Glenbrook South beats Maine South again to stay unbeaten

Nothing upends expectations like the 3-pointer.

The high variance generated by the extra point means even the tightest games are turned wholly inside out.

"Being able to shoot 3s is really the game nowadays," Glenbrook South forward Nick Martinelli said.

The host Titans utilized 9 first half 3-pointers that turned their marquee Central Suburban League boys basketball showdown against Maine South into a rout.

Martinelli and guard Cooper Noard scored 18 points apiece as the Titans completed the season sweep with the 64-46 victory Saturday in Glenview.

In building a 31-point lead at the end of the three quarters, the Titans (6-0, 2-0) finished the game with 12 3-pointers.

Guard Sean Gallery had 17 points and 5 rebounds to lead the Hawks (4-2, 0-2).

In this unprecedented season, the conference adopted a baseball style scheduling format with Friday-Saturday matchups.

Martinelli and Noard combined for 46 points in the Titans' 55-33 victory Friday night in Park Ridge.

"We never played a team twice in a row before," Martinelli said. "We were ready for the game. It helped us to be able to dominate them the night before.

"It gave them fuel, and it gave us fuel to know they were going to come out and fight."

Five of the first 6 Glenbrook South baskets came from behind the arc, a vivid foreshadowing of what was to follow.

Martinelli (14 points) and Noard (11 points) ignited a potent attack in posting a 41-21 halftime advantage.

At 6-foot-7, Martinelli has the length and size to operate inside or on the wing. Noard's knock down shooting optimizes the attack by forcing defenses to spread the floor.

"We're such good friends, and we are two very different players," Martinelli said. "He can really shoot the ball, and I play more inside.

"The fact that we are able to work off each other so well helps us a lot."

Seven different Glenbrook South players hit at least one 3-pointer. Noard had four, and Martinelli and forward Justin Leszynski (10 points) had two apiece.

Matthew Rosenberger, Drew Maytum, Brandon Ballarini and Rodell Davis Jr. also connected from distance.

"We are very fortunate in that we have multiple kids who can be those threats," Glenbrook South coach Phil Ralston said.

"We were able to let the game flow into the shots that we wanted."

By contrast, Maine South managed just 3 3-pointers in the first half.

Gallery impressed with his quickness off the dribble and ability to attack the basket. Forward Marko Anderson added 8 points.

The math favored Glenbrook South.

"I thought they shot very well," Maine South coach Tony Lavorato Jr. said. "Usually we play them the first time and then we get to see how well we improve.

"We are 4-2, and I like where we are."