NT_021617

northbrooktower.com sports
the northbrook tower | February 16, 2017 | 35
boys basketball
GBN closes in late, but can’t top Maine East
Spartans drop fifth
game in a row
2nd Century File Photo
1st-and-3
Stars of the Week
1. Kelly Lazar
(ABOVE).
The Glenbrook
North gymnast
earned the best
all-around score
for the Spartans
and placed ninth
in the vault to
advance to state
at-large on Feb. 6
at the Stevenson
Sectional.
2. Max Knebelkamp.
The GBN basketball
player scored
12 points, with a
three-point play
and two forced
turnovers late in
the game, in the
Spartans’ 62-57
loss to the Blue
Devils on Feb. 10
in Northbrook.
3. Brittany Ulrich.
The Spartans
gymnast took
eighth place in the
parallel bars event
for the Spartans
at the Sectional
competition on
Feb. 6 in Lincolnshire.
David Jaffe
Freelance Reporter
The six seniors on the
Glenbrook North boys
basketball team will ultimately
be remembered
not just for their contributions
on the basketball
court but across GBN athletics
in general.
When they were honored
on senior night Friday,
Feb. 10, that’s what
stood out to coach Dave
Weber, more than the outcome
of the game, a 62-57
loss to Maine East.
Weber was particularly
appreciative of Thomas
Witty and Evan Just, who
may not get the playing
time the rest of the seniors
do. But they are very important
to the Spartans.
“I was really happy
for Thomas and Evan.
They’re two of the best
kids in our program,”
Weber said. “They’re the
heart and soul of this team
and really bring the best
out of everyone in practice.
I wish I could have
gotten them in the game
more but it was a scramble
in the second half.”
Weber also knows that
the seniors give a lot to
every sport they play
as four are multi-sport
athletes.
“These guys have a lot
Glenbrook North senior Tommy Gertner dives on a loose ball during the game against Maine East Friday, Feb. 10,
in Northbrook. Photos by Varsity Views
of athletic ability,” Weber
said. “Luke (Amen)
and Tommy (Gertner)
are three-sport athletes.
Thomas and Evan are twosport
athletes. They’ve
done so much for their
school and all their teams.
It’s not easy. They’ve put
in a lot of time and work
and to do that is impressive.”
The Spartans (10-14,
3-6) ultimately dropped
their fifth game in a row
despite a big fourth-quarter
comeback. Defending
with a sense of urgency,
they cut a 12-point deficit
to three, forcing Blue
Demons turnovers with
their press. Six points
from James Karis, buckets
by Kellen Witherell
and Max Knebelkamp and
Evan Barnes’ free throw
cut a 48-38 deficit to just
52-49. Maine East’s Yash
Singapori drained four
free throws which got it
up to 56-49. The teams
traded points with the
Blue Demons knocking
down four more foul shots
Please see b-ball, 33
Max Knebelkamp plays defense against Maine East.
Listen Up
“I cannot say enough about what
exceptional young ladies they are.”
Julie Holmbeck — GBN gymnastics coach on the team.
tunE in
What to watch this week
BOYS BASKETBALL: The Spartans will face off
against the Cougars.
Glenbrook North will compete at Vernon Hills at
7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.
Index
33 - Girls gymnastics
30 - Athlete of the Week
Fastbreak is compiled by Assistant Editor Sarah Haider. Send
any questions or comments to s.haider@22ndcenturymedia.com.