Lincoln Park getting chance to strut stuff
No. 1
Lincoln Park is a prime example of what’s good about the newly formed ‘‘ super conferences’’ in the Chicago Public League.
There have been plenty of complaints and issues with the model. But for Lincoln Park and coach Pat Gordon, it has offered a chance to shine on a bigger stage and to enhance the program’s reputation across the city.
Lincoln Park is now able to play Orr, North Lawndale, Farragut and Young, which it beat 96- 91 in December. The bar has been raised.
‘‘ These are games we have been trying to get on our schedule,’’ Gordon said. ‘‘ It’s an opportunity to get our program more exposure and play better competition.’’
In addition to their victory against Young, the Lions impressed at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament, beatingMarian Catholic, St. Charles East and DePaul Prep and losing to Bolingbrook by three points.
Senior Terrence Shannon has been one of the breakout players in the Chicago area this season. The 6- 6 Shannon is averaging 17 points.
No. 2
Morgan Park coach Nick Irvin said: ‘‘ Once we get Ayo [ Dosunmu] back and we get Tamell [ Pearson] back, we’re the best team in the state, and we’re going to run the table.’’
When it comes to Class 3A in particular, Irvin might be right.
Locals such as Bogan, Marian Catholic and Hillcrest, along with central Illinois powers Champaign Central and Springfield Lanphier, are legitimate threats. But if all things are right with Morgan Park, the Mustangs remain the team to beat despite their six early losses.
Dosunmu, an Illinois recruit, has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. Pearson, a 6- 9 senior who has signed with UAB, has missed every game but one after undergoing surgery on his eye. Dosunmu is expected back soon, and Pearson is set to return in February.
In their absence, 6- 6 senior Cameron Burrell, senior guard Kenyon Duling, sophomore guard Marcus Watson and superstar sophomore Adam Miller, who was the most valuable player of the Big Dipper Holiday Tournament, have risen to the occasion.
‘‘ Other people have had to step up,’’ Irvin said. ‘‘ That’s only going to help us later in the season.’’
No. 3
Lemont has a luxury, an advantage very few teams in the state enjoy. Now it’s about whether the Indians can exploit it against the top teams on their schedule.
With talented big men in 6- 8 senior Paul O’Leary and 6- 7 junior Nate Ferguson, Lemont has an underrated tandem and a distinct size advantage in every game it plays.
O’Leary and Ferguson are about equally productive, with O’Leary averaging 17 points and six rebounds and Ferguson 17 points and seven rebounds.
O’Leary is a coveted smallcollege prospect, but the versatile Ferguson, who can play inside and facing the basket, is among the City/ SuburbanHoops Report’s top 25 prospects in the Class of 2019.
The two have led Lemont to a 10- 5 start. If the guard play can solidify itself, the Indians hope to evolve into a threat to Hillcrest in the South Suburban Blue.