[quote]By Nirmal Mulaikal
Sports Editor
Photo by Nirmal Mulaikal[/quote]

In the Class 4A Glenbard East Regional opener, boys’ basketball took home the victory 75-69  in their opening playoff game with tough defense and timely offense against 20th seed Glenbard North.  Sitting at 14-15 overall in the season, the team will now face fourth seeded Hinsdale South in the regional semifinals Tuesday night.

“We were locked in mentally and Coach Vozza put us in positions to succeed,” senior forward and center Ben Jones said. “We tried to share the ball and force them to take tough shots and it paid off in the end.”

Throughout the game, the team played to their strengths. Priding themselves on defense, attacking the paint, and teamwork, the Mustangs shot 20-27 from the free throw line, caused more than 10 turnovers, and had multiple players score in double digits.

“It shows that we are balanced as a team and that we try to pressure the other team in whatever way we can, whether it means driving to the basket or getting steals,” senior guard Matthew Helwig said. “Each player understood their role and contributed in their own way.”

The  team also received a huge lift from sophomore center Malik Hall, who finished the game with 28 points in his first varsity playoff game, including 17 points in the second half to seal the game. His constant presence near the basket and playmaking ability complimented Metea’s crafty  guards throughout. “Malik is a special player and I think people are starting to recognize how talented he really is,” Jones said. “He can do a lot of things and we needed all of it last night.”

Although the team has a big test ahead, this team has seven returning seniors from last year’s regional championship team along with an influx of capable underclassmen like Hall, sophomore Jayden Reed, and freshman Payton Thorne. To the players, their focus remains solely on the Hinsdale South game.“We need to stop their two best players and make sure we play to our strengths and abilities and not theirs,” Helwig said.