Glenbrook South denies Libertyville shot at Wheeling crown
Glenbrook South was pointing Noard Wednesday in the semifinals of the Wheeling Hardwood Classic.
The Titans' Cooper Noard hit a trio of 3-pointers to lift his team past Libertyville 60-43.
Glenbrook South (12-1) will be playing in its second consecutive title game in the Hardwood Classic. The Titans lost to Notre Dame in the last tournament held in 2019.
Glenbrook South will meet district rival Glenbrook North (9-1) in the title game on Thursday at 8:45 p.m. Glenbrook North beat Prospect 57-48 in the other semifinal.
Libertyville (10-5) will meet Prospect (7-5) in the third place game at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday.
"Hopefully we will have a better result than the last time we played in a championship game here," Glenbrook South coach Phil Ralston said. "When you don't play your best or shoot your best and win by 17 you can't be that mad. I know we can play better than this."
Libertyville assistant coach Ricky Kolze, who is acting head coach with current Libertyville head coach Brian Zyrkowski in COVID protocols, said his team fought hard.
"I'm happy with the guys," Kolze said. "They competed hard. They are a really good team obviously. Our goal was to come in and fight to the end."
Libertyville jumped out to quick 4-0 lead. But that's when Noard and the Titans began to settle in from outside the arc.
Noard, who is committed to Cornell, hit a trio of 3-pointers and Spencer Brown also connected on a 3 as the Titans opened up an 18-11 lead early in the second quarter.
Libertyville's John Graham hit a basket to cut the margin to 18-13.
Nick Martinelli then took over for the Titans. The Elon University commit hit a pair of baskets and RJ Davis completed the rare 4-point play and suddenly Glenbrook South led 28-15.
Glenbrook South increased its lead to 39-21 midway through the third quarter.
Libertyville began to slowly cut into the Titan lead. The Wildcats got as close as 41-28 early in the fourth quarter on a basket by Chase Bonder. But Glenbrook South was to prevail.
Libertyville had a rough night shooting, The Wildcats shot 25 percent through the first three quarters but finished up strong late.
"We had some layups and some missed shots," Kolze said. "We had some open shots if we hit, the game is a little bit closer."
Libertyville was led by Chase Bonder, who had 16 points. Will Buchert had 8 points while John Graham and Jack Huber each had 7 points.
Glenbrook South was led by Martinelli, who had 20 points. Spencer Brown had 11 points and Noard had 13 points and 3 assists while Gaven Marr had 9 points,