It was only the third game of the West Suburban Silver season, but both Glenbard West and Oak Park played as if the conference title were on the line Friday night.
Before No. 15 Oak Park (8-0, 3-0) could notch a 55-52 home-court victory, it had to hold off Glenbard and Ryan Anetsberger.
The senior guard scored 13 of his team-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Hilltoppers to a 47-45 lead with 3 minutes 20 seconds to play.
With the game tied 49-49, Oak Park senior forward Christian Cornelius scored on a layup and was fouled. He hit the free throw to put the Huskies up by three, and Evan Hilton (nine points) then converted 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch.
The 6-foot-6-inch Cornelius, who tied Anetsberger for game scoring honors with 20 points of his own, tallied six of his seven baskets on layups.
“I’m just trying to stay inside,” he said. “I didn’t want to convert to the outside because I feel I’m more efficient inside.”
Glenbard West (6-2, 2-1) fell short after a triple-overtime win over Willowbrook earlier this week. Oak Park stays unbeaten heading into the Pontiac Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29-31.
