The Glenbard West boys’ basketball team (4-4, 2-0) had a pair of wins on the road last week, one against Larkin (0-8, 0-3) and then a conference victory over Lyons (2-4, 1-1).
On Dec. 7 the Hilltoppers traveled to Larkin and cruised to victory with a 66-34 win led by TJ Williams with 16 points. The game was out of reach from the start, as Glenbard West had a 33-6 lead in the second quarter.
Logan Glover scored 11 points in the win. Gacek had two threes in the game and O’Connell recorded three steals to go with his nine points.
Glenbard West shot 68% and 56% from three, while holding Larkin to 32% and 36% from downtown. They had 24-19 advantage in boards, 14-9 in assists, 13-7 in steals and 2-0 in blocks.
On Dec. 9 the Hilltoppers took another lopsided win, 54-34 over Lyons.
Drew Gacek started off the scoring for the Hilltoppers with a three to go up 3-0. Williams then showed off his defense, stepping in front of a pass for a big steal on the next Larkin possession. Tied 3-3, Gacek launched his second three of the night to make it a three point lead. Gacek also had a steal in the quarter for the Hilltoppers when the game was 10-5 in their favor. Up 13-5, Bennett Schwanke also picked off a pass for a steal.
Fast forward to the second quarter and Schwanke nailed a corner three to go up 21-7. Leading 23-10, Williams jumped in front of a pass for a steal.
It was a 36-22 lead for Glenbard West in the third quarter when Williams recorded his third steal of the night. The Hilltoppers then went on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three for Julian Yeh.
In the fourth quarter Williams drilled a three to make it a 49-27 game, and held on for the easy win.
Glenbard West shot 45% from the floor and from three, while hitting all their free throws. They held Larkin to 33% and 28% from three. The Hilltoppers led 26-19 in boards, 16-10 in assists and 7-4 in steals.
Gacek had 11 points that included three makes from downtown in the win. Williams put up 11 points and O’Connell had nine points.
This week the Hilltoppers have Glenbrook South on Dec. 12 and St. Charles North on Dec. 16.
