Boys Basketball: David Cohn powers York past Glenbard West

The hottest team in the West Suburban Silver continues to reach even higher temperatures.

David Cohn poured in 29 points to go with five assists Friday as York (18-7, 7-3) extended its winning streak to 13 games with a 68-41 win at Glenbard West (14-6, 5-4).

“We clicked at the right time at the end of December and haven’t looked back,” Cohn said, “and I give a lot of credit to the coaches keeping our heads on straight and staying positive even when we weren’t winning. Now that we’re rolling the whole attitude of the team is up.”

The Dukes started rolling Friday after Glenbard West’s Matthew Mache (11 points) hit his second consecutive three-pointer to put the Hilltoppers up 12-10 with 2:40 left in the first quarter.

A 9-0 York run to close the first quarter followed, as the Hilltoppers had turnovers on five straight possessions.

While Cohn was a consistent force throughout the night, plenty of help in an unselfish York offense came from Matt DiFrancesca (12 points, five assists), Jake Rzeszutko (10 points, four assists) and Mike Despinich (10 points, five rebounds off the bench).

“We’re really clicking offensively as a group,” Cohn said. “It’s not just one person. It’s a different guy that steps up every night. Me, Jake and DiFrancesca are going to get ours every night, but then Mike Despinich had a great game tonight.”

Pat Mazza (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Michael Mache (10 points) were other leaders for Glenbard West. The Hilltoppers’ usual point guard JeffLevesque played limited minutes due to injury, as York impressively topped a 53-44 win in the two teams’ Jan. 6 meeting in Elmhurst.

“He obviously would have helped them out a lot, but we’re playing great either way,” Cohn said. “A win’s a win and we’ll take it.”

York closed the first half on a 20-6 run to lead 30-16 at halftime. The Hilltoppers had just one field goal and eight turnovers in that nearly 11-minute span.

A Rzeszutko three-pointer with 6:30 left in the third quarter upped York’s lead to 39-21, and the advantage continued to grow as the Dukes’ streak emphatically continued.

“It’s a whole chemistry thing,” Cohn said. “ I think we’re coming together and this is what’s happening.

“We worked really hard this week and prepared well. We had a good game plan coming in and executed it really well and fortunately got the ‘W’.

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