As host of a loaded Class 3A sectional, Riverside-Brookfield relished the opportunity to potentially clash with powerhouse teams like North Lawndale, Marshall or St. Joseph for the title.
Unfortunately, Glenbard South derailed the Bulldogs’ express run to their sectional with a 75-63 win to capture the Glenbard South Regional on Friday in Glen Ellyn. With the score knotted at 39-all, the Raiders exploded for 36 points in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory. Jordan Harks scored 29 points for Glenbard South, which made 15-of-19 free throws during the decisive quarter.
“Give a lot of credit to Glenbard South,” RB coach Tom McCloskey said. “They had tremendous free throw shooting and Jordan Harks played a great game.”
Despite shooting 24 percent in the first half, RB only trailed Glenbard South 23-18 at the break. In the third quarter, junior guard Sean McGonagill (27 points) caught fire with a trio of three-pointers and a four-point play to put RB up 36-31. The Bulldogs held a 44-39 lead a few minutes into the fourth quarter when Glenbard South (20-7) closed the door with a convincing 36-19 run that abruptly ended RB’s postseason aspirations.
Dan Oswald scored 14 points and Ryan Jackson added nine for RB.
In their playoff opener, the Bulldogs routed Austin 67-32 as McGonagill (13 points), Oswald (12), Derek Tomasek (12) and Billy VandeMerkt (10) scored in double figures.
The disappointing loss to Glenbard South didn’t diminish a magical season for the Bulldogs (24-3), who claimed the best winning percentage (89 percent) and the second most victories (24) in school history. The Bulldogs also captured their eighth consecutive Metro Suburban Conference title (8-1 league record), won the Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Tournament, and garnered a third-place finish at the prestigious Jack Tosh Holiday Classic. McCloskey became the all-time winningest RB basketball coach after the Bulldogs knocked off Fenton 80-53 this season.
RB also made 19 three-pointers (tied for third most in state history) in another win over Fenton, and earned victories against Lyons Township and highly regarded Morton. However, the Bulldogs’ success transcended the box score this season, as reflected in McCloskey’s assessment of his team.
“This was a great group of kids, a great group of seniors,” he said. “Everybody got along and played unselfish basketball. We played as a team and we played hard. It really was a special season.”
McCloskey praised RB seniors Anthony and Shane Kilcoyne, Tomasek, and Oswald.
“These players did a lot for the program,” McCloskey said. “Derek had some great games and the twins [Kilcoyne brothers] were totally unselfish players.”
Oswald, a two-time all-conference player, suffered a wrist injury during the Tosh tournament but returned for the Bulldogs’ strong finish.
“It was kind of a bittersweet year for Dan because of the injury,” McCloskey said. “But he’s a great kid and one of the best shooters I’ve ever coached.”
The Bulldogs return plenty of talent next season. A terrific trio of guards in McGonagill, VandeMerkt and Jackson will headline a group that also includes several promising underclassmen.