Geneva boys basketball rallies past Glenbard North, remains unbeaten

GENEVA – Geneva rallied in the fourth quarter of a DuKane Conference game Saturday to overtake Glenbard North and remain undefeated this season.

Trailing 35-32 at the end of the third quarter, the host Vikings outscored the Panthers 21-9 in the final quarter for their eighth win of the season, 53-44.

“We got off to a slow start. We missed some shots, and they hit some shots,” Geneva coach Scott Hennig said. “We stayed with it. I thought the fourth quarter was awesome.”

Turnovers were a key part of the turnaround. Gabe Jensen’s layup on a steal 47 seconds into the fourth quarter put Geneva (8-0, 3-0) on top for only the second time in the game, 36-35. After Glenbard North’s Matt Welch and Geneva’s Hudson Kirby traded baskets, Glenbard North’s Lamari Carpenter was whistled for a charging foul. On Geneva’s ensuing possession, Jensen drained a 3-pointer from the volleyball attack line for a 41-37 Vikings lead.

Halfway through the quarter, Welch sank a trey to make it a one-point game. John Tweed then capitalized on a Panthers double dribble call and canned a 3-pointer from the left wing to return Geneva’s margin to four, 44-40. Welch scored a team-high 14 points.

Kirby’s eighth basket of the night with 2:15 left to play maintained the four-point margin. In addition to leading all scorers with 20 points, the senior pulled down 12 rebounds.

Jack Hatton’s deft touch at the free-throw line helped seal the victory. During the last 80 seconds of play, Hatton sank five of six free throws. The senior tallied 12 points on the night, all in the second half.

“It was kind of nice that I got there more than just once because that’s the hoop I use to practice my free throws,” Hatton said. “So it was just like going through my practice routine.”

Improved rebounding was also key.

“I think the energy we brought in the fourth quarter really turned things around,” Kirby said. “Everyone was hustling around getting rebounds.”

“I thought we did a nice job on the backboards,” Hennig added. “We got some second chances.”

After an early tie at 5-5 three minutes into the first quarter, Glenbard North took the lead and held it until the third quarter. The Panthers led 15-13 after the first quarter and 25-21 at intermission.

Geneva pulled in front briefly at the 3:30 mark of the third quarter on Hatton’s first two free throws of the game, 31-30. Glenbard North (3-4, 0-3) regained the advantage on its next possession on a Carpenter (12 points) layup.

“We took a step in the right direction tonight. I’m certainly proud of how we played, not satisfied for sure,” said Glenbard North coach Kevin Tonn. “I thought defensively we proved that we can compete. Offensively, we had with three guys (Jack Schager, Welch and Carpenter) in double figures, which we’re going to need.”

Schager scored 12 points.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20241214/boys-basketball/boys-basketball-geneva-rallies-past-glenbard-north-in-4th-quarter-stays-unbeaten/