Without a single returning starter, Riverside-Brookfield finds itself unbeaten in conference play.
The feat is barely noteworthy, though, as it seems to happen every year.
The Bulldogs (13-4, 4-0) can put themselves in the driver’s seat for an 11th consecutive Metro Suburban Conference title with a victory at Ridgewood (12-5, 5-0) Friday night.
Last winter, R-B rode
Ryan Jackson
, who is currently Lewis University’s second-leading scorer, and three seniors who were JV players as juniors all the way to a sectional final — an 80-75 loss to Crane.
Juniors
Damonta Henry
and 6-foot-7 center
Miki Ljuboja
have made a seamless transition from a successful sophomore team, and senior
Luke Nortier
also has stood out.
Here’s a look at some other important conference games in the next week.
Homewood-Flossmoor seniors
Delvon Rencher
,
Tim Williams
and
Tyrone Sherman
began their varsity careers with high expectations as sophomores.
They have not won a ton of big games in H-F uniforms, but they have kept the Southwest Suburban championship streak intact.
H-F has won its division in all six years of the league’s existence, but the new kid on the block may have something to say about that Tuesday night.
That’s when the Vikings (13-5, 6-0) will travel to Joliet West (12-4, 5-1), which split from Joliet Central last season.
Rencher, Williams and Sherman have enjoyed fine careers, and the Vikings have additional talent and size with 6-7 senior
Antonio Bishop
and 6-4 junior
Maurius Hill
. But as a group they have not shown the ability to consistently knock down outside shots.
Joliet West will counter H-F’s considerable size with 6-9 senior
Marlon Johnson
. Look for a big game from guard
Morris Dunnigan
.
The East Suburban Catholic Conference is deeper than all but a few leagues, but St. Viator (15-3, 3-0) might be tough to catch if the Lions can win two tough games over the next five days.
The stretch begins Saturday afternoon in Chicago Heights, where Marian Catholic (11-6, 3-0) also looks to take over sole possession of first place.
On Thursday, St. Viator will host defending champion Benet (13-4, 4-1). The Redwings aren’t what they were last year when they had two Big Ten players, but they’re still on solid footing — and figure to be for years to come.
