Willowbrook makes the most of its extra game
It's a new role for Willowbrook's boys basketball team.
For now, though, all that means is one extra game.
The Warriors advanced to the Class 4A Downers Grove South regional semifinals with Monday's 80-48 victory over Glenbard North.
No bye into the semifinals like last season when, as a fifth seed, Willowbrook eventually advanced to the sectional final. This year the Warriors (17-13) have to do things the hard way as a 10th seed needing to play their way into the semifinals.
Judging by Monday's performance they're ready to give No. 5 Downers Grove North (20-11) plenty to worry about in Wednesday's matchup.
"We've been embracing that underdog role all season," said Warriors senior guard Matas Masys, who made four 3-pointers and scored a game-high 19 points. "It's been an up and down year for us, but I think our guys know what we're capable of and we believe we can make a deep run in the playoffs. If we play the way we did tonight, I really believe we can compete with anyone."
Willowbrook never trailed after breaking out to a 16-4 lead behind 8 points from Everett Stubblefield III. The lead grew to 36-19 early in the third quarter before No. 22 Glenbard North (3-22) received a trio of 3-pointers from Sean Laherty and closed the period with an 8-0 run capped by Jimmy Zay's 3-pointer.
The Panthers narrowed the gap to 51-42 and had the ball to start the fourth quarter. They failed to take advantage, however, and Willowbrook used an 18-0 run to break it open.
"We played them tight there for a while," said Glenbard North coach Joe Larson, whose team started four juniors and a sophomore. "I'm very proud of the guys' effort. Their team just had a little too much firepower for us. But there's a lot of promise with the future. These guys got some valuable experience this year."
Stubblefield had 18 points and 5 steals while Charlie Flak tallied 8 of his 11 points trying to thwart Glenbard North's third-quarter run. Angelo Cusumano and Laherty each scored 11 points for Glenbard North.
"When it comes to the playoffs, no one is just going to pack it in and we knew at some point they were going to make some runs," said Willowbrook coach Chris Perkins. "On defense we forced a lot of turnovers and offensively we were moving the ball well. It's tough playing that extra game, but at this point you have to just lace them up and be ready to go."
Twitter: @kevin_schmit