Pontiac Quarterfinal Superlatives 2024!!!!

Big Tim

Dec 27, 20243 min read

There we some good performances today, not a ton of big ones but good team performances. This is about quarterfinal play. Here we go:

Benet Academy (Lisle) was consistently solid in win over Bloom Township (Chicago Height) that could not hit the ocean from outside. Bloom was 2 for 16 from three. Senior Truman State commit Blake Fagbemi was aggressive on both ends as usual and it worked for him. He disrupted Bloom's offense with his pressure. He had 3 steals and helped on traps and deflections. Added 10 points 7 rebounds and 6 assists in an all around performance. Senior Southern Illinois Carbondale commit Daniel Pauliukonis had 18 of his 20 points in the first half to put Benet up 34-20 at half. Had 7 rebounds. Sophomore Edvardas Stasys had 9 rebounds when junior Colin Stack went out with foul trouble or a rest. Speaking of Stack the 7 footer had 9 points 8 rebounds and 5 blocks in the game with some good rim protecting. Bloom Township was led by senior Adam Page's 12 points 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Sophomore Xavier Martin had 10 points and he constantly attacked Stack and scored some baskets at the rim. Added 4 rebounds. Benet will play Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) in the quarterfinals. Bloom will play Peoria Manual.

Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) meanwhile was getting threes from all over the place vs Manual (Peoria). Seven different players hit at least one three. They shot 13 for 21 from three for the game. They were led by senior Lorenzo Shields who almost had a triple double. He ended up with 10 points 9 rebounds and 10 assists a double/double. Senior Julien Doyle led Simeon with 16 points and 5 rebounds. Junior Kamari Hamlin was the third player in double figures with 10 points on two threes. Senior Armon Augustus came in and hit two big threes in the first quarter for his 6 points. Junior Kassidy Nelson had 7 points (2 of 4 from three) and made things tough on the state's #1 player Dietrich Richardson of Manual (Peoria). Speaking of Richardson, the Bradley commit didn't get much help offensively from his teammates today. He had 18 points (6 of 15 from the floor) and 5 rebounds. Next closest scorer was Reggie Postlewaite with 9 points. Simeon advances to play Benet Academy (Lisle). Manual (Peoria) will play Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)..

Curie (Chicago) as usual is tough, hardnosed, and gets into you defensively. Things did not work too well most of the game as New Trier (Winnetka) controlled it and led most of the game. Pressure bursts pipes and Curie got turnovers on three of the last four possessions to take the lead. Junior Michael Oliver Jr, who was 0 for 4 from three till that point made a huge three from the corner off an assists from junior Justin Oliver. It gave Curie the lead for good. A couple of change of possesions in the last second led to Curie missing a layup with two seconds left up two. Junior Chris Kirkpatrick of New Trier got the rebound but only had time for a last second heave from 83 feet that did not come close. Curie survived and will move on to face DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Junior Justin Oliver had 20 points 6 rebounds 5 assists and 5 steals. Senior Brad Johnson Jr had 14 points 7 rebounds and 1 block. New Trier was led by Kirkpatrick with 17 points 5 rebounds 3 assists and 2 steals but had a couple of key turnovers in last 30 seconds of the game. Senior Wash U St Louis commit Colby Smith had 14 points and 4 assists. New Trier (Winnetka) will play West (Joliet)

DePaul College Prep (Chicago) controlled this game from the start. Their guard play came to light the entire game. The guards also set up junior Rashaun Porter for some nice baskets and got him involved in the game. They were driving it to the rim time and time again getting layups, jump shots in the lane, or setting up teammates for baskets. Junior AJ Chambers ended up with 18 points 4 assists and 2 steals. Senior Western Illinois commit Makai Kvamme had 15 points 4 assists and 3 steals. Porter had 14 points 4 rebounds 3 blocks and 2 steals. West (Joliet) was led by junior Aamir Shannon with 15 points. DePaul College Prep (Chicago) will play Curie (Chicago). West (Joliet) will play New Trier (Winnetka).