In the aftermath of Thursday’s loss to one-loss Neuqua Valley, Metea Valley coach Bob Vozza thought his team got down on itself a little bit during a big third-quarter run from the Wildcats.
Two days after suffering a 16-point loss to one of its District 204 brethren, Vozza’s troops gave an inspired effort on its way to procuring a 51-48 victory over Hinsdale South as part of Wheaton Warrenville South’s MLK Tournament.
Battling in the paint and on the boards against a much bigger Hinsdale South team, headlined by junior center Barret Benson, Mustangs’ senior center Mark Konkle led a team effort in doubling Benson whenever possible or having one of his teammates deny in attempt to steal.
The 6-foot-11 Benson recorded game highs in both points and rebounds with 19 and 11, respectively, but Vozza had much to be pleased about with the way his team ran when opportunistic and made the most out of when Benson was on the bench.
“I think, second half especially, we did a good job, a better job of being in position to help out right away. … We had the team box out. It wasn’t one guy. It had to be all five guys from the weak-side, as well,” he said. “Fourth quarter, we got a lot of huge box out, lot of huge defensive stops. So that was key for us.”
Konkle, who’s going to play on the offensive line for Hillsdale College in Michigan, managed just nine points while in the midst of giving up five inches to Benson.
But it was enough for the Mustangs (7-10) to snap their six-game losing streak.
“Mark was trying to do his best job there to just keep (Benson) from getting that low-post position that (Benson) does a good job at,” Vozza said. “Fight him all the way down the floor. And then when he catches it, at the beginning of the game, we were looking for what (Benson) was going to do. He’s an outstanding passer, so we just decided that if we had to help right away to take our chances there.”
Spurred on by a 10-point first quarter, Ron Edwards led Metea Valley in scoring with 15 points while Dei’Ron Delarosa added 12, including hitting a three-pointer with 5:12 left in regulation to give the Mustangs the lead back for good.
Delarosa’s three-pointer began a mini 7-0 run for the Mustangs as they regained control of the game while eventually salting it away at the free-throw line.
“Guards had some spark. I liked their confidence coming out,” Vozza said. “I liked their energy coming out. It showed as we got guys going offensively.”
The Mustangs advance in the winner’s bracket of the MLK Tournament to face Benet at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
