Both the boys’ and girls‘ varsity basketball teams were victorious in Glenbard West’s annual Pack the Place event this past January eighteenth. The two teams entered the games holding 13-4 and 13-8 records respectively, hoping to continue their strong starts as they entered the second halves of the seasons. The day-long event featured a great double-header and several other activities for the Glenbard West community inside Beister Gymnasium.
Boys’ Varsity Throttles Downers Grove South, 67-37
It was a well-rounded win for the Hilltoppers over Downers Grove South as the team dominated from start to finish. Playmaker TJ Williams (Jr.) had several breakaway dunks and was the leading scorer of the game as GBW shot 57% overall from the floor. West opened the game on an eleven-two run and never looked back.
Downers Grove South also had no answer for the impenetrable West defense. The Mustangs were held to just 14 points at the end of the first half and shot 32% overall. The Hilltoppers forced eighteen turnovers, squashing any chance of a response from their opponent in their thirty-point triumph.
Girls’ Varsity Walk-Off Win Versus Downers Grove North, 36-35
The two conference rivals met in a thriller as both teams battled from start to finish. It was a slow start offensively, as the Downers Grove South Trojans led 13-11 to end the first quarter. In this defensive showcase, the Hilltoppers struggled to get inside the paint against DGN’s strong interior defenders.
Even though both teams found some success beyond the three-point line, the score was close with North leading 19-17 at the break. West’s offense eventually found some rhythm, going on an eleven-four run in the third.
In the final few minutes of the game, the Hilltoppers seemed to pull away as they led 33-27. However, DGN answered back by hitting two three-pointers to make it a one-score game with sixty seconds remaining. West struggled to break the defense’s full-court press, failing multiple attempts to get the ball past midcourt. The Trojans stole it off a long inbound pass and, with fifteen seconds left, layed it in to take a 35-34 lead.
As the clock wound down, Julia Benjamin (Sr.) powered inside and knocked down a fully contested, underhand shot to seal the game with three seconds remaining.
Other Pack The Place Activities
A local food drive, the ZOOperstars, and mid-game activities were other highlights throughout the event.
At halftime of the boys’ game, a baby race featuring several children of West teachers and staff amused the crowd as Mr. Baker manned the finish line.
The ZOOperstars, a nationwide-known inflatable character group, made multiple appearances throughout the day with dancing, comedy, and fooling with members of the audience.
A food drive organized by (organization name) brought in donations from many who attended.
Glenbard West Boosters hosted their annual $10,000 raffle and announced the winners during halftime of the girls’ basketball game.
Cotton candy was handed out by the Student Council across from the GBW merchandise stand in the main lobby of Beister Gymnasium.
As both teams are making a push for the IHSA Playoffs, there will be many events at Glenbard West where many students, friends, and family can come together again to support both athletic teams and the local community.
