Glenbrook South was heavily favored but trailed Glenbrook North by 11 points after one quarter on Friday in Northbrook.
The Titans, who were undefeated, needed a pick-me-up in order to get back in the game and avoid an upset. Glenbrook South senior guard Stevon Boyd provided the spark.
Boyd scored six points, had two keys steals and some nice transition assists as the Titans outscored the Spartans by 13 in the second quarter.
Glenbrook South remained in control in the second half, built a huge lead and prevailed 57-36.
Boyd, a 6-foot guard, finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. He played fine defense and seemed to be the first one to every loose ball.
“(My role in the comeback) was just playing really hard defense, finding the open guy and just playing hard, really hard,” Boyd said. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do the whole season.”
The Titans (10-0, 3-0 Central Suburban South as of Monday) entered this week’s Wheeling Hardwood Classic just one win shy of equaling the best start in program history.
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Star senior Dom Martinelli has been at the heart of Glenbrook South’s success, but Boyd has been a major asset.
“(Boyd) has played fantastic,” Titans coach Phil Ralston said. “He just seems to get better and better each game. He’s playing with great athletic ability, provides us a spark defensively. He’s just so doggone quick.
“He is able to put pressure on guys in a way some of our other guys are not capable of doing, and he does have the ability to stretch the defense a little on the perimeter.”
Martinelli said Boyd routinely has helped lift the Titans as he did against Glenbrook North (4-6, 0-3 as of Monday).
“(Boyd) is all over the court, getting steals, getting put backs,” Martinelli said. “When other people are down, he always has our energy, brings it up for us.”
After playing on varsity as a sophomore, Boyd was ineligible as a junior because of academics. Boyd said it was a difficult time, but also a learning experience.
“I’ve grown from it, a lot,” Boyd said. “It was really tough, obviously. I could have played a lot last year. (Before that season) people were telling me to pick things up (in school), and I was trying, but I couldn’t. My junior year was a rough one for me.”
Boyd admitted there came a time when he stopped trying so hard in school. But he said those days are in the past.
“At the beginning of (last season), I had opportunities, but my mindset changed. I was like, ‘Since I’m not playing, why try?’ and I basically gave up on school.
“But now, I know not to give up. I’m really working hard, my grades are good and I’m on a good path.”
Boyd said the experience has fueled him this season, and he is looking to make up for lost time. The Titans certainly are happy to have Boyd back in their ranks.
“We knew when he came back that he was really going to help us,” Martinelli said. “We’re really excited to have him, he’s going to help us a lot. Especially trying to win conference, we’re going to need him every game.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press