Player of Year race tough to call
It’s time to accept that this is a season without a superstar player. Several players entered the season as Player of the Year contenders, and all have played well. But none has outdone the others.
The race is wide- open heading into February. That hasn’t been the case since 2008, when HomewoodFlossmoor’s Kevin Dillard won the award.
The contenders, in alphabetical order:
Ayo Dosunmu, Morgan Park
It’s fairly rare for a junior to win the award, but Dosunmu has a shot. He has had plenty of big games, and orchestrating a victory last week against Simeon was a big shot in the arm to his chances.
Nojel Eastern, Evanston
The Wildkits are winning. Eastern says that is his main goal, as it should be.
‘‘ I’m not trying to put up 40 or 55 points,’’ Eastern said. ‘‘ I just want to get a state trophy. That’s what I’m focused on.’’
Evanston lost to Naperville North twoweeks ago but rebounded with a nice victory Saturday against Homewood- Flossmoor.
‘‘ We needed that [ loss to Naperville North],’’ Eastern said. ‘‘ That was a reality check. We underestimated them a little bit.’’
Eastern needs a signature victory to boost his candidacy. Evanston plays Simeon on Feb. 18.
Evan Gilyard, Simeon
Two weeks ago, things seemed to be trending Gilyard’s way. Then Simeon hit a rough patch, losing to Bogan and Morgan Park. He has been a major force in the city and state his entire career, and that will help his chances.
Elijah Joiner, Curie
Joiner has turned it on since the Condors lost to Danville and Joliet West at Pontiac. He scored 40 points in a victory at Kenwood, and it was one of the best performances any player has had this season.
Joiner also scored 21 points to lead the Condors to a victory against Thornton. A deep run in the city tournament would bolster his candidacy.
Cam Krutwig, Jacobs
Krutwig has the numbers to win the award. But he hasn’t played against the high- level schedule a lot of the other candidates have, which will be difficult to overcome.
Justin Smith, Stevenson
Smith has the stats — and the mind- blowing highlight dunks — to win the award. Like a lot of other players on this list, his chances hinge on his team’s success. The Patriots’ loss last week toWarren definitely hurt Smith’s odds.
Alonzo Verge, Thornton
He’s too talented not to be on this list. Verge is putting up big numbers and had a tripledouble this month against Marian Catholic. Like Eastern, he needs a major victory to bolster his chances. That’s a problem because the Wildcats don’t face another ranked team in the regular season.
Lucas Williamson, Young
Williamson can do a bit of everything. He always has been a terrific rebounder and had the ability to get to the basket, but he’s making the three- point shot consistently this season. He has posted several high- point games this season and has the Dolphins poised to make a run at the city and state titles.