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CHAMPAIGN — There was only one appropriate way for senior forward Braden Huff and Glenbard West to complete an incredible season.
Huff, a Gonzaga recruit, scored 19 points Saturday night and the Hilltoppers won their first boys basketball state title, rolling to a 56-34 win over Whitney Young in the Class 4A championship game at the State Farm Center.
“Especially this game, being the last one with these guys, it was for sure one I was ready for and not willing to lose,” Huff said. “Over the years with these guys, playing with them has been so much fun.
“It’s been one heck of a ride. This team has been so great. Everybody comes to play. Everybody shows up.”
Glenbard West’s Paxton Warden (24) defends against Whitney Young’s Dalen Davis (3) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
Paxton Warden, who is committed to Illinois as a preferred walk-on, had a huge night on his future home court. He led Glenbard West (37-1) with 21 points.
“It meant a lot, especially doing it with these guys,” Warden said. “I’ve grown up with these dudes for a while.
“It’s kind of a sad moment because it’s our last moments together, but we made it in a good way, so I’m very excited at the same time.”
Ryan Renfro added eight points for the Hilltoppers.
Xavier Amos led Whitney Young (25-10) with 14 points and five rebounds. Dalen Davis and Miami recruit AJ Casey each chipped in with six points.
Glenbard West was untouchable in the postseason. Saturday’s 22-point win was the Hilltoppers’ smallest margin of victory in six playoff games.
Glenbard West’s Ryan Renfro, left, and Whitney Young’s Xavier Amos (5) get tangled up going for a rebound during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
The Hilltoppers’ only regular-season loss came on Feb. 5 with a 67-64 defeat to Sierra Canyon, a California team that featured LeBron James’ son, Bronny. That game was decided by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
Glenbard West won all 37 of its games against Illinois opponents and only two were by single digits — a 57-54 victory over Glenbrook South and a 51-48 win over Hillcrest, both in December.
That has some people calling the Hilltoppers one of the best teams in boys basketball state history.
“Throughout the whole year, there was definitely some noise and chatter about that,” Huff said. “We knew that it would mean nothing if we didn’t win this game. We just stayed focused throughout.
Whitney Young’s Daniel Johnson (11) tries to block a shot against Glenbard West’s Braden Huff (34) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
“We were really determined for this one goal, and to finally accomplish it and be compared with those other great teams, it’s for sure special.”
Glenbard West left no doubt Saturday night, jumping to a 13-6 lead after one quarter and a 25-16 advantage at halftime, then breaking the game open by outscoring the Dolphins 17-4 in the third quarter.
“It’s always tough when you lose and it’s tougher when you lose your last game when your expectation was to win,” Whitney Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. “I think the best team won. They played phenomenally and they’ve came ready to play all year.
“For the guys I’ve coached, I don’t have tears because they did everything we asked them to. I don’t question the fight that these guys have. We just came up short against a good team.”
Glenbard West’s Caden Pierce (3) protects the ball from Whitney Young’s AJ Casey (0) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown)
Ranked as the state’s top team all season, Glenbard West handled those expectations without ever slipping up. That was not going to change Saturday.
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“Anything can change instantly,” Renfro said. “We had to keep our heads straight, listen to coach.
“We’ve played 200 to 300 games together, and we just had to treat this like another one. We had to block out the noise and just play our game.”
The Hilltoppers did that and completed a dream season, according to senior guard Caden Pierce.
“People have been talking about us winning this for a long time, but I think we’ve been dreaming about it for even longer, since we were in elementary school and middle school,” Pierce said. “To do it with this group of seniors is a dream come true.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. CHAMPAIGN — There was only one appropriate way for senior forward Braden Huff and Glenbard West to complete an incredible season. Huff, a Gonzaga recruit, scored 19 points Saturday night and the Hilltoppers won their first boys basketball state title, rolling to a 56-34 win over Whitney Young in the Class 4A championship game at the State Farm Center. “Especially this game, being the last one with these guys, it was for sure one I was ready for and not willing to lose,” Huff said. “Over the years with these guys, playing with them has been so much fun. “It’s been one heck of a ride. This team has been so great. Everybody comes to play. Everybody shows up.” Glenbard West’s Paxton Warden (24) defends against Whitney Young’s Dalen Davis (3) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) Paxton Warden, who is committed to Illinois as a preferred walk-on, had a huge night on his future home court. He led Glenbard West (37-1) with 21 points. “It meant a lot, especially doing it with these guys,” Warden said. “I’ve grown up with these dudes for a while. “It’s kind of a sad moment because it’s our last moments together, but we made it in a good way, so I’m very excited at the same time.” Ryan Renfro added eight points for the Hilltoppers. Xavier Amos led Whitney Young (25-10) with 14 points and five rebounds. Dalen Davis and Miami recruit AJ Casey each chipped in with six points. Glenbard West was untouchable in the postseason. Saturday’s 22-point win was the Hilltoppers’ smallest margin of victory in six playoff games. Glenbard West’s Ryan Renfro, left, and Whitney Young’s Xavier Amos (5) get tangled up going for a rebound during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) The Hilltoppers’ only regular-season loss came on Feb. 5 with a 67-64 defeat to Sierra Canyon, a California team that featured LeBron James’ son, Bronny. That game was decided by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. Glenbard West won all 37 of its games against Illinois opponents and only two were by single digits — a 57-54 victory over Glenbrook South and a 51-48 win over Hillcrest, both in December. That has some people calling the Hilltoppers one of the best teams in boys basketball state history. “Throughout the whole year, there was definitely some noise and chatter about that,” Huff said. “We knew that it would mean nothing if we didn’t win this game. We just stayed focused throughout. Whitney Young’s Daniel Johnson (11) tries to block a shot against Glenbard West’s Braden Huff (34) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) “We were really determined for this one goal, and to finally accomplish it and be compared with those other great teams, it’s for sure special.” Glenbard West left no doubt Saturday night, jumping to a 13-6 lead after one quarter and a 25-16 advantage at halftime, then breaking the game open by outscoring the Dolphins 17-4 in the third quarter. “It’s always tough when you lose and it’s tougher when you lose your last game when your expectation was to win,” Whitney Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. “I think the best team won. They played phenomenally and they’ve came ready to play all year. “For the guys I’ve coached, I don’t have tears because they did everything we asked them to. I don’t question the fight that these guys have. We just came up short against a good team.” Glenbard West’s Caden Pierce (3) protects the ball from Whitney Young’s AJ Casey (0) during the Class 4A state championship game at the State Farm Center in in Champaign on Saturday, March 12, 2022. (Rob Dicker / Daily Southtown) Ranked as the state’s top team all season, Glenbard West handled those expectations without ever slipping up. That was not going to change Saturday. Daily Southtown Newsletter Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday “Anything can change instantly,” Renfro said. “We had to keep our heads straight, listen to coach. “We’ve played 200 to 300 games together, and we just had to treat this like another one. We had to block out the noise and just play our game.” The Hilltoppers did that and completed a dream season, according to senior guard Caden Pierce. “People have been talking about us winning this for a long time, but I think we’ve been dreaming about it for even longer, since we were in elementary school and middle school,” Pierce said. “To do it with this group of seniors is a dream come true.” Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.