Young’s Johnson a stock stuffer
No. 1
There are few uncommitted Division I senior prospects left on the board. But the state’s best one, Young’s Daniel Johnson, only enhanced his stock over the holidays.
Johnson was sensational in Young’s semifinal win over St. Rita at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament. Playing with a ton of confidence, he scored 25 points and looked the part of a smooth scorer.
He followed it up with a team-high 16 points and six rebounds in the 58-55 titlegame victory against Kenwood.
The 6-6 Johnson was still efficient despite being a marked man. In those two massive victories over teams ranked in the top five, Johnson was 15-for-28 from the field with five three-pointers. He averaged 21.5 points and seven rebounds in the four tournament wins.
After an up-and-down summer during the evaluation periods, Johnson, the tourney MVP, is playing the best basketball of his career. He has taken a big step forward with his consistency and production while playing the part of a bona fide mid-major prospect.
As a result, the tandem of point guard Dalen Davis and Johnson has Young right back as city and state contenders once again.
No. 2
The West Suburban Silver, dominated by Glenbard West a year ago, was expected to be a two-team race featuring Lyons and Downers Grove North.
Lyons and Downers Grove North have lived up to the preseason expectations, going a combined 23-2 to start the season, but after what took place over the holidays, might Hinsdale Central be ready to join them?
Fresh off winning its Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic for the first time, coach Nick Latorre’s team heads into the new year oozing confidence. Hinsdale Central is a different team than it was just a month ago.
Led by tournament MVP Ben Oosterbaan, the Red Devils knocked off ranked Oswego East, a team it lost to by 10 points over Thanksgiving. The tournament run included wins over Homewood-Flossmoor and Marian Catholic as the 6-4 Oosterbaan, a Michigan baseball recruit, averaged 21.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Hinsdale Central will get a shot at Lyons on Jan. 20.
No. 3
This holiday basketball season packed a punch.
The crowds at each stop over the last couple of days were lively, filling gyms at the State Farm Classic, Big Dipper, Pontiac, Proviso West and York tournaments.
There was a star player in Cameron Christie who dazzled and impressed while leading Rolling Meadows to five wins in five days at York.
The top uncommitted seniors, the aforementioned Johnson and Simeon’s Jalen Griffith, did everything in their power to earn more college interest while leading their teams. They both won tournament awards and titles.
There was an emotional send-off for Robert Smith, who won a tournament title in his final year in Pontiac — Simeon’s “second home.”
Chicago-area teams made deep runs in traditional tournaments across the state.
Mount Carmel beat highly regarded Moline to win at Pekin. Lincoln-Way East rolled to a championship in Effingham and returned 14-1. Evanston and Romeoville reached title games at Centralia and the State Farm Classic in Bloomington, respectively, where they finished second.
And there were surprises, upsets and statements from unlikely sources. Hello, Hinsdale Central, Libertyville and Grayslake Central.
This past week certainly has set a tone for what should be as intriguing a final two months of high school basketball as we’ve had in Illinois in years.