16th Annual Mayor’s Goodwill Classic a Slam Dunk in 2017

LISLE, IL. March Madness came early this year at Walker Athletics when it hosted the 16th Annual Mayor’s Goodwill Classic basketball tournament. On January 22nd, 2017, basketball fans poured into the multi-sport facility to support the local 8th grade boys and girls junior high school teams participating in the long-standing tradition. The Mayor’s Goodwill Classic brings together local schools from different conferences for good basketball, school spirit, and friendly rivalries.

This year, the girl’s championship game featured Thomas Jefferson Junior High School coached by Dreama and Glenn Mueller and Glen Crest Middle School coached by Danny Sheridan. The boy’s championship game headlined Thomas Jefferson Junior High School coached by Troy Johnson and Hinsdale Middle School coached by Scott Burtnette.

The spotlight started with the girl’s division featuring two past champions. After an early exit last year, Glen Crest returned to the championship game in 2017. This marked their third appearance in the championship in four years, winning the title in 2015. The girls had their minds set on bringing home the trophy for a second time. Opposite them, Jefferson Jr. High was ready to return to its winning ways after falling short of the championship in the past few years. Jefferson’s All-Tournament team players Cydnei Mitchell (9 points) and Kyla Wilkerson (6 points) alongside teammate Kailey Terhaar (2 points) relentlessly attacked the basket in the opening minutes. Caught off guard, Glen Crest got into foul trouble early. Despite being in the bonus for most the first half, the Wolverines were unable to capitalize on their advantage. Instead, the first half belonged to Glen Crest’s Tournament MVP Lauren Cohen (14 points) and All-Tournament Team player Catherine Karr (8 points) who combined for a stellar half, scoring 16 of their team’s 22 total first half points. Glen Crest led by eight points at the break. Coming out of halftime Jefferson’s Mitchell and Wilkerson were determined to close the gap. They upped their defense, cleared the boards, and continued to attack the basket. Ultimately, however, Glen Crest proved too strong to be stopped. All-Tournament Team player Taylor Erickson (4 points) put together a strong second half while Cohen tied a tournament record dropping in two 3-point field goals to end the game. After the final buzzer, Glen Crest raised the championship trophy, their second in four years. Their outstanding performance cemented them as a Mayor’s Goodwill Classic dynasty. Final score: Glen Crest, 37 – Jefferson, 21.

Notable records include: Most 3-Pointers in a Game – 2, Ella Sebeck (St. Joseph) and Lauren Cohen (Glen Crest). Most 3-Pointers in a Tournament – 5, Lauren Cohen (Glen Crest).

The girl’s division All-Tournament Team included: Tournament MVP Lauren Cohen (Glen Crest), Catherine Karr (Glen Crest), Taylor Erickson (Glen Crest), Cydnei Mitchell (Jefferson), Kyla Wilkerson (Jefferson), Morgan Demos (St. Joseph), and Sportsmanship Award Amanda Perez (Junior Argonauts).

The boy’s championship game rounded out the night and it was worth the wait. This double-overtime thriller had the fans on the edge of their seats for the entire game. New-comer Hinsdale Middle School collided with multiple-time champion Thomas Jefferson Junior High in a championship game for the ages. Jefferson sprung out of the gates playing a fierce half court trapping defense that tested Hinsdale’s guards. On offense, Noah Blazek led the way early for Jefferson scoring all seven of his points in the first half. All-Tournament Team player Jake Dimovski (12 points) also chipped in with a 3-point field goal of his own. Despite the pressure, Hinsdale refused to be rattled. Active defense and timely threes by Jimmy Draddy (7 points) and Tournament MVP Sam Hoiberg (21 points) kept the score close going into halftime.

Right away, the fans knew the second half was set to become a duel between Jefferson’s All-Tournament Team player Conor Sukel and the MVP Hoiberg. After a quiet first half, Sukel came alive scoring 12 of his 14 total points in the second half and overtime. For Hinsdale, Sam Hoiberg caught fire from three-point territory sinking four threes on his way to setting a tournament record 10 three-point field goals in a tournament. The score went back and forth for the rest of the game. No team could gain the edge. Hinsdale dominated the glass with its twin towers Oscar Antanalitis (5 points) and All-Tournament Team player Charlie Sessa (4 points). At the same time, All-Tournament Team player Charlie Hoiberg (6 points) smothered Jefferson’s guards with tight defense. Unfazed, Jefferson’s sharp-shooter Dimovski splashed in two second half threes to keep the Wolverines in the game. As the clock ran down in regulation, Jefferson saw itself down by one point. They got the ball to Sukel. He took it strong to the hoop and scored a shot in the paint to give Jefferson the lead. Following an immediate Hinsdale timeout, Sam Hoiberg answered by sinking a three pointer to put his team up by two. On the very next possession, Jefferson’s multi-talented Sukel scored again to tie the game with 38 seconds remaining. After the basket, Hinsdale used its final timeout. Jefferson’s defense broke up Hinsdale’s inbounds play, but it wound up in the hands of Sam Hoiberg with a chance to win the game. The crowd held their breath. He put up an 8-foot floater and it rattled out at the buzzer. The fans exhaled and the game went into overtime.

Right away, Hinsdale’s Charlie Hoiberg deflected a Jefferson pass and ran in for a quick layup to put his team ahead. With the game on the line, Jefferson yet again put the ball into the steady hands of Conor Sukel. He drove past his defender and met the outstretched arms of Sessa and Antanalitis in the paint. He avoided both shot-blockers and managed to score a tough layup. The game was tied again. After a scoreless minute of intense back and forth play, the game went into double overtime. Fatigue began to set in. A difficult inbounds pass intended for Dimovski was met by the smothering defense of Charlie Hoiberg who stripped the ball and took it in for a layup. It was a big play for Hinsdale, giving them the momentum they needed. After Jefferson failed to score on the next possession, they still had time for a fierce defensive stance before they put Hinsdale on the free throw line. Hinsdale missed a close-range shot, but Michael Brescia (4 points) skied in for an acrobatic offensive rebound. They passed the ball back out to Sam Hoiberg who was fouled and sank two free throws to wrap the game up for Hinsdale. After a hard-fought 43 and a half minutes, Hinsdale Middle School hoisted the Mayor’s Goodwill Classic tournament trophy. Final score: Hinsdale, 50 – Jefferson, 48.

Notable records broken: Most Three-Pointers in a Tournament – 10, Sam Hoiberg (Hinsdale).

The boy’s division All-Tournament Team included: Tournament MVP Sam Hoiberg (Hinsdale), Charlie Hoiberg (Hinsdale), Charlie Sessa (Hinsdale), Jake Dimovski (Jefferson), Conor Sukel (Jefferson), Corey Crowder (Glen Crest) and Sportsmanship Award Jack Mielke (Herrick).

Championship awards were presented by Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully in the goodwill tradition of this annual tournament. Thank you to Mayor Martin Tully, Downers Grove North Head Coach Jim Thomas and the DGN boys basketball players, Briggs Paving, Dave Parkinson and Walker Athletics for their support and continued contributions. A special thank you to all middle school players, coaches, parents, spectators and volunteers whose support made the 16th anniversary an amazing event!