Glenbard West Starts Out Tournament Play With a Win

Glenbard West started strong, scoring the first 11 points of the game and dominating the first quarter 16-1 over the West Chicago Wildcats.  The Hilltoppers led until the fourth quarter when the Wildcats took a brief two point lead.  Glenbard West fought back to take back the lead and win the game, 64-59. 

 It was a welcome start for the Hilltoppers in the ninth annual Holiday Classic tournament.  The offense and defense were hitting on all cylinders to start the game.  Michael Mache contributed eight points in that first quarter, followed by Egan Montgomary with four.  Pat Mazza was tough under the boards with several blocked shots and rebounds. Overall the aggressive Glenbard West defense caused turnovers and confusion on the part of West Chicago. 

Anticipating the pass was a big part of a solid defensive first quarter.  “When we put pressure on the ball, we know where the pass is going to go” said senior forward Evan Fischl, explaining the numerous Hilltopper’s steals. 

The teams played the second quarter pretty evenly until the Wildcats ran off the last six points of the quarter to cut the lead to 33-23. 

Whenever things started to look like trouble for West, they seemed to rally and find a way to change the momentum.  Shaking off the end of the half run by West Chicago, the Hilltoppers came back aggressively in the third quarter, opening a 16 point margin again, 47-31. 

You have to give the Wildcats credit, though, because no sooner had Glenbard opened the lead that West Chicago went on a 14-0 run to end the third quarter and start the fourth.   The Wildcat defensive pressure took its toll on the Hilltoppers, but they also managed to convert some easy baskets when they broke the press.

“West Chicago upped the pressure on us.  Composure is the key—keeping your head in the game,” said Fischl.   “When we’re patient we’re fine."   

West Chicago took a 53-51 lead midway through the fourth quarter, but Glenbard West quickly tied the score and never trailed again, though the quarter was tense.  The Hilltoppers were a little over aggressive on the Wildcat drives, giving West Chicago 18 free throw opportunities in the second half. 

“We didn’t do a good job taking the charge,” said Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder.  “We bailed them out by fouling them and not forcing them to take the shot.” 

West Chicago’s Justin Mundt was 15-15 from the free throw line with 27 total points.  The Hilltoppers were led by Michael Mache with 31.

Glenbard West is now 1-0 in their tournament.  The next home Hilltopper game is Tuesday, December 21, at 8:00 PM against a tough Fenton team. 

Glenbard West 64  West Chicago 59

Glenbard West: Montgomery 3 2-2 8, Levesque 1 2-3 4, Lowery 3 0-1 6, Matthew Mache 1 2-4 4, Michael Mache 10 11-12 31, Mazza 3 5-6 11

West Chicago: Evans 2 3-3 7, Baids 1 2-4 4, Zajac 1 0-0 2, Alamaraz 0 1-2 1, Weier 0 1-2 1, Gimre 2 2-2 4, Mundt 6 15-15 27, Peterson 1 2-4 4, Martin 1 0-2 3, Hedmark 2 0-0 4

Three-point Field Goals:  West Chicago 1, Martin

Fouled Out: Glenbard West:  Lowery