Week of December 24, 2001#10 Hope @ #5 Marshall (Public League Girls)- This was the game everybody wanted to see since the 2000-2001 season.
John Hope vs. John Marshall. This game was the Ali-Frazier of girls’ high school
basketball. Both teams came into the game undefeated and one was going to
leave the game with a blemish on their record. Both teams started out of the
gate slow as Marshall had a 14-12 lead over Hope after one quarter. In the
second Hope calmed downed and the jitters started to go away as they went on
a 9-2 run, had a seven point lead midway through the second quarter. Hope
went into halftime with a 28-24 lead behind 7 points from Shaunte Roberison
and 8 rebounds from Lachelle Lyles who finished the game with 6 points and 13
rebounds. Marshall came out in the third quarter like the city champs that they
are and went on a 19-2 run to open the second half with 6 points apiece from
Britney Jones and Tiffany Sardin. Marshall finished the quarter outscoring Hope
23 - 12 and lead 47 – 40 after three quarters. Great teams will respond and that
what exactly what Hope did in the fourth as they trailed 56 – 49 and outscored
Marshall 9 – 1 and lead by a point with one minute remaining. Lashonda
Grant made clutch free throws down the stretch to preserve the win for the Lady
Commandos which improved its record to 9-0 and (3-0 in red conference), while
Hope fell to 8-1 and (2-1 in red conference). Hope was led by Kristin Moore who
finished the game with 19 points. Hope rebounded hours later from the
Marshall loss in the Proviso East with a 56 – 44 victory over Luther North. These
teams can meet two more times before the season is over in the Christmas
Tournament in Peoria or in the Public League Title game and that game will
decide who will represent the city of Chicago in the State Tournament. Spalding @ Jones (Homecoming)- It was a fun filled day at Near North High School on December 20, 2001.
In the morning there was a pep assembly, in the afternoon there were 2
basketball games to be played, and last but not least it was the 1st annual
Homecoming for Jones Academic Magnet High School. Jones frosh – soph got
things off to a great start and improved its record to 4 – 1 and 1 – 0 in Green
South West with a 75 – 35 victory over Spaulding’s frosh – soph. The varsity
game was packed with wild and crazy eagle fans. The eagles did not disappoint
the fans or alumni that attended the game. The eagles won 72 – 58 behind 24
points, 16 rebounds and 3 steals from Damario Rias. Jones also got big
contributions from their two of three outstanding juniors in Tristan Knight 16
points, 4 steals and Colby Beach 22 points and 7 rebounds. Jones improved its
record to 9 – 2 and (1 – 0 in Green South West) play, while Spaulding fell to 3 – 3
and (0 – 1 Green South West).
And now a look at some games on tap this week.
41st Annual Proviso West Holiday Tournament- This is the most prestigious tournament in Illinois. The
tournament features some of the best ballers in the state of Illinois. Also features
8 of the preseason Top 25, and 8 of the current Top 25 as of December 16, 2001.
The preseason favorite of the tournament probably will be the No.1 team in the
state of Illinois the pirates of Proviso East led by all – American guard in Dee
Brown who is rated #2 in the state behind Sean Dockery of Julian, while 6-3
shooting guard Shannon Brown (no relation) is the state’s No. 1 junior. East was
25-4 last season.
Farragut Admirals are probably the most difficult team to match up against with
their big front line of 6-6 Elliot Poole, 6-6 junior Denard Montague and 6-6
sophomore Ollie Bailey. Marcetteaus McGee is among the elite in backcourt’s as
far as the Public League is concerned, and the Admirals (19-8 last season) also
boast Courtney McGarry and Courtney Alexander.
The most balanced team in the tournament probably is Whitney Young with a
host of talent and a 4-1 record with the only loss coming to nationally ranked St.
Louis Vashon currently No. 10 in the nation. Young brings back all – city
selection in Marcus White who has average 16 points and 12 rebounds since his
freshman year. 6-8 Bloom transfer Dwayne Curtis, 6-8 Julian transfer Michael
Binns and talented juniors such as 6-5 Dewitt Scott, David Howard, Andre
Knox, and Anthony Harris. Young was 14-11 last season. “This is our best team
since 98 when Quientin Richardson and those guys won state”, said Young
coach Lamont Bryant.
Thornridge is the team everybody is worried about. Many coaches say this could
be Mike Flaherty's best team in a long time. Thornridge has pulled of two
upsets so far in the early part of the season by beating Bloom, and Shepard.
Thornridge could dominate behind 6-8 Indiana signee Tristan Parham, 6-8
junior Mitchell Goforth and 6-7 Johnathan Bell plus Jeremy Massengale, 6-4
Deanta Hollins. If Thornridge develops good outside shooters to complement
his inside strength, the Falcons will surpass last season’s 19-10 record.
Lyons Township is coming into the tournament on a so – so season so far. Top
returnees for the 28-5 ball club that finished fourth in the state last season: 6-7
Northwestern signee Jim Maley (16 points, 5 rebounds) and 6-4 Cortez Forte;
All-conference football player Chris Green takes over at point guard while 6-5
junior Clay Hadley and 6-3 post player Erik Gardstrom round out the starting
five.
Schaumburg surprised everyone last season by winning the Class AA title when
they toppled Thornwood in the championship game. They have the same ball
club that went 29-3 a year ago and a deep rotation with out any top stars.
Leading the way will be Tony Young and 6-3 sophomore Zach Pancratz.
Evanston's looking to better last season’s 23-5 record behind 6-4 Stacey Moragne,
6-6 junior Johnathan Blakely, point guard LaJon Sullivan, 6-4 Stefano Foggi and
guard Necus Mayne. Others to watch out for are Danny Greenberger and 6-5
sophomore Gordon Watt.
