The Glenbard West boys’ boys’ basketball team (2-4, 1-0) won their first conference matchup last week with a 59-35 win over Proviso West, but Coach Jason Opoka said the team is still working to where they need to be to succeed after a 1-2 week.
“Hilltoppers are still trying to figure it out,” Opoka said. “Players have put in the effect and we will continue to ride the storm. We are looking for consistent improvement over time. Micheal O’Connell has led us offensively averaging 11ppg and six rebounds."
On Nov. 28 the Hilltoppers fell 53-45 to Dekalb, in a game led by O’Connell’s 12 points. Drew Gacek and Dominic Seaney each had eight points. Bennett Schwanke and Julian Yeh each had two steals in the game.
On Dec. 1 the Hilltoppers bounced back with a 59-35 win over the Proviso West Panthers in front of a home crowd. O’Connell had 16 points to lead the charge, while Gacek drilled four threes in the game for 12 points. TJ Williams put up nine points in the win.
On Dec. 3 the Hilltoppers lost 37-32 to Wheaton-Warrenville (4-2, 1-0) at home, with Gacek leading the scoring with nine points.
Gacek started the scoring for Glenbard West with a make from downtown to put the Hilltoppers up 3-0 to start the game. Later in the quarter TJ Williams stripped the ball and sent it downcourt to Logan Glover who scored on an acrobatic layup to make it a 7-6 lead.
In the second quarter with 6:50 on the clock, Danny Monahan showed his defensive prowess with a block. Fast forward to the third quarter and the Hilltoppers were up 16-14. Wheaton-Warrenville was trying to tie up the game when O’Connell swooped in and swatted away a shot on the baseline. The Hilltoppers were down 21-18 in the third, but Williams stepped in front of a pass for a steal and took it to the hole for a fast break layup. He was fouled on the play and made a free throw to tie up the game. Williams continued to be a pest on defense and came away with his third steal moments later.
However, Wheaton-Warrenville’s offense kicked up a notch and went on a 13-1 run before Gacek drilled his second three of the night to make it a 34-25 game in the fourth quarter. Monahan had his second block of the night int he quarter, as well. Gacek drilled his third three to put the score at 34-30 with a minute on the clock, but Wheaton-Warrenville held on for the seven point win.
It was a tight game through and through, and Glenbard West shot 41% and 20% from three, while holding them to 37% and 21% from three. The Tigers hit 64% from the line and the Hilltoppers struggled at 38%.
Next up for the Hilltoppers is a road matchup with Larkin on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., followed by a road conference matchup with Lyons on Dec. 9 at 5 p.m.
