Perfect season a slam dunk
Perfect season a slam dunk for ‘grateful’ Hillcrest after big final conference win over Richards
Unbeaten Hillcrest “grateful” after big final conference win over Richards.
Hillcrest’s Julius Rollins took the pass in transition just outside the top of the key.
All that stood between Rollins and the basket was empty space.
It wasn’t a matter of if the Kent State recruit was going to dunk. But rather, it was a case of which highlight-reel dunk was he going to pull out of his vast arsenal.
With 4:19 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday night, the 6-foot-6 senior forward chose a vicious windmill dunk, applying the exclamation point to an 86-63 South Suburban crossover victory over host Richards in Oak Lawn.
It also cemented the first undefeated season in the boys basketball program’s history for Hillcrest (13-0, 13-0).
“The windmill is one of my favorite dunks ever,” Rollins said. “I just knew I had to get it down and go out with a bang.”
It was the second of two dunks on the night for Rollins, who also set up Jakobi Heady for an alleyoop jam and later tossed a pass off the backboard to a trailing Hamahrie Bowers for another slam.
It was showtime, and Rollins played a primary role.
Heady led the Hawks with 23 points, followed by Rollins with 20, Bowers with 13 and Kenton Wright with nine.
For Richards (10-3, 10-3), senior forward Anthony Taylor capped off a superb season with 31 points. Senior guard Stevon Lige and junior guard Santiago Rios each had nine.
Without a postseason, Hillcrest considered Friday’s showdown its state championship game.
“That’s what we talked about before the game,” Rollins said. “To go 13-0 means the world to me. We had a lot of fun and made memories. I’m grateful we got a chance to play this year. I’ve learned you can’t take this stuff for granted.”
Heady, a 6-6 senior forward, was ecstatic to share the court with his teammates.
Even in an abbreviated form. “I’m just glad I was able to play with my brothers,” Heady said. “We came out every game and played hard. I wish we could have showed the world the team we were. We wanted to make a statement every game, especially (Friday).”
The Hawks had revenge on their mind from losing last season to Richards.
Richards coach Chris Passafiume wished the Hawks had an opportunity to play a normal season.
“It’s a shame we couldn’t get a chance to see them compete against top-tier competition,” he said. “Those are great kids and they play hard. They’re so deep and talented. We tried to weather the storm. But you need two weeks to prepare for them.”
That’s because every starter for the Hawks was not only highly skilled but experienced.
Rollins, Heady and Bowers were all three-year starters. Wright was a four-year starter. Mar’Keise Irving, a three-year starter, decided to skip Friday’s game to attend football practice.
A prized running back, Irving is set to attend Minnesota on a football scholarship.
Hillcrest coach Don Houston enjoyed every moment with this senior-laden team.
“It meant a lot to coach this group,” he said. “At the beginning of the season, they said if we can’t play for a state championship, the next-best thing is to go undefeated. They did it and I’m proud of them.
“They made their mark. This is a deep team that was built to win a state championship. It’s a shame we didn’t get that opportunity this year, but we’re grateful to have played at all.”