IN CHICAGO

IN CHICAGO

Championship Game – Friday, Nov. 27th
At St. Patrick’s – 4:00 pm

De La Salle 65 – Niles West 55

George Willbourn led three players in double figures as the Meteor’s defeated Niles West to capture the holiday title.  Willbourn, one of the top unsigned seniors in the state was named the tournament MVP, but the play of 6-2 senior swingman Christian Hayes and 6-5 forward Andre Raiford was impressive throughout the event.  Both players certainly helped their value with recruiting both being unsigned seniors, this could be the year De La Salle surprises the Catholic league foes, their trademark this season will be all out scrappy/heady play, one thing about this group they are relentless competitors.  The Meteors will be tested with an upcoming date at St. Joseph.

Championship Game – Friday Nov. 27th
At DePaul – 7:45

Evanston 71 – Niles Notre Dame 64

“At the onset of this build-up marquee matchup, it was a swift reminder for me that high-school basketball has resumed and prima-donna antics are in full bloom.”  A full house on the north-side witnessed Evanston survive a mild comeback by the Don’s from Notre Dame to win the second annual Lane Tech/DePaul Prep Thanksgiving Classic.  Junior guard Chris Hamil (16 pts) kick-started the Wildkits offense with three treys in the 1st period giving Evanston a 14-10 lead, the Wildkits drained five 3’s in an entertaining first half, junior Nojel Eastern netted two of the five.  Eastern was the tournament MVP but he had a subpar showing in the final, going 4-13 from the field, while converting three treys, he mustered-up 6 turn-overs while finishing with 19.  The Don’s struggled in the third quarter, but somehow managed to recover from a 20 point deficit behind the spirited play of junior guard Matt Stritzel (19 pts) and point guard Lucas Simon (6 pts).  The closest the Don’s could gain on the Wildkits was four points.  Anthony D’Avanzo added 14 markers and 11 rebounds, while junior standout Jeameril Wilson was saddled with early foul trouble, he wasn’t much of a factor this game, but the 6-6 junior is a player to watch.  Elyah Williams for Evanston played well, he tallied 10 points and 13 boards, his total results came quietly, he wasn’t involved much in the offense.