Homewood-Flossmoor has brought up four sophomores to go with two returning starters from a
.500 team. H-F recently beat Lane Tech at the Warrior Shootout 77-63
behind Troy Watson who scored 24 and Adam Dauksas notched 21 to lead the
Vikings.
The goal of the Providence St. Mel Knights, who feature Minnesota signee
Stanley Gaines Jr., is to win the Class A state title. To that end, they play a
schedule loaded with opponents such as Class AA schools Young, Simeon,
Westinghouse, Curie, Crane and Manley, Class A powers Lisle, Walther
Lutheran and Wheaton Academy and fellow independent Homewood Christian.
The Knights also travel to Rock Falls to play the school that edged St. Mel by
three in the 1999 state quarterfinals.
Inexperience could put Proviso West in a hole at the beginning of the season, but
the Panthers should be back in a big way. Recently the Panthers won 61-49 in a
West Suburban Silver victory over Hinsdale Central and improved their record
to 8-1 and (3-0 in West Suburban Silver action).
Larkin looks for these top players to produce a better showing at the tournament
than last year. Larkin which lost its opening round game to East in last year’s
tournament by 55 points. G Steve Knapp, 6-0, sr.; F Brad Jones, 6-5, sr.; F-C John
Gilkey, 6-5, jr.
Manley, after losing a controversial coin flip that cost his team a spot in the Red
West, coach Bo Delaney has Manley ready to compete once again for a spot in
one of the city's elite conferences. Led by three seniors, Delaney's team spent
most of the summer competing in summer leagues against several Red Division
schools and winning. Manley is hoping to get back to the championship game
this season after losing to Farragut in the 2000 PW Tourney.
Hillcrest has won 13 straight conference titles but shared the honors last season
with Thornton Fractional North. Hillcrest has graduated most of its 2000-01
team. Hillcrest does have junior Shelby Jordan, who started for the Hawks as a
freshman but moved to Nebraska last year. Hillcrest is looking for better results
from last season PW tourney as they were knock out in the consolation bracket
semifinals. Hillcrest is picked to finish second in the SICA Central in the 2001-
2002 campaign.
Fenwick, which returns nine lettermen who saw significant playing time, rates
slightly above the rest in the Catholic League North. Fenwick has already
beaten St. Rita, and Leo in Catholic games this year and looks to improve on its
fifth place finish at the tournament last year. Fenwick is 8-1 and (3-1 in Catholic
League play).
St. Joseph tries to regain the dominance of the 99 season when they won the
Class AA championship over Warren 61-51. Since then Gene Pingatore and St.
Joseph has been on hard times.
New Trier, with 11 returning players—including guard James Romey, a Santa
Clara signee—will be in contention in their conference as well as in this
tournament if they play the type of basketball they are capable of playing.
Top Players in Tournament
New Trier—G James Romey, 6-2, sr.; F Teddy Rosinski, 6-3, sr.; G Matt Powell,
5-9, jr.; G Josh Goodman, 6-3, sr.
Hillcrest—G Dennis Higgins, 5-11, sr.; G Steve Mason, 5-11, sr.; F Luke
Robinson, 6-1, sr.; G Shelby Jordan, 6-2, jr.
Homewood-Flossmoor—G Adam Dauksas, 6-3, sr.; F Chris Liddell, 6-4, sr.
Proviso East—G Dee Brown, 6-0, sr.; F Shannon Brown, 6-3, jr.; G Charles
Richardson, 5-8, jr.; F Art Talley, 6-1, sr.; C Montonio Blake, 6-5, sr
Proviso West—F Nathan Marshall, 6-2, sr.; F James Frazier, 6-1, sr.; G Steve Scott,
5-10, sr., F Steve Morgan, 6-3, sr.
St. Joseph—F Chris Hart, 6-3, jr.; G David Pearson, 6-0, jr.; F Terrence Smith, 6-2,
sr.
Fenwick—F Vincent Humphrey, 6-3, so.; F Dan Kloak, 6-4, sr.; G Jason Okrzesik,
6-0, jr.
Manley—G Dave Harper, 6-1, sr.; F Roy Hegwood, 6-5, sr.; F Marcus Jackson, 6-
5, so.; F Herbert Winfield, 6-1, jr.; G Al Stewart, 5-11, sr.
Farragut—C Elliott Poole, 6-6, sr.; G Marcetteaus McGee, 6-0, sr.; F Dennard
Montague, 6-6, jr.; G Courtney McGarry, 6-0, sr.
Young—F Marcus White, sr.; C Dwayne Curtis, 6-8, jr.; G DeWitt Scott, 6-5, jr.; F
Michael Binns, 6-8, jr.; G Andre Knox, 6-2, jr.
Thornridge—F Tristan Parham, 6-7, sr.; F Jon Bell, 6-6, sr.
Schaumburg—G Tony Young, 6-0, sr.; F Brandon Reichel, 6-5, sr.; C Tom Burke,
6-9, sr.; G Zach Pancratz, 6-3, so.
Larkin—G Steve Knapp, 6-0, sr.; F Brad Jones, 6-5, sr.; F-C John Gilkey, 6-5, jr.
Providence St. Mel – G Justin Ceresoli, 6-3 so.; F Stan Gaines Jr. 6-7 sr.; G Emmanuel Ford 6-
1 sr.
Evanston— F Stacey Moragne, 6-4, sr.; C Jonathan Blakley, 6-6, jr.; G Lajon
Survillion, 5-11, sr.; F Gordon Watt, 6-5, so.
