On-the-Trail

On-the-Trail

Sat, Dec 12^th

Kishwaukee 82 – Chicago Olive Harvey 80

2 Over-Times

At O.H. - a mostly well played early evening junior college tilt. A crowd estimated at 200 watched both teams come out from the onset focused on executing their offense/system.  Olive Harvey team was tenacious defensively while Kishwaukee surprisingly wasn’t too shabby either.  Both teams actually demonstrated some patience while both squads played unselfishly sharing the basketball, Austin Patterson a six-foot-three shooter/scorer from Morris (IL) and Ryan Reeder 6-3 a long-distance marksman from Mendota, IL kept Kishwaukee in the game during a seesaw second half.  Bryson Butler a 6-1 point-guard from Lincoln Park got things going during the opening half where he recorded 8 pts & 4 assists for the Cougars before coming-up lame and couldn’t go back out in the second half due to an illness, never-the-less Butler was impressive during his early stint.  E’mon Frison’s (Hales) hit a critical three pointer with 3.5 seconds left tied it at 75-75 to send the contest into the 2^nd OT, the Cougars managed to hold on and get their fourth straight win, this one on the road.  Patterson tallied 24, Reeder finished with 16, Butler had 8.  The Kishwaukee group is comprised of predominately all freshmen they have a good young core but lack size on the interior.   Olive Harvey was led by Brenell Pendleton with 22 points and Travis McBride netted 19.  

Fri, Dec 11^th

Valparaiso 71 – Chicago State 53

In Chicago - the Cougars hosted perennial Horizon League leaders Valpo.  Washington (IL) native Alec Peters capped off a terrific night dropping in 26 points on 8-11 shooting night as the Crusaders rode to an eighteen  point victory, while shooting at a 41 percent clip in 1^st half and 50% from the 3 pt line.  I’m assuming the Chicago State faithful’s left the Jones Convocation Center somewhat disappointed by the Cougars lack-luster performance.  They were doomed by undisciplined play, just a lack of patience while hoisting-up ill-advised shots, many coming from deep on the perimeter, now Chicago State does possess some offensive punch, but they lack size so most understand they have to play a certain style or system that favors their strengths.  Everyone in Chicago want to see favorite son Cougar Coach Tracy Dildy reach the heights with his program, entering his sixth year at the school, but they have to figure out ways to execute whatever scheme or game preparation they have going into an affair with an opponent such as Valpo.  Former Crane guard Kieran Woods was the only Cougar in double figures with 14.  Valparaiso had a contingent of fans in the stand to cheer on Chicago area players Darien Walker 12 (Simeon), Keith Carter 9 (Proviso East), Jubril Adekoya 6 (Andrew) and Lexus Williams (Marist).  The Cougars non-conference match-ups will certainly have them in contention and ready for a tough competitive league play.

Thurs, Dec 10^th

Kenwood 55 – Hyde Park 51

(Dynamite High-School Environment)

A packed house which included some former notable coaches and players watched this red-central show-down.  Kenwood’s senior guard Zion Morgan was too much for the host team, he turned-in a 29 pt outing.  Morgan a 6-1, combo committed to Valpo but did not sign early, scored nine points in the crucial 4^th period, but his two free-throws with 31.7 seconds left pretty much sealed the deal for the Broncos.  Hyde Park’s 6-7 senior Tajuan Agee was saddled with foul trouble most of the game and was held in check until the remaining 5 minutes in the contest where he came up with some key plays, junior center 6-8 Anthony Cameron was also in foul trouble and had a tough time getting on track most of the game.  Brandon Daugherty kept the Thunderbirds within striking distance with 12 first half markers, he finished the evening with 18 points, he is a player to watch, he does have some scoring ability on the perimeter and will likely need a juco next season.  Kenwood’s unsigned senior forward Nick Robinson didn’t reach double figures, but he had several moments of eye-popping plays.  The Indiana State recruit did not sign early just like his team-mate Morgan.  Hopefully this isn’t a new trend we’re witnessing, “because it-isn’t-cool”, there are other optional ways of getting out of a letter of intent if it’s a coaching change by the season’s end.  Whoever might be advising them & their families should look at this in a different manner its business on both sides of the table.  Junior Manny Patterson fought & battled all night, tallied 10 points.