KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS: Long trip down I-57 especially in rush hour traffic. Did get some local PoBoy on the way home. It was worth the trip as it was a fun game to watch. A senior point guard and sophomore combo guard showed the way. Here we go:
#20 KANKAKEE 68 CENTENNIAL (Champaign) 61: Centennial came up I-57 hoping to pull an upset on the road, hoping Kankakee is looking ahead to gigantic matchup at #3 Thornton Township (Harvey) on Thursday. They made it a game for at least a half, and then made it close late in fourth quarter, but Kankakee held on. Centernnial has only lost to Mount Zion twice this year before this game. They led 14-12 after one quarter, and game was tied 27 all at halftime. Then senior point guard Larenz Walters took over at start of third quarter, hitting a three, getting a steal and basket, then a driving bucket for 7 points in a 9-0 run for Kankakee. Then sophomore combo guard Lincoln Williams decided he wanted to put on a dunk show. Had 4 dunks in the second half, starting with a nasty follow-up dunk (WATCH YOUR HEAD), then a driving one hand dunk (WATCH YOUR HEAD AGAIN!!!), then a steal and dunk, and finally a one handed nasty follow-up dunk. Kankakee led 50-40 at end of an exciting thrid quarter scoring 23 points in the stanza. It wasn't over yet though as Centennial went on a 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter to make it 50-46. Then Walters started taking over with his floor game, and senior guard Damontae May joined the fray hitting 4 straight free throws at the end for final margin. Centennial was led by senior guard (5'11") Todd Makubu with 16 points 4 rebounds 2 assists and 1 steal. Sophomore guard Jadin Schib (6'5") tried to match Williams with 14 points 9 rebounds 1 assist and 1 block. Junior guard (6'1") O'Neil Johnson was the other player in double figures with 11 points (3 threes) 2 rebounds 3 assists. Kankakee upps it's record to 9-0 heading into gigantic matchup with Thornton Township (Harvey) in Thursday, while Centennial (Champaign) drops to 7-3.
Lincoln Williams, 6'6" sophomore combo guard, Kankakee I have said is Top 10 but might be higher. He's as talented as the top players in his class. Difference is most do not know about him and his talent. It's hard to figure out since he plays club basketball for the Mac Irvin Fire. This is not the first time I've seen him play but he has improved every facet since last I saw him play. He does it all on both ends of the court. He was everywhere tonight as evidence by his game high 19 points 8 rebounds 1 assist 4 steals and 4 blocks. Hit 2 threes in the first half and had 4 dunks in the second half. Could have scored anytime he wanted to tonight, but uses his teammates well and trusts them.
Larenz Walters, 6'2" point guard, Kankakee is one of the most underrated floor generals in the area. Two sport star as a quarterback in football, is a college prospect in both sports. Looks like he'll likely play basketball. His instincts on defense are next level and decided to take over the game early in the third quarter. Scored 7 of his 13 points in a 2 minute span to start the quarter. Added 1 rebound 4 assists and 2 steals. Had a lot of hockey assists tonight and created opportunities for his teammates all night.
Eli Stipp, 6'6" junior forward, Kankakee was a rim protector tonight as well as scoring on rebound baskets and off passes from teammates. Had 14 points 7 rebounds 2 assists and 4 blocks tonight.
Damontae May, 6'0" senior combo guard, Kankakee is a good thrid wheel for this team. Does a little bit of everything on both ends of the court. Scores when needed, gets assists when needed, as well as rebounds and steals. Had 11 points (6 for 6 from free throw line) 4 rebounds 1 assist and 1 steal.
Top performances:
Mason Peterson, Pecatonica 39 points (13 threes, 6 in first quarter)
Tyler Mason of Metamora scores a career high 41 points
Luke Hopp, Metamora 20 points (career high)
Rylan White, Heritage 19 points
Yigit Akgunlu, Reavis (Burbank) 27 points
Malachi Persinger, Christian (Peoria) 27 points (junior)
Gavin Walder, Christian (Peoria) 16 points (junior)
Jayden Riley, Christian (Yorkville) 34 points (sophomore)
Zach Marini, Christian (Yorkville) 20 points (junior)
Tyler Curl, Prarie Central (Fairbury) 24 points
Gage Steidinger, Prairie Central (Fairbury) 18 points
Levi Goad, Prairie Central (Fairbury) 16 points
Jack Wheeler, Morris 30 points 7 rebounds (junior)
Griffin Zweeres, Morris 18 points 4 steals (junior)
Baine Beshoar, Morris 11 points 9 rebounds (junior)
Caston Norris, Morris 7 points (game tying three at end of regulation) 5 assists
Troyer Carlson, Kaneland (Maple Park) 33 points
Nehemiah Dunn, Waukegan 23 points
Simereon Carter, Waukegan 22 points (sophomore)
Sam Donald, Columbia 17 points 9 rebounds (junior)
Jason Jakstys, Yorkville 15 points
Adyn McGinley, Beecher 16 points 9 rebounds 3 steals
Carson Bahrey, Somonauk 19 points 4 steals
Michael Nee, Glenbard East (Lombard) 22 points 4 rebounds 3 steals
Danny Snyder, Glenbard East (Lombard) 16 points 5 rebounds 2 assists (sophmore)
Aleks Jajic, Glenbard East (Lombard) 16 points 8 rebounds 5 assists
Ari Pierson, Glenbard East (Lombard) 10 points 10 rebounds (double/double)
Rae'Qwon Rogers, Bowen (Chicago) 25 points (junior)
Tanner Siems, St Joe Ogden 19 points
Calvin "CJ" Worsham, Christ The King (Chicago) 24 points 14 rebounds (double/double) 6 assists 3 steals 2 blocks
Chris Buford, Christ The King (Chicago) 15 points
Cameron Mercer, Riverside Brookfield 24 points (sophomore)
Stefan Cicic, Riverside Brookfield 20 points 13 rebounds (double/double)
Jaxson Davis, Warren Township (Gurnee) 20 points (freshman)
Immanuel Brown, Warren Township (Gurnee) 16 points
Lonnie Mosley, Evergreen Park 30 points (sophomore)
David Vargas, Sandburg (Orland Park) 33 points
Ryan Tomczak, Sandburg (Orland Park) 30 points
Donte Montgomery Jr, Oak Lawn 38 points (junior)
Micah Meiss, El Paso Gridley 23 points
Gus Rugaard, Morton 23 points
Wes Gudeman, Morton 17 points (junior)
Nick Johnson, Manteno 23 points
BJ Powell, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) 17 points 4 steals (sophomore)
Karson Thomas, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) 15 points 9 rebounds (sophomore)
Grantas Sakenis, Andrew (Tinley Park) 20 points
Kaleb Simms, Andrew (Tinley Park) 19 points
Danny Laird, Andrew (Tinley Park) 17 points
Ross Robertson, South Beloit 32 points 15 rebounds (double/double)
Coltan Porter, South Beloit 15 points (freshman)
Aidan Bardic, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) 17 points (junior)
Atticus Richmond, Stevenson (Lincolnshire) 14 points 13 rebounds (double/double) (junior)
Drelyn Jones, Leyden (Franklin Park) 16 points
Izzy Rodriguez, Leyden (Franklin Park) 15 points
Bryce Turner, Lockport 16 points 4 assists
Logan Cooper, Lockport 16 points
Isaiah Martinez, Plano 17 points (junior)
Ethan Thomas, Beardstown 16 points 4 steals 3 assists
Isaac Brockschmidt, Beardstown 17 points 5 rebounds 4 assists
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