Illinois Spot-Lite’s Top Chicagoland Teams - 02/04/2014

“How They Fared”

1. Stevenson (18-2) – “Defeated Lake Zurich Tues nite 69-47; a match-up with Simeon awaits in the next week or so; Bronson & Co. coming off a low-key week;  only losses coming from out of town teams.”
2. Simeon (19-2) – “Coach Rob Smith just amassed 300 victories in just 11 seasons; they have a first round tune-up with Mather on Thursday Feb 5th.”
3. St. Rita (16-2) – “Beat a good Hales squad 55-48 Fri nite; the next night romped Fenwick 59-40; displayed too much length Tues nite against Marist 53-38.”
4. Lake Forest (20-1) – “Bourdreaux & Co. sailing along for now; handled Warren 45-34 Tues nite.”
5. Morgan Park (17-5) – “Completely man-handled Vocational on their court 92-48; then went to Los Angeles and polished-off Cathedral over the weekend; now have a date Thurs with Foreman 1st round of the city play-offs.”
6. Hales (18-3) – “St. Rita’s length was just too much on Fri nite in a 55-48 loss; dusted off Brother Rice Tues nite 72-51.”
7. Maine South (20-2) – “Got by New Trier in a close one 50-45 over the weekend; then beat Hersey Tues 66-59; a date at Evanston on Thurs.”
8. St. Joseph (16-5) – “They lost by 53-52 to Highland Park at the Batavia Shoot-Out Sat; Ping has some issues to clean-up before the state play-offs.”
9. Bogan (14-6) – “With the city play-offs now looming, can they put it together and make a serious run at the title?”
10. Geneva (20-2) – “Big game versus St. Charles East on Thursday at home.”
11. St. Charles East (18-2) – “We will see if Cole Gentry & crew are legit on Thurs.”
12. Riverside Brookfield (18-2) – “Crushed Wheaton Academy 78-44 Fri nite.”
13. Neuqua Valley (20-3) – “Connor Raridon should be considered for All-State 1st or 2nd team; they knocked-off a tough Bartlett team Fri nite 66-61; PG Desmond George can play.”
14. Thornwood (14-5) – “Knocked-off conference rival Thornton 51-46 Tues nite; beat a good Lincoln-Way West squad 67-54 last Fri nite; they could potentially upset some top dog’s at the Eisenhower 4A sectional next month.”
15. Kenwood (16-5) – “They’ve enjoyed a fine season under first year coach Marlo Finner; now they will be tested again during the city play-offs; the Broncos have Collins H.S. up first.”
16. Thornton (15-3) – “Beat Bradley on OVT 71-68 last Fri; lost to Thornwood on a close game 51-46 Tues nite.”
17. DePaul Prep (16-5) – “Enjoyed a cake-walk week in which they dismantled Holy Trinity 60-46; clubbed Leo at home last Friday 71-54; this is a system team and well coached.”  
18. Niles Notre Dame (18-4) – “Mooney & Becar continue to provide a combined 40 points per outing; crushed Joliet Catholic last Sat 60-42.”
19. Curie (14-5) – “Won the White Conference Title handily; now face a tough road test Thurs at Marshall in the City Play-Offs.”
20. Uplift (17-4) – “Beat a weak Gary-Roosevelt team Saturday 74-50; they could be peaking at the right time; they will have to be at their very best to advance into the final 8 round in the city play-offs.”

Top 5 Games to Watch on Thursday, February 5th, 2015

7-Maine South at Evanston 7:00 pm
Westinghouse at Hyde Park 5:00 pm
19-Curie at Marshall 5:00 pm
Lincoln Park at Vocational 5:00 pm
11-St. Charles East at 10-Geneva 7:00 pm