Head Coach Carlos Tolliver is the second year coach and trying to bring the nastiness back to the Manley Wildcats. Tolliver is a long time coach in the Chicago Public League Red West with North Lawndale. They were a long time Red West contender back in the days, and had triple double machine Luther Head who played at Illinois and in the NBA. Manley is 19-9. Enrollment has dropped in the school and they've dropped down to the White division, one step below the Red. They have some good players to build on and have won back to back titles in this division. They beat Austin last week for the title. Here are some of the players:
Jonathan Calmese, 6'2" senior point guard: He transferred in from Red North/West Farragut Career Academy and has steadied the team. Does a little bit of everything filling the stat sheet with points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He's been under the radar most of his high school career though he's a 4 year starter on varsity. He had 16 points 6 rebounds 7 assists 1 steal and 1 block in title game against Austin. Has averaged around 20 points 6 rebounds 9 assists and 3 steals this season. College coaches need to get on the boat for this young man.
Jaali Love, 6'7" sophomore wing: Do it all player. Plays all over the court for Manley. He brings the ball up the court, posts up, shoots pull-up jumpers from mid range and the three. Another stat sheet filler as he's put up big time numbers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He had 9 points 6 rebounds 1 assist 3 steals and 1 block. he's had a series of double/doubles and 1 triple double this season. Averages around 20 points 11 rebounds 5 assists 5 steals and 4 blocks. Already has a couple of division one offers and more will come.
Keyontae Mays, 5'7" junior guard is very scrappy and plays bigger than his height as he hits the boards very well. Shoots the occasional three point shot but likes to attack off the dribble. Will throw in assists as well.
Jahlil Love (5'10" guard) and Isiah Gardner (6'3" senior forward): The other starters in the lineup. Love does a little bit of everything, he'll shoot the occasional three and plays good defense on opposing guards. Gardner is a junk yard dog, hustling, hitting the glass, getting steals in the lane with quick hands. Doesn't take a lot of shots but defends his butt off.
Bench:
Yakateodia Kizer, 6'3" freshman forward/center: Hits the glass very well and gets baskets off them. He had 7 points and 10 rebounds vs Austin.
Tyler Smith, 5'10" sophomore guard: Three point sniper off bench.
Sheldon Smith, 6'3" sophomore wing: Hits the glass hard off the bench.
Dawayne Redmond, 6'4" junior /center: He defends in the paint and can score on the block.
Young team that will do future damage if they stay at the school.
In a winnable Orr (Chicago) Sectional where they have a #2 seed in a subsectional. Winner of that sectional has a good chance to get to Champaign. They have two players who can carry them through the playoffs (Calmese and Jaali Love). Will have to play good half court offense and hit the glass as well as their free throws to win Class 1A.
Comments