New thing I'm going to give my takes on subjects pertaining to Illinois High School basketball. Here we go:
1) There's a young man named Jordan Carpenter who's at Thornridge (Dolton). He's not eligible to play because I'm told Lincoln Park has held up his paperwork and ok for him to play. He was 6'5" and has grown to 6'9". He's a junior and Lincoln Park's AD is on a leave of absence. Should not matter, whomever is in charge over there needs to clear him and yesterday. He played on the JV last year for Pete's Sake, why hold him up. It's past time to clear him so he can play. Over 200 transfers in the off season and most are on the court playing, some did not move at all. Not saying they shouldn't play but if they are cleared, then Carpenter should be playing. Off my soapbox for now.
2) Holiday tournaments are coming up all over the state. I feel Illinois has the best holiday tournaments in the country. Lots of tradition and Pontiac is the oldest, but the deepest this year is Jack Tosh at York (Elmhurst). Teams in the event have the best record combined of any other holiday tournament. Speaking of Pontiac:
3) Warren Township (Gurnee) was kicked out of Pontiac in lieu of St Rita (Chicago). I think Pontiac thought they was getting the team with Class of 2024 top talents Morez Johnson Jr, James Brown, and Nojus Industraitis and the like. Well that team had a historic breakup and Johnson Jr is at Thornton, Brown at Link Academy (MO), and Inudstraitis at Brewster Academy (NH). Meanwhile Warren has one of the top freshman in years in point guard Jaxson Davis, who would have been an entertaining addition to Pontiac. Warren by the way is at Proviso West Holiday Tournament strengthening that event which has been down a few years. I feel Pontiac will regret kicking out Warren. Maybe they can try to get them back next year? Not sure Warren would be up to going back but we'll see.
4) IHSA loaded the Class 3A Ottawa Township Super Sectional. Thornton (Harvey) Sectional has the host along with Brother Rice (Chicago) aka Recliner Boys and dark horse Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights). On the other side the Pontiac Sectional which is split into sub sectionals (I dislike that concept), they have defending champ Metamora, Richwoods (Peoria), Morton (IL) in one sub sectional. The other has Kanakee which will play one of these other three teams. Only one of these big time clubs will make it to Champaign. Shame shame.
5) Lots of talk about Illinois getting a shot clock. I wrote an article with suggestions to put in one AND think it's not as complicated as some want it to be. Notice I said some WANT it to be. Too many folks trying to talk their way out of getting one and keeping that game antiquated in this state.
6) No powerhouse teams this year. Class 3A and 4A are wide open. Maybe some separation will take shape in the holiday tournaments? I say this will be that way all season and wreck havoc on my rankings (LOL).
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