Spot-Liter’s Game of the Week

Spot-Liter’s Game of the Week

(Saturday, January 30^th)

LaSalle Peru 44 – Washington, IL 43

A packed house watched a base-line jumper from Washington’s Lou Griffith carom off the mark at the buzzer securing a one point victory for L.P.  Both teams entered the ball game with a combined 35-1 record, Washington which came into the contest 19-1, only loss was to Springfield Lanphier in overtime at the Pekin Holiday Title game by 4.  L.P. (17-0) nabbed their first “so called” signature win knocking off the Panthers Saturday night.  Visiting Washington jumped out early to a 10-2 advantage, but eventually landed themselves in foul trouble.  The contest was tightly officiated and was marred by a string of fouls by both teams consequently there was one and one opportunities for each team by the end of the first quarter.  Washington (IL) is the program that produced current Valpo star Alec Peters.  This year’s squad is small, but rely on sharp ball movement, patience in seeking a high percentage shot, which could be an open three pointer most times, they shoot at a high clip.  The Panthers are a good defensive group and are well coached by Kevin Brown.  L.P. took its first lead of the game (15-14) on a three pointer by senior point-guard Brady Huebbe and went into the locker-room at half time with a 23-21 advantage.  Wasington (IL) at times had three freshmen on the floor, they played four during the contest and one sophomore to go along with stand-out junior point Devin Whitelow who makes the engine go, but the leader of the squad is 5-8 senior guard Lou Griffith (14 pts).  He is by far one of the craftier skilled players we have in the 2016 class.  Washington had four players foul out of the game including Whitelow, but lost a key player junior Colton Sharp (10 pts) went-down in a loose ball collision late in the third quarter and had to leave the game, it looked like he had concussion symptoms.  Sharp had made some timely shots early in the quarter, his absence really hurt Washington’s chances down the stretch negating their quest for their twentieth victory of the season.  Sophomore guard Tairae Hersemann’s three pointer with under a minute left in the game made it 44-43, but L.P. managed a sobering 12-25 from the charity stripe so that prevented them from pushing away from the Panthers, but L.P. was able to prevail after Lou Griffith shot at the buzzer fell off-the-mark.  This unexpected track was well worth the trip, very entertaining affair, hard fought by both teams, well coached, while both squads are ranked in the 3A format.  I was impressed with Washington’s freshmen corps which leads me to believe the 2019 class in Illinois will be a fun group to cover the next few years.

Farragut 55 – Marshall 54

(Wednesday, January 27^th)

Senior night capped off some emotions for the host admirals as they managed to pull-out a one point victory.  After intermission Farragut did not have the same kind of intensity of passion they displayed at the onset of the contest, when they sustained leads of 14-6 / 19-9 before Marshall sliced the deficit to 26-22 before half.  This was a scrappy affair, once viewed as one of the city’s biggest rivalries, but now a days you can barely fill-up a parking lot, let alone a gymnasium.  Marshall had fan support of about 40-50 and made sure to have their voices & chants heard.  Marshall had a shot go in & out as time prevailed.  Leading scores in this game was Farragut’s Kawanse Wilkins finished with 20.  While Dulan Scott had an off night with 10 pts.  LaSalle University and U.M.K.C. was in the stands to see Scott.  Marshall received 15 pts. from senior guard Tyrese Willford and 11 points from Johnsal Harris a freshman guard.

South Suburban 95 – Kishwaukee 92

(Monday January 25^th)

Former Hillcrest standout Javon Mooring was too much down the stretch for the host Kishwaukee Kougars.  In South Suburban’s come from behind victory Mooring on the brink of an All-American type season capped-off his night with a cool 32 points on 10-16 shooting from the field, including three huge three’s when his Bull-Dog squad was rallying from ten points down (59-49) with under 14:00 minutes left in the ball game.  South Suburban came into the highly contested road game ranked among the junior colleges finest.  Kishwaukee gave a good fight after starting slow in front of a packed house.  South Suburban jumped out on the Kougars to a 19-11 lead, but the host team fought back and took control and maintained a 41-38 lead at intermission behind a team oriented attack.  The second half opened with Kishwaukee executing their game plan at both ends, but things quickly came apart for the Kougars after a 10 point cushion at the 15 minute mark.  The Bull-Dog’s Jalen Myers nailed two timely treys and Oak-Park’s Eric Locke scored eight of his thirteen points during the run.  Anthony Harris made shots all night (7-13) completed the evening with 20.  Kishwaukee is a well-coached squad that lacks some size and bulk on the interior, but compensates with a system that features long possessions, deep into the shot club, ball movement and timely back-door cutting is a part of their system.  And the outside marksmanship of freshman Austin Patterson (14) (Morris) is a key part of their system.  Malcontent point-guard Bryson Butler spearheads the offense, he tallied 9 points & 11 assists, Armon Williams (Oak-Forest) led the Kougars with 21 markers.  Michigan City Catholic alums Jovonte Peals (18) and Malcolm Reed 11 and Ryan Reeder 9 concluded the scoring.  The difference in this game was all about Javon Mooring and his ability to make big shots & timely free-throws, this is exactly what game changing scorers should provide.  University Minnesota and Illinois Chicago were in attendance.  Mooring followed-up this game with 38 points versus Olive Harvey on Thursday night with University Wisconsin and U.M.K.C. in the house.