February 7th, 2016 Issue

February 7^th, 2016 Issue

Belleville Althoff dismantled the highly regarded Chicago Kenwood squad 80-64 at the Bank of O’Fallon Shoot-Out over the weekend.  The state’s No. 1 junior Jordan Goodwin scored 30 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.  Althoff held Kenwood to a frigid 37 percent shooting night.  Althoff and Morgan Park should collide sometime here in the next 4 weeks.  The two 3A heavyweights will have a bout that will create must see viewing.  We need that kind of big game atmosphere in a down year in our state.

Western Michigan recruit Brandon Johnson a 6-7 forward at T.F. South transferred several weeks ago to Theo Bowman High School in Indiana.  Reportedly he has suited-up several games.

Junior College Wrap-Up

Kishwaukee 74 – Truman 65

(Saturday, February 6^th)

This 1:00 pm tip was played in front of about 25-30 fans, predominately family members up on the North-Side of Chicago in the once “hip & chic” Uptown neighborhood, not so long ago a bustling happening place to be.  So my anticipation levels were enormously high.  As I entered the gymnasium for some odd reason, I was wired for some fresh lyrics and the latest fashion, never-the-less there wasn’t even a sound booming from the gym speakers with the latest hot tracks from Drake, Future or Fetty Wap.  “Talk about playing in obscurity!”  The host team, Truman entered the contest with a 1-24 mark, last in the region and only outfitted six players, but those 6 players played with passion leaving everything they had on the floor.  “Talk about seizing an opportunity.”  The Falcons 6-6 forward Kenneth King racked-up 25 rebounds to go along with 16 points, while guard Travion Trimble was the game’s high-scorer with 27 points, but they were the only two in double digit figures for the under-manned Falcon team.  It was apparent from the onset that the Kishwaukee Kougars would be the dominant team, storming out to a 49-34 cushion at intermission.  Things became a little different in the second half as Kish freely used their reserves as they should, that process should occur in most junior college venues.  As the Kougars unraveled, the short-handed Falcons cut the deficit to 55-48 margin with 9:03 remaining, the closest they would get would be 59-54 at the 5:00 mark.  Kishwaukee had four players finish in double figures Jovonte Peals (Michigan City) 12, Austin Patterson (Morris) 12, Bryson Butler (Lincoln Pk) 11, Malcolm Reed (Michigan City) 10.

Fenwick 55 – DePaul Prep 33

(Friday, February 5^th)

The area’s No. 3 team cruised to a convincing twenty-two point victory on the road in their final Catholic league play before they start the league’s conference play-offs.  The seasoned Fenwick squad won their 7^th consecutive game led by senior’s Mike Smith & Mike Ballard and junior tandem Jamal Nixon & Jacob Keller, they were just too much for the overachieving host team.  In fact 2^nd year coach Tom Kleinschmidt had his team in contention ¾’s of the game behind the spirited play of seniors Toni Sudimac and Craig Atkins.  DePaul prep was down three 29-26 just after half-time, then Fenwick went on an 18-5 spurt to quash any upset thoughts.  Kleinschmidt had his group prepared and ready for a battle.  He just doesn’t have enough ammunition yet, being one of the area’s good young coaches, he will have this program at the top in the Catholic league in the next few years as he establishes the kind of culture he conveys at the Northside School.  Freshman forward Perry Cowan will give the faithful’s something to grasp as the program builds for the future.

Bloom 67 – Richards 59

(Tues, February 2^nd))

A cold wintery rainy night didn’t stop about 300-350 fans from attending this south suburban non-conference match-up.  Bloom was clearly the superior with its size and athleticism, the Trojans were able to race out 22-10 in the opening half; at intermission they were ahead 34-19.  Bloom’s senior swingman Jamal Parks looks like he’s going to be a gem one day.  Parks likely will need a junior college, where the wiry 6-4 shooter with a sweet stroke will excel as a primary scoring threat on the perimeter or attacking the basket.  His ball-handling ability allows him to get his sweet spots effortlessly.  Bloom’s 6-3 junior Jalen Lee will be a player of interest as the season looms.  He finished with 18, while Parks netted 19.  Richard’s six foot five guard/forward Jaylan Catledge was impressive this night, the junior tallied 5 points in the first half, but then went for 27 in the closing half keeping his team within striking distance.  Catledge is a strong body athletic wing who will likely be two guard in college, punishes defenders attacking the rim (they literally bounce off of him).  He’s very adept at drawing fouls, the scary part is Catledge can step outside and make shots with some three point abilities.  In the right conference collegiately this kid could be a defensive stopper who can possibly defend three positions.  Next season he just might average 30+, especially as he continues to improve on his game.  Big East, ACC, Big 10, PAC 12, Conference USA may eventually come to the Oak-Lawn school to pay him a visit.