I did not get to all the games so I'm going to write on the games I saw:
Danville 66 Rich East(Forest Park) 51. 6'5" junior guard Tevin Smith tore his ACL early this Spring. He looked about 80% on the floor today, and still dominated with 28 points 9 rebounds. Danville was up 3 to start the 4th quarter but went on a 12-1 run at the start of the quarter to secure the game. Smith had 16 points in the first quarter and scored in a variety of ways three pointers, driving to the basket, drawing fouls and hitting free throws. We didn't see his explosive dunking shoes in this game, but might see it by the time Pontiac Christmas Tournament in two weeks. He's one of the Top 10 players in the State in Class of 2021. He was supported by 6'5" senior forward Robert Stroud with 20 points 6'4" junior guard Nathaniel Hoskins with 14, and 5'11" junior guard Devin Miles(not the great drummer from the movie "Drumline" lol) had 12. Rich East was led by 6'8" senior forward Christopher Smith with 12 points, followed by 6'3" junior guard Gary Clay and 6'0" senior guard Kyree Banks with 10. Danville goes to 5-2, Rich East drops to 4-3( shows they have played 9 games but no results for the other 2).
Tinley Park 39 Schaumburg 37. This was nick and tuck all game long. A bunch of lead changes but 6'8"sophomore sensation AJ Casey made two free throws to clinch it for Tinley Park. This was billed as AJ Casey the #1 sophomore in the State and Top 14 nationally in Class of 2022 vs Top 5 junior in State AJ Casey(6'8' forward) of Tinley Park and Wisconsin commit Chris Hodges(6'8"forward) for Schaumburg. Both are the same height but play totally different. Casey plays more like a wing and Hodges is an inside force. Casey did guard Hodges for part of the game but Schaumburg had 6'3" senior forward Jared Schoo shadowing Casey. Tinley Park used 6'6" senior forward Yitonish Nash on Hodges, but he was in foul trouble most of the game. Casey ended up with 17 points 6 rebounds and 2 blocks, 5'9" sophomore Keon Richardson added 8 for Tinley Park. Hodges had 20 points 8 rebounds and 1 block for Schaumburg. He was helped by 6'0" sophomore Vaurice Patterson with 8 points. Tinley Park ups it's record to 6-3, while Schaumburg takes it's first loss and is 8-1.
#1 Bloom Township(Chicago) Heights) 91 St Laurence(Burbank) 56. Bloom wanted to make a statement after it's shocking loss at Thornton on Tuesday. They did but it took a little more than a half as the scores was 45-35 Bloom at the break. Bloom took over things in the 3rd quarter by sharing the ball, getting steals and a variety of guys scoring the basketball. This game eventually became a running clock,(30 point lead at anytime in the 4th quarter) and a layup line along with a dunk show for Bloom. 6'3" senior guard Dante Maddox Jr led with 19 points 6 rebounds, 6'6" senior forward Christian Shumate had 18 points 6 rebounds and 1 block, 6'10" senior forward 14 points 6 rebounds 3 blocks, 6'2" senior guard Justin Moore 13 points and 1 steal for Bloom. 6'0" senior guard Trey Davis had 13 to lead St Laurence. Bloom goes to 8-1 while St Laurence goes to 6-3.
Oak Park River Forest 55 #5 Stevenson(Lincolnshire) 48. The upset of the day as Oak Park overcame a 13-2 deficit to start the game by using a full court press and 6'6"junior guard Isaiah Barnes taking over the game offensively to pull off the upset. It also helped that 6'6" senior forward Robert Holmes junior was on the bench with foul trouble in the first half when the run came. Oak Park took a 30-24 halftime lead, then upped the lead to 12 points by end of the third quarter. Timely baskets in the 4th quarter by Barnes kept Stevenson at bay along with the Patriots going cold from the outside. The Huskies were aggressive on both ends of the court and matched the Patriots intensity. Barnes led with 21 points and supported by 6'8" senior forward Justin Cross and 6'1" senior forward Kyren Gardner with 8 points for Oak Park. 6'3" senior guard Matt Ambrose led Stevenson with 16 points supported by 6'3" senior guard John Ittounas 14 points. Oak Park River Forest ups it's record to 4-3 while Stevenson loses it's first game and drops to 7-1.
#11 Curie(Chicago) 70 #19 Hillcrest(Country Club Hills) 47. Curie is slowly moving up my rankings and will be in the Top 10 next week, especially after this impressive performance. It was a sloppy game, a lot of turnovers, a lot of fouls, and Hillcrest 6'0"junior guard Kenton Wright accumulating 3 fouls in the first five minutes of the game(third foul a technical foul) took his team out of rhythm. Hillcrest had exactly three players score all their points, you will find out whom shortly. Curie took over this game in the fourth quarter, as they only had a 27-22 lead at the half and 46-36 at end of the third quarter. Curie was led by 6'4" senior guard Ramean Hinton with 25 points 12 rebounds(double/double) 2 steals and 1 block. He was supported by 6'2" senior guard Josiah Hammons with 14 points, 5'7" junior point guard Nick Owens 7 points 5 rebounds 2 assists, 6'3" senior guard Armond Williams Jr 8 points 4 rebounds. Hillcrest three scorers were: 6'6" junior forward Jakobi Heady with 31 points 7 rebounds 4 blocks 2 steals, 6'6" junior forward Julius Rollins fought through foul trobule(3 fouls in first half) for 13 points 6 rebounds, and 6'5" junior Hamahrie Bowers with 3 points. That is it, their guards were shut out completely from scoring. Curie ups it's record to 5-0, while Hillcrest drops to 5-3.
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