Week of December 17, 2001Young vs. Simeon- It was a basketball extravaganza Saturday evening at Chicago State campus gym to
see the 15th annual South-West Showdown between Whitney Young and Simeon that dates
all the way back to 1987. First the crowd saw the fro-soph game come down to the final
minute as Simeon’s fro-soph beat Whitney Young’s. The standing room only crowd of
2,500 plus was not disappointed as Young held on for a 60-52 win. The Dolphins came
into the contest with a 3-0 record and unproven. But that was not the case in the main
event as Young raced out to a 18-4 first quarter lead and a 31-15 halftime lead. Marcus
White scored 7 of his game high 20 points in the first half. The tide turned in the third
quarter as Simeon outscored the Dolphins 21-11 in the frame. Deshawn Walker , and
Clyde Hooks led Simeon with 17 points apiece but Hooks was ejected early in the fourth
quarter. Simeon got within four points but the Dolphins responded down the stretch as a
big contribution from Dwayne Curtis the 6-8 jr. transfer from Bloom Township scored 8
of his 11 to preserve the victory for the Dolphins.
Editor's Note: Hear this game in its entirety on 'Hoopside High', Tuesday December 18 at 7:30pm CT here on ISNet. Fenwick @ #13 St. Rita- If this is the best team Coach Quinn has had since 95-96 season when they won 28
games watch out Catholic League. Fenwick was led by Ashtyn Bell who scored 15
points. Fenwick went back to Oak Park with a 71-63 road victory over 13th ranked St.
Rita. Fenwick improved its record to 7-1 overall and (2-1 in Catholic League) while St
Rita fell to 6-3 overall and 2-2 in Catholic League. St. Rita got 15 points form James
Bishop. Fenwick used its bench to ware out the Mustangs. Fenwick took the lead for
good on a basket by Jason Okezesik 58-56 with 4:04 remaining. When asked Coach
Quinn what was they key in the game he stated “We were able to get the lose balls, hit our
free throws down the stretch and our bench wore them down because they are not a deep
team.” “Also when game got close Jason Okzesik took control of the team like a captain
should.” Curie vs. Dunbar (girls)- R-E-S-P-E-C-T. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. That is what the Lady
Condors of Curie High School are chanting right now. After losing two straight
conference games to top notch programs in Lane Tech, and John Hope, Curie was
determined that the third time would be the charm and in deed it was. It started off kind of
slow for the Condors as preseason all conference player Shimera Jones got in foul trouble,
and Shamara Jones all preseason conference player as well did not start due to a coaches
decision. Venice Jones got off to a great start for Dunbar scoring 12 of her team high 17
points in the first half as Dunbar rolled to a 27-20 halftime lead. Then the tide turned in
the 3rd and 4th quarter as Curie let the dogs out and went to a 1-2-2 trap and that forced the
mightywomen into costly turnovers and Curie getting easy buckets off the forced
turnovers. Leading the way for the Condors was Shamara Jones as she came off the bench
to score 9 points in the second half and ran the offense as smoothly as a point guard could.
Britney Barron scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half to go along with 7 rebounds.
Curie outscored Dunbar 38-20 in the second half. When talked to the fro-soph coach Mr.
Gant he stated that Curie should be in the top four in the conference with the team they
have. Curie is a team on the rise after somewhat of a disappointing season in the red last
season. The Condors are out to prove that this season will be different from last season.
And now a look at some games on tap this week.
#9 John Hope @ #5 Marshall (girls)- It has been a total of 367 days since these teams last played each other.
Marshall came out of that game a 42-32 winner behind Cappie Pondexter’s 19 points.
Cappie since then has graduated and now attend Rutgers, but Virginia bound Tiffany
Sardin has taken over as the team leader: She likely will be matched up against Arkansas
recruit Kristi Moore. Marshall is 7-0 and (2-0 in Red Conference) and brings a No. 5
ranking into the contest. Marshall tuned up for the Hope by beating Morgan Park by 20
points on Thursday. Coach Gaters said she wants to see junior guard Lashonda Grant to
take over as a leader. “You really want leadership at the point position”. Hope is coming
into the game with a No. 9 ranking and a 8-0 record and (2-0 in Red Conference as well).
Hope tuned up for the Marshall game by crushing Lourdes 85-53 at Washington Park on
Friday. Kristi Moore led the Eagles with 34 points and 23 rebounds while Shaunte
Roberison contributed 11 points. When contacted late Friday after the Lourdes game
Shaunte Roberison stated that “we are going to take the game against Marshall slow, be
more aggressive, we are more hungrier this year, we want city and we are going
downstate to represent the city of Chicago.” Coach Lyles stated: “this years team is more
mature, we had all juniors last year, and we have been playing together longer”.Key Players:
Hope – F Kristi Moore, 6-1 sr.; C Lachelle Lyles, 6-0 sr.; G Shaunte Roberison 5-3, jr.; F
Akila Harris, 5-9 jr.
Marshall – F Tiffany Sardin, 6-0 sr.; F Jaquay Holmes, 5-7, jr.; C Lakesha Smith, 6-3 sr.;
G Lashonda Grant, 5-7 jr.
Editor's Note: Hear this game in its entirety Tuesday, December 18, at 7:30pm as Game 2 of a doubleheader on 'Hoopside High', only on ISNet.Spalding vs. Jones- It is that wonderful time again the games that really count in the Chicago Public League
Conference Games. In the featured match up in the Green South West opener that puts the upstart
Eagles of Jones Magnet against the Spaulding Bulldogs. Jones is lead by their junior core of players
and should contender behind junior forwards Colby Beach and Michael Johnson and junior guard
Tristan Knight, all of whom have been playing together at the varsity level since they were freshmen.
Jones recently won the Clemente Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament and brings a 6-2 record into the
game. On the flip side Spalding, coming down from the Blue West, returns an experienced core of
players in seniors Greg Page, Aaron Gould and Kenny Patterson and should contend for the title.
Key Players:
Spalding—G/F Aaron Gould, 6-0, sr.; C/F Greg Page, 6-1, sr.; G Kenny Patterson, 5-6, sr.;
F/G Namon Jones, 6-0, so.
Jones—F Colby Beach, 6-2, jr.; F Michael Johnson, 6-1, jr.; G Tristan Knight, 5-11, jr.Back to ISNet Homepage
