Lots of storylines going into this game, Niles North sophomore guard Yaris Irby playing against his former team, and five senior transfers trying to get it together for a second half run for the season.
Evanston Township 79 Niles North (Skokie) 53: SKOKIE, ILLINOIS: I was sitting by some friends tonight who asked me a question before the game. They asked: What do I think about this game? I told them seniors (Evanston Township) should always beat sophomores (Niles North plays 4 sophomores in their rotation). I also told them Yaris Irby (6'0") should not have a big game tonight. Evanston knows all his moves and tendencies with some having played against him since childhood. The game went just about as I told my friends. When Irby drove past senior point guard Hunter Duncan(6'2") (2 steals), senior forward Prince Adams (6'6") was there (7 blocks). When he did get loose his shots were contested and when they were not he just missed shots. Irby has had some big scoring games this season, but may have been pressing trying to have a big game against his former school. Irby did fill out the stat sheet 18 points (6 for 20 shooting), 8 rebounds 6 assists but Evanston made him work for everything. He was the only Viking in double figures. Meantime the Wildcats may have had their best all around game this season. Senior forward Josh Thomas (6'6") was aggressive looking for his shot and hitting the glass (12 points 6 rebounds), senior guard Malachi Barrett (6'1") had 10 points. Adams had a double/double 20 points 11 rebounds 5 steals to go along with his rim protecting and blocking shots. Duncan had 10 points 5 assists, and junior point guard Brandon Watson (5'9") had 13 points 2 steals off the bench. Great all around effort by Evanston Township this could be the turning point in their confidence level as a team. Sophomore forward Hunter Gawron (6'5") had 9 points and senior guard Edward Holom (6'2") had 8 points for Niles North. Evanston Township ups it's record to 14-4, while Niles North (Skokie) dropped to 13-4.
Notes:
#3 Kenwood Academy (Chicago) knocked off Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) 66-63 on their home court for a big stranglehold on the Chicago Public League Red South/Central.
Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) has a big upset at #11 Lyons Township (LaGrange) avenging a 30 point loss at home in December. Junior guard Bennett Schwanke (5'11") with the game winner.
Loyola Academy (Wilmette) handles a sophomore laden St Laurence team.
#7 Mount Carmel (Chicago) handles DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago) at home.
DePaul College Prep (Chicago) has a double digit win at Marmion Academy (Aurora).
Kevin Katovich of Rollng Meadows won his 300th game tonight.
Kelton McEwen of Bartlett scored his 1000th point tonight.
Top performances tonight:
Prince Adams, Evanston Township 20 points 11 rebounds (double/double) 5 steals 7 blocks
Benji Zander, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) 18 points
Maurice Thomas, DePaul College Prep (Chicago) 20 points
PJ Chambers, DePaul College Prep (Chicago) 18 points
Darshan Thomas, Fenwick (Oak Park) 19 points 5 rebounds
Raeshom Harris, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) 19 points
Sanatana Flowers, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) 13 points 13 rebounds (double/double)
Mike Gardner, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) 10 rebounds 10 blocks (double/double)
Quentin Jones, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights) 19 points
AJ Levine, York (Elmhurst) 26 points
Braden Richardson, York (Elmhurst) 18 points
Larenz Walters, Kankakee 18 points
Gage Phillips, Morris 20 points 7 rebounds
Jack Wheeler, Morris 17 points (sophomore)
Cam Kuhl, Fremd (Palatine) 19 points 6 rebounds
DeAndre Craig, Mount Carmel (Chicago) 21 points
Lee Marks III, Mount Carmel (Chicago) 18 points
LeBaron Lee, Yorkville 20 points
Asa Thomas, Lake Forest 32 points (4 threes) 10 rebounds (double/double)
Tommie Aberle, Lake Forest 27 points 10 rebounds (double/double)
Stefan Cicic, Riverside Brookfield 22 points
DJ Wallace, Hoffman Estates 16 points 17 rebounds (double/double) 3 blocks
BJ Sutton, Richards (Oak Lawn) 17 points
Darrin Ames, Kenwood Academy (Chicago) 20 points
Cameron Christie, Rolling Meadows 18 points 6 rebounds 5 assists
James Stevenson Jr, Momence 29 points 15 rebounds (double/double) 5 assists 9 steals
Graham Lathan, St Rita (Chicago) 30 points
Joey Pantazis, Niles West (Skokie) 17 points
Nehemia Dunn, Waukegan 28 points 13 rebounds (double/double)
Eoin Dillon, Notre Dame (Peoria) 19 points
Cooper Koch, Notre Dame (Peoria) 19 points
Troy Cicero, Romeoville 26 points
Meyoh Swansey, Romeoville 24 points
Jon Kone, Westmont 26 points
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