pressure forced us into making a lot of bad decisions."

Glenbard East came out of the gate firing. Four players converted 3-point field goals in its 22-point opening quarter.

But the Rams had to endure a significant second-quarter freeze as their players' shot selection had coach Scott Miller on the lecture stand at halftime.

"We talked about that at halftime," Miller said of some ill-advised shots in the quarter that enabled the Blazers to cut a 9-point deficit after one period to 29-26 after two. "When (Nelson) gets in that 10-foot range, he can make those."

DaRon Hall supplemented Nelson with 13 points for the Rams.

Jeremy Johnson and sixth-man Deon Cook contributed 9 points each for Glenbard East.

Alex Conrad led the Blazers with 13 points.

Addison Trail reserve guard Sheldon Allgood had all 6 of his points on two fourth-quarter 3-pointers.

J.T. Daniels' 8 points also were a spark for Addison Trail.

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