Big time weekend with some great individual performances along with team performances. Here we go:
Teams:
Boys:
Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)- put on an impressive performance and looked like the #1 team in Chicago Area if not the state. They almost put up a 30 piece against highly regarded St Rita (Chicago) before winning by 27 points. They looked motivated to send Coach Robert Smith out with a seventh state title. They are playing in Class 3A this year.
St Rita (Chicago)- Still doesn't look quite like a great team yet, still a lot of work to do. Could still be a year away though they have experienced juniors on the squad.
Kenwood Academy (Chicago)- put together a great all around performance in the second half against West (Joliet). They used their size in this game to help turn the tide in this one.
Gonzaga (DC)- WCAC power from the DMV( District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia area) are very young but seem to play well together even this early in the season. Took over the second half against St Ignatius College Prep. Seem ready to compete in one of the top conferences in America.
Hyde Park (Chicago)- Continues to impress with a blowout win over U-Lab (Chicago). Balanced scoring was their calling card and seem ready for the loaded Chicago Public League Red South/Central.
Mount Carmel (Chicago)- I might have to put them back in the rankings as they were impressive against Chicago Public League Red West/North North Lawndale College Prep (Chicago). Top four players had very good performances.
Vashon (St Louis, MO)- Played like they recovered from their 0-2 Dallas, TX trip by taking apart Chicago Public League Red South/Central opponent Curie (Chicago). Their top players brought it all time for the perennial Missouri state champs.
Whitney Young (Chicago)- Need a buzzer beater to take down National Christian Academy (MD). Controlled most of the game but could not get more than a 10 point lead and National Christian Academy made a late run to tie the game but could not get ahead.
Girls:
I only watched a couple of games as I had to take off.
Oak Forest- Had just enough to beat Simeon Career Academy (Chicago). Had trouble defensive rebounding in the zone in the first half. Changed to a man to man in the second half to win a tightly contested victory.
Phillips (Chicago)- Earned a close victory over a talented Homewood Flossmoor squad. Had contributions from all starters in the victory with great ball movement and passing.
Butler College Prep (Chicago)- Controlled the game from start to finish in win over Central (Lincoln Way).
Top performers:
Boys:
Shaheed Solebo, Lane Tech (Chicago)
Darshan Thomas, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Ty Maraciola, Fenwick (Oak Park)
Rodney Murphy, Oak Park River Forest
Justin Bowen Jr, Oak Park River Forest
Brady Kunka, Benet Academy (Lisle)
Jurrell Baldwin, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
Angelo Ciaravino, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
DeAndre Craig, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Lee Marks III, Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Thomas Batties, Gonzaga (DC)
Nykolas Lewis, Gonzaga (DC) One of the top sophomores in America
Reggie Ray, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Jackson Kotecki, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)
Kennard Davis Jr, Vashon (St Louis,MO)
Daniel Johnson, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Dalen Davis, Whitney Young (Chicago) (Game winner)
Devin Minor, National Christian Academy (MD)
Kristopher Mickens, National Christian Academy (MD)
Jalen Griffith, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Wes Rubin, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Sam Lewis, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Morez Johnson Jr, St Rita (Chicago)
Joseph Worthington-White, St Rita (Chicago)
Calvin Robins Jr Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Tyler Smith, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Jeremiah Fears, West (Joliet)
Matthew Moore, West (Joliet)
Girls:
Janae Kent, Oak Forest
Olivia Baxa, Oak Forest
Dijiona Berrien, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Trinity Greenwood, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Sophie Swanson, Barrington
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