This is a Central Suburban Crossover game that is played at least once a season. Niles North has not beaten Evanston much over history. At one time it was once in 30 years. Then Damaria Franklin and his crew came in and won multiple times in the rivalry from 2014-2018. Evanston has owned the rivalry over the decades which is why there was a big celebration of this win by Niles North. Here we go:
Niles North (Skokie) 53 Evanston Township 47: Niles North starts 5 juniors. 4 of them started last year as sophomores. This is an experienced team and it showed tonight down the stretch. Junior point guard Yaris Irby started his career at Evanston Township and played on varsity his freshman year. Circumstances led to a transfer to Niles North before his sophomore year. He had a disastrous game last year against Evanston over in Skokie. He brought it this time just enough for the victory. Big shots down the stretch by junior Reid Olson, and a driving layup by junior Kaidan Chatham put the game away in the last minute. Big performance off the bench by sophomore big man Mustaf Rexhepi as junior big man Hunter Gawron was in foul trouble. It was a back and forth affair for most of the game. Evanston led 15-13 after first quarter, then Niles North took a 24-22 lead at halftime on Irby's long three pointer at the buzzer. Game was tied at 35 at the end of the third quarter. Some big turnovers down the stretch by Evanston, and some key baskets by Niles North gave the Vikings enough of a margin for the win. Evanston Township was led in scoring by senior Brandon Watson with 11 points. Junior Theo Rocca had 9 points and 6 rebounds, and senior Antoine Thomas had 4 points 9 rebounds 3 assists 1 steal and 1 block. Niles North ups it's record to 14-4, while Evanston Township drops to 13-7.
Yaris Irby, 6'0" junior point guard, Niles North (Skokie) led his team with 19 points 6 rebounds 1 assist and 1 steal. Hit 2 threes and scored on multiple mid range pull-up jump shots.
Kaidan Chatham, 6'3" junior combo guard, Niles North (Skokie) had another double/double of 15 points 11 rebounds 1 assist 2 steals and 2 blocks. Attacked off the dribble all night and scored the game clinching layup.
Reid Olson, 6'0" junior combo guard, Niles North (Skokie) came alive late in the game scoring 7 of his 9 points and hitting a mid range shot to put his team ahead in the last 30 seconds. Added 1 rebound and 2 steals.
Mustaf Rexhepi, 6'3" sophomore forward, Niles North (Skokie) came off the bench because Gawron was in foul trouble and provided energy and rim protection. Did not score but had 5 rebounds and 4 blocks in the game.
TOP PERFORMANCES:
There were some postponed games because of heavy snow in some places in the state and Chicago Area. A lot of games were still played so here we go.
Larenz Walters of Kankakee scored his 1000th point tonight.
Ryan Runaas, Lemont 26 points
Morez Johnson Jr, Thornton Township (Harvey) 17 points 18 rebounds (double/double)
Je'Shawn Stevenson Jr, Lindblom Math and Science Academy (Chicago) 18 points 5 rebounds
TJ Williams, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) 16 points (sophomore)
Marcos Gonzales, Brother Rice (Chicago) 26 points (junior)
Micah Hamilton, Minooka 17 points
DJ Hampton, Minooka 15 points 8 rebounds 4 assists (junior)
Will Ashford, Metea Valley (Aurora) 21 points
Jonah Funk, El Paso Gridley 23 points 18 rebounds (double/double) 7 blocks (junior)
Micah Meiss, El Paso Gridley 26 points 5 assists
Athan Berchos, Andrew (Tinley Park) 32 points 3 assists 3 steals (junior)
James Gallagher, Andrew (Tinley Park) 9 points 10 rebounds
Ryan Dinnon, Andrew (Tinley Park) 15 points 3 rebounds 3 steals (freshman)
Davee Flowers, Niles West (Skokie) 31 points
Aidin Custovic, Niles North (Skokie) 20 points 11 rebounds (double/double)
Donte Montgomery Jr, Oak Lawn 19 points (junior)
AJ Morgan, Vernon Hills 15 points (junior)
Andrew Hill, Immaculate Conception Catholic (Elmhurst) 19 points (junior)
Lathan Sommerville, Richwoods (Peoria) 28 points 9 rebounds 4 assists 3 blocks
Seth Chaney, Providence Catholic (New Lenox) 16 points (junior)
Sam Donald, Columbia 20 points (junior)
Hayes Van Breusegen, Columbia 13 points 8 steals (junior)
Oliver Gray, Barrington 15 points (sophomore)
Zerrick Johnson, St Laurence (Burbank) 20 points 5 rebounds (junior)
Tavariyuan Williams, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago) 12 points 10 rebounds (double/double)
Brady Chambers, Lyons Township (LaGrange) 15 points 7 rebounds
Kyle Waltz, York (Elmhurst) 22 points
Luke Landrus, St Joe Ogden 16 points
Phoenix Gill, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) 23 points (junior)
Michael Gallas, Kennedy (Chicago) 18 points 9 rebounds
Nehemiah Skipper, Walther Academy (Melrose Park) 21 points
Kris Hills, Walther Academy (Melrose Park) 5 points 10 rebounds 13 assists 12 steals (triple double)
Jaylen Shelton, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago) 10 points 11 rebounds (double/double) 2 assists
Bryce Heard, Homewood Flossmoor 21 points 5 rebounds (junior)
Carson Brownfield, Homewood Flossmoor 11 points 9 rebounds
Drake Wagner, Mater Dei Catholic (Breese) 23 points
Nick Lampe, Mater Dei Catholic (Breese) 18 points
Jordan Brooks, West (Aurora) 18 points
Kelton McEwen, St Francis (Wheaton) 16 points
Otis Powell, Willowbrook 20 points 8 rebounds 1 assist 1 block (sophomore)
Logan Cooper, Lockport 24 points 3 steals
Collin Miller, Lockport 17 points 6 rebounds
Anthony Kosi, Lockport 16 points (4 threes)
CT Taylor, CHSAS 29 points
AL Brooks Jr, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) 28 points 18 rebounds (double/double) (junior)
Ikee Brooks, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) 20 points (junior)
TJ Seals, Johnson College Prep (Chicago) 22 points 23 rebounds (20/20 double/double) 4 assists 3 steals 3 blocks (junior)
Drew Terpins, Prospect (Mount Prospect) 22 points
Mateo Gamboa, Oak Forest 15 points
Mitch Williams, Maroa Forsyth 23 points (junior)
Kaiden Maurer, Maroa Forsyth 20 points
Elijah Stipp, Kankakee 15 points (junior)
Brady Sehlhorst, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles) 18 points (junior)
Keshawn Vaval, Evergreen Park 20 points (junior)
Noah Sexton, Evergreen Park 15 points
Luke Smith, Addison Trail (Addison) 29 points 8 rebounds
Mitchell Erickson, Glenbard South 16 points 11 rebounds (double/double) 6 assists
Ian Militec, Rolling Meadows 20 points (junior)
Jaeden Warrener, Rolling Meadows 16 points (junior)
Lazar Lazarevic, Rolling Meadows 9 points 11 rebounds (junior)
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