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Glenbard South puts clamps on Burlington Central

Schemes change, fads and philosophies come and go. Glenbard South's boys basketball team does something that never goes out of style.

The Raiders play defense.

Glenbard South held Burlington Central 26 points under its season average Friday at the Class 3A Marengo sectional final, including a five-minute scoreless streak in the fourth quarter, leading to a 42-38 Raiders victory.

Glenbard South (25-6) advances to a supersectional for the first time since 2000. The Raiders, whose 25 victories trail only the 2000 team's 27 wins in program history, will play Bradley University sectional winner Peoria Manual at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Class 3A Northern Illinois University supersectional.

“Very excited,” said Raiders center Ryan Harrington, who scored 10 points with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. “It was a great run so far, we hope to keep it up.”

While Burlington Central's Josh Hudgens continued his hot playoffs with a game-high 15 points, Glenbard South guard Kevin Enright limited Rockets star Patrick Mayfield to 2 field goals and 10 points, 16 under his average.

“We know he's averaging like 26 and it was just another goal of mine to stop him,” said Enright, a huge factor without scoring a point, directing an offense that committed only 5 turnovers.

“Coach puts me on them — (Streamwood's) Keenon Cole, (West Aurora's) Marquise Walker, a bunch of guys in the (Upstate Eight) conference got me prepared for this and it was just great to help. My team helped me the entire time. On a screen they'd help out, it's a team effort,” Enright said.

Burlington Central (26-9) led only once, 34-33 with 6:34 to play on a Mayfield basket on which he was fouled, capping a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter. Glenbard South's Cade Hardtke converted a three-point play, answered by Hudgens for a 36-36 tie with 5:11 to play.

The Rockets didn't score again until two Braden Seyller free throws with 11.2 seconds left to make the score 42-38. They missed 7 shots and turned the ball over twice, once on an offensive foul and once on a tie-up forced by Raiders guard Nick Plaso, who led Glenbard South with 11 points.

“It's about quality of shot, and they forced a lot of contested jumpers and we gave up some layups in tight,” said Burlington Central coach Brett Porto, who has led the Rockets to a 106-21 record the last four seasons.

“They're a really strong and physical team with some good length,” he said. “The little bunnies, little putbacks, things like that, didn't necessarily fall for us and they got a few more on their end.”

Glenbard South immediately broke the 36-36 tie on Tommy Powers' drive to the basket.

“It was good to get a nice take to the hoop there, and then my teammates did a nice job finishing it off,” Powers said.

Glenbard South went quiet itself until 1:47 remained, Harrington converting a Plaso feed for a 40-36 lead. Cade Hardtke hit two free throws with 16.1 seconds to play.

Glenbard South took a 12-4 lead after one quarter before Hudgens and Mayfield rallied the Rockets within 23-17 at halftime. Burlington Central pulled even, 27-27, on a Hudgens 3 at 4:21 of the third quarter.

It was the third time Glenbard South had won tight playoff games over Burlington Central, eliminating the Rockets also in 2016 and 2017.

“It's got to be tough on that side,” Wade Hardtke said. “You've just got to tip your hat to (Brett Porto). Even when we got off to the great start that we got off to you knew they'd be charging back, and they did. And that's a credit to him and his program.”

It was the final prep game for Rockets mainstay Mayfield, his college destination undecided.

“We made it pretty far, Sweet Sixteen just like we did last year,” he said. “It was a lot of fun with everyone. I'm proud of everyone. Everything started to click as soon as playoffs hit, that's how we did this. We improved so much in the past two weeks.”

Once again, Raiders end Rockets' run

Dave Oberhelman/doberhelman@dailyherald.comGlenbard South coach Wade Hardtke celebrates the Raiders' Class 3A boys basketball sectional championship with sons Cole and Cade.
John Lemon/jlemon@dailyherald.comGlenbard South players react after winning the Class 3A Marengo boys basketball sectional Friday.
John Lemon/jlemon@dailyherald.comBurlington Central players react after losing the Class 3A Marengo boys basketball sectional final Friday.
John Lemon/jlemon@dailyherald.comBurlington Central players react after losing the Class 3A Marengo boys basketball sectional final Friday.
John Lemon/jlemon@dailyherald.comBurlington Central fans support their boys basketball team at the Class 3A Marengo sectional final Friday.
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