Jacobs the gem of junior class
The class of 2019 is weak all around the area, but it’s shockingly poor in the Public League. It’s always possible that some players will emerge over the spring and summer, and it’s also likely that the high- profile schools will bring in some transfers. But the way things stand now, the talent level is historically low.
Uplift’s Markese Jacobs, a Kansas recruit, is the only big- time burst of talent. He briefly transferred to a prep school in Arizona last summer before spending the season working his way back into the team’s good graces. He came off the bench in every game until last week against Hyde Park.
“Markese has been great,” Uplift coach David Taylor said. “It’s pretty well documented about the troubles he and I have had. He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do this season and been a great teammate, much better than last year. It’s been a complete 360. He is a joy to coach.
“He’s earned the starting spot. I’ve seen him try, I’ve seen the better attitude. We are a pretty dangerous team when Markese gets going.”
The weak junior class means that several of the city’s traditional powers have a lot of playing time available next season. Taylor knows that other coaches are going to approach Jacobs about transferring.
“Of course, but I have to say I feel pretty comfortable,” Taylor said. “I’m basing that on everything we’ve gone through together. It would be completely senseless to leave now. He had his pick of schools to come back to, and he came back here. He chose Uplift because he is comfortable in the school, aside from basketball.”
The Titans have some major roadblocks ahead of them. They face Simeon in the Public League quarterfinals Tuesday. Then Orr looms as a possible Class 2A sectionalfinal opponent.
“Talen Horton- Tucker is playing at an extremely high level. He is a matchup nightmare,” Taylor said. “A good bit of what they run goes through him. We are going to have to try to figure it out. It is a daunting task, a very tall order. Even if we are playing our best, I think it could be a tall order.”
Morgan Park plays at Young in what should be the best quarterfinal. Expect the gameto be played at a blistering pace. Ayo Dosunmu returned fromhis injury last week and scored 29 points against Prosser and 42 against King.
The Mustangs are hungry to get a major win and prove themselves.
Kenwood, which knocked off Lincoln Park in the second round, will play atCurie in a quarterfinal. The Broncos have point guard Artese Stapleton back from injury, and they are 8- 2 when he plays.
Arthur Goodwin’s very young Bogan team will play at Orr in the other quarterfinal.
“We can go over there and give them a game,” Goodwin said.