I thought about where to start with this. I decided to start with the fact that the #14 Thornton Township(Harvey) at #6 Kenwood Academy(Chicago) was exciting to watch. Illinois commit Ty Rodgers, Top 50 junior Darius Ames would be must see high school basketball. There was a big time controversy that could have marred the game. It was not the fault of coaches, players of either team. Nor was it the fault of the officials who are not out there to keep score. I think the score keeper made an honest mistake. I'll say it again. I think the score keeper made an honest mistake. I don't think there was a motive to cheat, or to do anything on purpose to help Kenwood win. It happened at 1:32 left in the game at a timeout, which I think was taken by Thornton. They had committed 5 straight turnovers after being ahead 56-42 and appearing to have the game in hand. Thornton was falling apart in the pressure of the press. Kenwood Academy's full court pressure brought them back to within 60-58, or so everyone thought. At that timeout, all of a sudden the score was changed to 60-60. Thornton players, bench, fans, and myself went nuts. I do not have a rooting interest for either team, I came to watch some entertaining basketball as usual. There was a long 10 minute discussion of back and forth about the score. I give Thornton credit, some teams might have walked off the floor in protest. They decided to go back out there and try to win the game. By the way, the score stayed 60-60 when play resumed. Thornton looked a little shaken missing 4 free throws in that last stretch, but Rodgers scored a basket to tie the game at 64(should have been 64-62 Thornton). Kenwood Coach Mike Irvin calls timeout but there was zeros on the clock. Overtime. We thought so but the officials put 4 seconds back on the clock. Yes there should have been time back on the clock but should have been 2.6 seconds. Anyhow Kenwood did not score and we go to overtime that should have never happened. Controversy was not over yet. Thornton led 73-71(should have been 73-69) with 2.7 seconds left in overtime. For some reason, Kenwood threw the ball into the backcourt, BUT THE CLOCK DID NOT START!!!!!! A half court shot at the buzzer(should have been AFTER THE BUZZER) missed and Thornton left with a hard earned victory.
This is the second time this year I've gone to a game in the City I've gone to this year where there was a scoring controversy. The other was at the Orr Breast Cancer Classic between Curie and Cardinal Ritter when Ritter was not given two points they earned. They ended up winning in overtime too. So 2-0 for the teams who felt they got "robbed" of a scoring error in regulation.There were some comments during the game like "Chicago High School Basketball for you" soft of things. You can't ever have these kinds of scoring errors. Not n the regular season, but with the state playoffs coming around definitely not then. These kind of things make suburban teams and out of state teams not want to come play in the City, specifically Chicago Public League teams. Also could make the IHSA not want to have Public League Teams to host Regionals and Sectionals, afraid they will get "robbed" in some way. Officiating is judgement calls, scoring errors are something different. Perception is reality in a lot of cases. As I said earlier I think tonight's and the one at Orr were honest mistakes, but the offending team will feel they were cheated or robbed. They have the right to feel that way, but you don't want that happening too often with a scoring error. There hasn't been State Trophies handed out in almost 700 days, this postseason will be more intense than ever. There needs to be competent people at the scorers table keeping score correctly. People do not know they are a part of the officiating crew at every game, though the officials on the floor do not have the job of keeping score. Off my soapbox about this issue. Onto superlatives for the night.
Senior forward Illinois commit Ty Rodgers a double double 20 points 16 rebounds 4 blocks for Thornton Township in win over Kenwood Academy.
Junior guard Vincent Rainey 28 points on 6 threes in win over Kenwood Academy.
Junior point guard Darrin Ames 18 points 8 rebounds 6 steals for Kenwood Academy in loss to Thornton Township.
Senior guard Nevada commit Trey Pettigrew 18 points 7 rebounds for Kenwood Academy in loss to Thornton Township.
Senior guard Darius Robinson 22 points on 3 threes against his former team in loss to Thornton Township.
Owen Rivera 21 points for Von Steuben in double overtime win over Northside Prep.
Cian Williams 19 points for Von Steuben in double overtime win over Northside Prep.
Senior Washington University of St Louis commit Will Grudzinski 23 points for Barrington in upset win over Rolling Meadows to win Mid Suburban Title.
Daniel Hong 17 points for Barrington in upset win over Rolling Meadows to win Mid Suburban Title.
Junior guard Cameron Christie 25 points for Rolling meadows in loss to Barrington in Mid Suburban Title Game.
Senior guard Joshua West a double double 20 points 13 rebounds 4 steals in win over Urban Prep Bronzeville.
Sophomore Shaheed Solebo 17 points 5 rebounds 5 assists for Lane Tech in win over Mather.
Senior guard Davontae Hall a double double 17 points 10 assists for Hyde Park Academy in win over Taft.
Malik Jenkins 17 points for Hyde Park Academy in win over Taft.
Senior guard Washington University of St Louis commit Yogi Oliff 24 points for Niles North in win over Northtown.
Senior guard Zachary Qader 23 points for Northtown in loss to Niles North.
By the way I have my scorecard from regulation of Thornton Township at Kenwood Academy game. You'll see should have been 64-62 Thornton.
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