Holiday Tournament Wrap-Ups - At Pontiac

At Pontiac
Simeon 45 – Benet 26   *Title
West Aurora 62 – St. Charles North 55    *3rd Place

Long, long time observers at this event are quick to mention how watered down this tournament has become in recent years, often reminiscing of the glory days when powerhouse programs such as Quincy  Lockport Peoria Manuel  Bloom  West Aurora would descend into this small farming community with its array of colorful coaches.  Now days Simeon serves as the main attraction and long-time tournament director Jim Drengwitz needs to make sure he continues to massage this relationship with the Wolverine clan.  Chicago Curie disappointed observers when they came out to an 11:00 o’clock tilt and got tripped-up in a quarter final match-up versus a disciplined Benet team, losing 67-46.  The Redwings from Lisle, Illinois ran a clinic in resemblance to the famed movie Hoosiers, Curie’s stand-out senior guard Josh Stamps managed four points and shot a cool 1 for 10 from the field, junior guard Devon Gage looked like he was the only one who looked awake ready to play.  West Aurora forward Roland Griffin named to the all-tourney first team, played with a high-motor while guiding his team to a 3rd place finish.  Jake Ludwig’s 24 points helped St. Charles North upset Plainfield North 78-76 in another quarter finals contest, despite a 30 point barrage from North’s Trevor Stumpe.  We continue to be impressed by North’s 6-5 wing Kevin Krieger, the junior notched 19 points in the ball game.  Peoria Manuel’s talented sophomore guard Da’Monte Williams was on-hand also, Monday night he looked terrific, and then Tuesday evening he showed-up low on fuel with a spotty performance against a depleted Lockport roster, Da’Monte needs to keep his motor energized regularly.  Joliet West six foot five sophomore Trevian Bell looked awfully tentative versus Simeon, but to his defense, the Nebraska bound Ed Morrow can make most opponents feel unsafe in the paint area, he often demonstrates a Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets) impression at both ends of the floor majority of the time, Simeon received all tournament performances from D.J. Williams, Zach Norvell, Isaiah Moss and obviously Ed Morrow.  Saturday, January 3rd the Wolverines will take on Bishop Gorman (Nev.) at the Cancer Research Classic in West Virginia.  Hospitality room at Pontiac’s Xmas event lands a 2 star out of 5.