Bloxton bolsters Bogan at R- B
The annual Riverside- Brookfield Shootout — 40 teams converging and competing over two days during the first week of June — is always the first glimpse into the next high school basketball season.
Here’s a quick rundown of all that took place this weekend at the 16th annual summer shootout.
Keep an eye on: Bogan has as much depth as any team in the city. The Bengals will come at you inwaves with so many returning players. But the addition of Antione Bloxton augments that depth and bolsters coach Arthur Goodwin’s attack.
Bloxton, a 6- 2 junior guard, has transferred from Julian after putting up big numbers last season. As a sophomore, Bloxton was named to the all- tournament team at the Centralia Thanksgiving Tournament after scoring 18 points against Belleville East and 26 against Centralia.
With a natural feel for scoring and an overall smooth game, Bloxton made his presence felt at R- B in pool play.
Young Hillcrest opens eyes: Coach Don Houston doesn’t have a big name, has very little size and will miss graduated senior Bobby Harvey, yet the Hawks were one of the bigger stories at R- B on the first day of play.
Hillcrest went 3- 0 in pool play, including a win against Simeon, with two sophomores — point guard Kenton Wright and 6- foot Mar’Keise Irving — fueling its success. The 5- 9 Wright is a seasoned young player, and Irving had a 24- point outburst in a win.
The key, however, could be 6- 5 senior Dylan West, who put together a solid junior year and offers the only size for a team that will rely heavily on quickness and how hard it plays.
OPRF still stocked: Oak Park has lost significant pieces in recent years, but coach Matt Maloney’s cupboard never seems bare. The Huskies, who went unbeaten in conference play and won 23 games last season, showed at R- B that they’ll once again be the team to beat in the West Suburban Silver Conference.
The Huskies went 3- 0 in pool play Saturday, beating Andrew, Loyola and Uplift.
The senior foursome of guards Dashon Enoch and Chase Robinson, 6- 6 Charlie Hoehne and athletic wing Anthony Roberts is an outstanding foundation for the 20182019 season. The addition of Isaiah Barnes, a transfer from Romeoville, could prove to be a big plus, as well. Barnes is an emerging prospect in the Class of 2021.
ESCC battle: Benet always will have a say in the East Suburban Catholic Conference race. But St. Viator, the defending champion, and Marian Catholic, which finished third in Class 3A this past season, are primed to make a run this winter.
Marian Catholic, behind Ahron Ulis, Malik Tidwell and 6- 6 Chris White, impressed at R- B on Saturday with a 3- 0 record, including a lopsided victory against Downers Grove North and a win against DePaul Prep.
St. Viator finished 2- 1 as the senior tandem of Jerry Hernandez and Trey Calvin continued to sparkle.
Oden ready to rise: St. Rita’s Jeremiah Oden has been an intriguing college prospect for a long time. He brings ideal 6- 7 size, length and athleticism. One of the youngest players in the Class of 2019, Oden again showed glimpses of what he will become once he matures physically and his game continues to grow. Oden is the classic lateblooming prospect in the senior class.