Glenbard West Stuns Waubonsie Valley, 63-62

From the first plays of the first quarter, you could sense the determination in the Glenbard West Hilltoppers.  On paper, it was the number 21 seed against the number 6 seed, but on the court it was two teams battling every minute, contesting every shot, fighting for every rebound and refusing to give in.

The Hilltoppers started out strong, taking an early 9-2 lead with Jeff Levesque, Todd Lowery and Michael Mache all hitting shots.  But just as quickly as the Hilltoppers jumped in front, Waubonsie Valley came back strong. 

The Warriors went on a 13-0 run to take the lead on Glenbard West.  Bryan Jefferson, Tyler Yanisch and Austin Keys all scored in that run, with Jakobi Johnson leading the scoring in the quarter with seven points.  Eight of the Warrior points came off turnovers.  Michael Mache was able to add two free throws before quarter end, which may have helped bring a little momentum back to West as the quarter ended at 15-11 in favor of the Warriors. 

That little momentum swing paid big dividends for Glenbard West at the start of the second quarter. The second quarter was all Hilltoppers: West finished the second quarter with an 11-2 run, ending the half with a 34-22 lead.   

“I knew we could play with any team,” said Michael Mache.  “We got off to a strong start and we’re playing with confidence.”

As would be repeated all night, though, the team that was down would tighten up on defense and turn their game around.  The second quarter was Glenbard West’s quarter, but Waubonsie Valley would own the third.    

“We let them get back in it in the third quarter,” said Glenbard West coach Tim Hoder.  “We just kept plugging away, battling for rebounds.  They didn’t lose focus, didn’t lose composure.  They just kept playing.”

As the fourth quarter started, it would be the Hilltoppers’ turn to get some defensive stops.  Down by three to start, the Hilltoppers came back a basket at a time.  While the Warriors were having some success with pressing in the third quarter, West now broke a few for some easy drive-and-dish points.  West was finding room inside all game, and the fouls were adding up for the Warriors.  The Hilltoppers would take 18 free throws in the fourth quarter, making 13 of them. 

The Hilltoppers finally regained the lead with just 1:30 remaining on two free throws by Matthew Mache.   

“I just thought we cut down on the turnovers at the end,” said Matthew Mache.  “We took the open shots and they were pressuring a lot, so the draw-and-kicks were really there.  I that that really helped at the end.”

Michael Mache had the pressure on with four seconds left in regulation and the Hilltoppers up by two.  Making one throw meant the Warriors would need a three point field goal, but making two would make it a two possession game.  Mache drained both free throws to give the Hilltoppers a 63-59 lead.

“That’s the only place I want to be,” said Mike Mache, of his two free throws with with the game on the line.  “I don’t want to be anywhere else”.

A final three point shot by the Warriors Jakobi Johnson ending the scoring, with Glenbard West winning their second upset this week, 63-62.

The Hilltoppers will be heading to the regional championship game on Friday, which is a major accomplishment this year. 

“The kids are never giving up, they’re just working at practice and it’s paying off.” said Hoder. 

The Hilltoppers will look for yet another upset on Friday as they will play the number three seed, Glenbard East.  East means West once again this year at 7:30 p.m.  at Glenbard East. 

Glenbard West 63  Waubonsie Valley 62

Glenbard West           11  23     9  20

Waubonsie Valley   15    7  24  16

Glenbard West:  Taylor 2 0-0 5, Levesque 3 2-2 8, Lowery 2 5-6 9, Matthew Mache 3 4-6 12, Michael Mache 7 14-18 28, Mazza 0 1-4 1

Waubonsie Valley:  Jefferson 1 1-2 3, Yanisch 1 0-0 2, Brownridge 6 1-2 17, Biles 1 1-2 3, Johnson 9 4-5 24, Keys 5 0-2 10, Lisauskas 1 1-2 3

Three Point Field Goals:  Glenbard West(3): Taylor, Matthew Mache(2), Waubonsie Valley(6): Brownridge(4), Johnson(2)