Some things that have happened and conversation pieces for this week.
1000 POINT SCORERS:
Here are some of them.
Cooper Koch, Metamora
Tyler Mason, Metamora
Carter Hayes, Central Catholic (Bloomington)
Shaheed Solebo, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Gus Rugaard, Morton Potters
Alejandro Diaz, Fenton (Bensenville)
Congrats to all.
Other achievements:
Sophomore Zyheir Gardner of Crete Monee had a single game scoring record of 36 points
Head Coach Dave Witzig of Normal Community with his 500th career win
Josh Fridman of Glenbrook North (Northbrook) commits to Illinois Wesleyan. This is a steal as he's one of my top floor generals in the state of Illinois. Torn his ACL in a television game last February against Rolling Meadows right before the state playoffs. Team still made a run to Sectional Final where they lost to host New Trier (Winnetka) on a last second layup. Did the rehab and got back on the court in time for first regular season game. Looks back to his old self but lost significant time not getting seen by college coaches. He's definitely a low division one talent that will be playing division three basketball. Congrats young fella and showed so much resiliency getting back on the court. Tough young man and high academic. Played travel ball with Mike Weinstein and Fundamental U.
PARITY IN ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL:
There are three teams that have not lost to an Illinois team. They are Curie (Chicago), Homewood Flossmoor, and Mount Carmel (Chicago). There are two teams that have not lost to ANYONE and they are Mount Zion and Beecher. Mount Zion have a big time challenge to their undefeated record this week as they travel to defending 3A champ Metamora to their shootout to face the host team. Other wise there is big time parity as there are a number of teams who could take state titles this year. Here are some of the others besides already mentioned:
4A
Normal Community
North (Downers Grove)
Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
New Trier (Winnetka)
Glenbrook North (Northbrook)
Warren (Gurnee)
Benet Academy (Lisle)
Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)
Quincy
Collinsville
O'Fallon
Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
3A
Thornton Township (Harvey)
Kankakee
Richwoods (Peoria)
Brother Rice (Chicago)
DePaul Prep (Chicago)
Pontiac
Centralia
DR JEKYL/MR HYDE TEAMS:
There are a few of them out there they can beat a top team, some by a significant margin, then lose to a team that they should not. True ability to beat anyone or lose to anyone. Some are young teams, others have a mix of youth and experience. These are recipes for being this kind of team. These are some of the teams, there are likely more and they still have time to get it together for a playoff run:
Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
Evanston Township
Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Romeoville
Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Fenwick (Oak Park)
Glenbard North (Lombard)
Metea Valley (Aurora)
Michele Clark (Chicago)
Whitney Young (Chicago)
FLOOR GENERALS:
I myself played point guard when I played basketball and considered myself a floor general. It's not just a point guard you're a leader that needs to be an extension of a coach on the floor. Your coach needs to be able to get in your face and you take it the right way. As a scout and avid watcher of the game I'm hardest on the point guards. You have to know where everyone is supposed to be on the court and not afraid to get in a teammates face to motivate when needed. You're the general on the defensive end too which means you need to open your mouth and talk. Need to be able to pass, shoot, and defend your position. if you can defend other positions that's even better. The more versatile the better. Not many left but here are some that I see in Illinois. I did a list and will put them here in no order:
Tyreek Coleman, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora) (junior)
Josh Fridman, Glenbrook North (Northbrook)
Tristan Ford, Chicago Prep Academy (Chicago)
Tyler Mason, Metamora
Jaxson Davis, Warren Township (Gurnee) (freshman)
Bradley Longcor III, Quincy
Carlos Harris III, Curie (Chicago)
Larenz Walters, Kankakee
When Sides Collide is this week and I'll do a preview on each game.
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