Can’t miss
Wouldn’t you love to see how King’s team could be in two places at the same time? There is a good chance the Jaguars could wind up in the title game of both the Public League tournament and the 17th annual Proviso West Holiday Tournament.
“We’ll work that out,” said King coach Landon Cox. “I’m sure the Public League tournament will let us play earlier in the day.” A new Illinois High School Association rule allows a team to compete simultaneously in two tournaments. Both title games are Dec. 30, with the Public League at 2:30 p.m. and Proviso West at 7:30 p.m.
In a hurry
For those with little time to spare, Rich South’ 25th annual Big Dipper Tournament features a 35-second shot clock. This was the tournament that used a three-point line several years before it became standardized.
Fill up the tank
How’s this for a super Saturday of basketball? Start your day Dec. 27 at 3:45 p.m. at Proviso West with a possible second-round matchup of Westinghouse vs. Proviso East. Stick around for perhaps the best second-round game of any tournament, Fenwick vs. New Trier. Of course, this is all contingent on competition holding true to form.
Now comes the tricky part. You drive out to Elgin and take in the 8:15 p.m. championship game which should feature Fremd against the host Maroons. Hopefully, Elgin star Sean Harrington is lighting up the night to give his team a comfortable lead by the third quarter. You excuse yourself from those proceedings and drive to York for the last quarter of the Gordon Tech-Palatine title game that tipped off at 9 p.m.
Head to head
For a splendid coaching matchup of contrasting styles, be at Proviso West at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, provided Thornridge’s Mike Flaherty gets to match wits with King’s Cox.
King likes its basketball in the same style its coach dresses–flashy, colorful and spectacular. You’ll notice Thornridge’s game matches its understated, low-key coach.
Must see
Be sure to check out these top players at various tournament sites. They could be the NCAA’s stars of tomorrow.
– Proviso West–Duke-bound, 6-foot-6-inch Corey Maggette and 6-2 Loyola recruit Chris Williams of Fenwick
– Matt Lottich of New Trier
– 6-8 Arizona signee Michael Wright of Farragut
– 6-10 Leon Smith and Imari Sawyer of King.
– York–6-9 freshman Eddie Curry of Thornwood
– Sophomore Jitim Young of Gordon Tech
– 6-7 Jason Guiden and 6-4 Brendan Bruno, son of DePaul women’s coach Doug Bruno, of St. Ignatius
– Wisconsin-bound Travon Davis of Nazareth.
– Public League–6-6 DePaul recruit Quentin Richardson, Marquette-bound Cordell Henry and Dennis Gates of Young
– 6-9 DePaul recruit Lance Williams of Julian.
– Lincoln-Way–6-9 Leo sophomore Andre Brown
– Demetris McDaniel and Desmond Altman of Richards
– Janero Pargo, Robeson
– Wheeling–6-8 Illinois-bound Lucas Johnson and 6-7 Xavier recruit Kevin Frey of Maine West
– Kevin Clancy of Notre Dame.
Quotable
Dunbar coach Fate Mickel concluded his remarks at the Proviso West media night this way: “We’re definitely going to give Fenger a good game.” Which elicited a round of laughter from the gathering as Mickel was informed he probably meant FENWICK, his first-round opponent. “I wish it was Fenger,” Mickel said.
