The way senior forward Jackson Corbett sees it, Metea Valley has some scores to settle this season in the DuPage Valley Conference. And he has the memories to prove it.
Corbett remembers well what the Mustangs endured last season, going 2-8 in the DVC. Two of the toughest losses actually were against district rival Waubonsie Valley.
It was hard to tell which stung more — a 24-point setback on the road last December to the Warriors or the four-point loss in overtime in the second meeting.
“Just getting revenge, getting back at them was on our minds,” Corbett said. “They killed us the first time and we got close the second. We were out for blood.”
Metea got some semblance of revenge Friday night, surviving 60-54 in OT.
The difference for the Mustangs?
Outstanding long-distance shooting from the 6-foot-4 Corbett, who showed off his range by hitting three 3-pointers on four attempts en route to 11 points for Metea (5-2, 1-1).
The Mustangs made 9 of 16 from 3-point range, outscoring the Warriors 27-9 from the arc.
Corbett was one of four starters in double figures for balanced Metea. He added five rebounds, three blocked shots, two steals and two assists.
“I like to see myself as a glue guy,” Corbett said. “I try to hold the team together — do what the team needs me to do and just come out with energy every game.”
Senior guard Quentin Schaffer led Metea with 12 points. Junior forward Treshawn Blissett had 10 of his 12 points in the second half for Waubonsie (6-2, 1-1).
“Jackson is just a great team player,” Schaffer said of Corbett. “He makes shots and always has a positive attitude. I love playing alongside him.”
Corbett and Schaffer were joined in double figures by senior guard Jahki Gray and junior guard Nick Schroeder with 11 points apiece.
Will Ashford, a 6-6 junior forward and Metea’s fifth starter, added nine points.
“No one cares who is scoring the points,” Schaffer said. “We just want to win. Whoever has the hot hand, that’s whose going to score. No one is going to be mad if they don’t score.”
Metea came out with the energy coach Isaiah Davis had been preaching all week. The Mustangs led 17-12 after one quarter and 27-20 at halftime.
They led by as much as 12 points early in the second half before Waubonsie rallied behind Blissett.
“‘Tre’ hasn’t had a good couple of games,” Waubonsie coach Andrew Schweitzer said. “It was nice to see him step up.
“No excuses. I don’t think we had good energy. Metea came out and wanted it more.”
Gray, who made 8 of 9 free throws at the start of the game, missed the front end of a one-and-one with his team trailing 50-49.
Jackson Langendorf, who finished with 12 points, extended the lead with two free throws. Gray responded, however, with the shot of the game.
His 3-pointer from NBA range forced a 52-52 tie with 6.5 seconds remaining.
“It just says a lot about him and the player that he is,” Davis said of Gray.
Gray confirmed he might have hung his head after missing such a free throw last season.
“I had to show leadership,” he said. “It looked off, but by the grace of God, it went in.”
Corbett then drained a 3-pointer and the Mustangs finished with an 8-2 run in the extra session.
“He’s our leader, our unquestioned leader,” Davis said of Corbett. “He keeps us stable, keeps the kids always on task and is a great shooter, great defender.
“They’re a good team but so are we. People need to start noting that. It’s a fun group, and I think they’ll get better as the year goes on.”