This event has gone on for a number of years now. It consist of #1 Evanston Township, New Trier(Winnetka), and #8 Loyola Academy(Wilmette) playing top opponents from around the Chicagoland Area. The event rotates between the three schools, this year New Trier(Winnetka) is the Host school. The three game set will be on Saturday. Here's the schedule and times:
1:30 pm New Trier(Winnetka)(10-8) vs Oak Lawn(14-4): New Trier has had a tough season so far after losing a lot of talent and personnel from last years team. They are 2-2 in Central Suburban South Division play. Their leaders this year are senior guard John Carragher and senior forward Emmette Burnside. Oak Lawn has cooled off after a hot start splitting their last 4 games. They are led by outstanding senior guard Sami Osmani and senior guard Trey Ward. Both teams play a deliberate style of basketball in the half court, and don't push it much on the fast break. I look for a low scoring game here with Oak Lawn eventually taking over the game.
3:00 pm #8 Loyola Academy(Wilmette)(18-1) vs #6 Homewood Flossmoor(13-2): Loyola Academy has not lost a game to an Illinois team as their only loss was at a Christmas Tournament in Florida. Homewood Flossmoor just lost a tough game Tuesday at #3 Thornton Township(Harvey) and is looking to bounce back from it. This will be a contrast of styles as Loyola is very deliberate in their offense, sometimes they make as many as 10 passes before shooting the ball. Homewood Flossmoor likes to run when they can but will play a halfcourt game if needed. The Vikings will have to speed up the Ramblers for their best chance of winning this game. Senior forward Bennet Kwiecinski(Loyola) vs RJ Ogom(Homewood Flossmoor) in the interior will be an interesting match up. Both are division 1 bound Siena(Kwiecinski) and College of Charleston(Ogom). It could come down to which senior point guard can control the pace for their teams, Billy Palmer(Loyola) or Josiah Palmer(Homewood Flossmoor). I'll pick Homewood Flossmoor in this one.
4:30 pm #1 Evanston Township(16-0) vs Hillcrest(Country Club Hills)(12-6): They saved the best for last as this should be a running up and down affair. It could also be a lot of turnovers which can make it very sloppy, but it should be entertaining. Evanston Township has a five guard lineup that kills other teams with their quickness and speed. Don't be deceived by Hillcrest record as they are quick and have some size on their front line of 6'6" junior Julius Rollins, 6'5" junior Hamahrie Bowers, and 6'6" junior Jakobi Heady. They crash the glass and hard. Both teams start all juniors and have junior laden teams. Hillcrest has one senior on their roster, Evanston Township only three. Hillcrest junior guards Kenton Wright and Mar'Keise "Bucky" Irving have been inconsistent, though Irving has come on lately. They will have to protect the ball as Evanston Township guards Jaylin Gibson(6'4"), Blake Peters, Isaiah "Itchy" Holden, Elijah Bull, and Deshawn Hemphill are all quick on quick. A key player for Evanston Township will be newly eligible 6'6" junior forward Kyle Wilson. He'll have to be big on the glass along with Gibson to keep from getting beat up on the glass. I think Evanston Township will salvage the day for the North Suburb teams by hitting enough three pointers to win the game. They have three point shooters from all spots on the floor. I feel it will make the difference in this game.
It should be an entertaining Saturday afternoon for the fans and media alike.
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