Young impresses in opening week
CITY/ SUBURBAN HOOPS REPORT
The first week of the high school basketball season always provides some surprises and validation. Here are some leftovers from a busy Thanksgiving week:
◆ Of the five Public League teams in the top five spots in the rankings, Young was the most active and productive. There wasn’t a team in the area that put together a better résumé- building Thanksgiving week than coach Tyrone Slaughter’s squad.
Valparaiso- bound Javon Freeman played the part of a Player of the Year candidate as the Dolphins racked up six victories, including three against state- ranked- caliber teams. Young defeated Rockford Jefferson, a team that’s expected to challenge for a spot in Peoria this March, and two ranked foes in Larkin and Fenwick.
◆ While the south suburbs might not feature the heavyweights it typically does, the door has been opened for a program such as Rich East to grab some headlines.
The Rockets went 3- 1 at the Riverside- Brookfield Thanksgiving Tournament, losing only to ranked Oak Park 91- 81. But coach Craig Hodges, the former Bulls three- point specialist, has a team that’s going to be fun to watch because of its high- octane offense, depth and relentless speed.
In their four games at R- B, the Rockets averaged 94 points. Hodges can go 10 deep and has multiple scorers, including senior guard Vashawn Sims. But it’s 5- 8 junior point guard Ramone Woods who makes this team go.
◆ Bolingbrook went 3- 0 with an average victory margin of 28 points, and an overlooked and unassuming Benet team went 4- 0 with an upset victory against highly ranked Fenwick. Hmmm, that sounds familiar.
◆ It’s clear Brother Rice will be better than most people expect. That’s because Bobby Frasor is one of the bright, young coaches in the business and Marquise Kennedy is ready to arrive on the scene in a big way.
Kennedy, a 6- 1 junior, opened some eyes last season at Crete-Monee, but the moves to Brother Rice and to point guard are going to expand his game. Kennedy was sensational in the Crusaders’ lone loss to ranked Lincoln- Way East.
◆ Hello, North Lawndale! There was plenty of Public League talk in the preseason, but none of it centered on coach Lewis Thorpe’s team.
The Phoenix graduated a lot from their team last season, including scorer Carlos Hines and all-everything Martrell Barnes. But Thorpe has two devastating scorers on the perimeter in senior David Forrest and junior Demetrius Douglas. North Lawndale went 4- 0 and capped the weekend with a victory against ranked Waukegan.
◆ New Trier boasts terrific size and junior big men Ciaran Brayboy and Spencer Boehm get the attention, but the key is tough senior guard Andrew Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick was the most valuable player of the New Trier/ Loyola tournament as the Trevians went 4- 0 to claim the title.
The Central Suburban League South is expected to be strong and competitive, and the conference showed why in the opening week. Maine South, New Trier and Niles North are 4- 0, and Evanston is 3- 1.