Games of the Week

Games of the Week

Marion Catholic 52 – St. Patrick 35

(Friday Night, February 12^th)

A semi-full house on a cold night watched this East Suburban Catholic match-up as Marion’s size & athleticism was too much for St. Pat’s to overcome in the second half.  The Shamrocks did manage to make it interesting, early jumping out to a 12-9 start.  It took a three pointer by Marion’s Chase Adams to put the visitors ahead 22-20 right before half.   Momentum sharply shifted the next two quarters as Marion took a commanding lead by the end of three (42-25).  As the game moved on to a predictable front, my lens started to focus on the talented roster that Marion Catholic has assembled; 6-5 junior forward Austin Richie has excellent size & length; he mostly plays on the perimeter where he displays a wealth of potential as a reliable shooter.  I’d like to see him go a tad harder, never-the-less Richie is viewed as a mid-major prospect.  Sophomore play-maker Chase Adams looked cat-quick & clever.  I didn’t realize he shot-it so well from the field, including the three ball, Chase views the game from a different lens then most young back-court players.  “No question, he one of the elite generals in the talented crop of 2019 ball-handlers.  His fellow back-court mate sophomore Brandon Hurt also has mad game, he can create & get in the lanes in a hurry and he finishes well in transition.  Hurt, carts the swagger of a player with offensive prowess, he’s a good lookin prospect, Adams and Hurt will be a high-scoring duel by their senior year.  Junior postman Tee Aaron Powell is a promising prospect at six foot eight he still has a ways to go in terms of polishing-up his skills.  Powell’s foot-work isn’t bad, but his mitts need to become more sure-handed, particularly when traffic arrives.  He should be able soon to impact a game by clogging the lanes, rebounding/blocking & altering shots while providing inside scoring, this should be his forte in the near future.  6-7 senior forward Myles Howard has always been an intriguing player, he’s not much of a scoring threat, but he’s a superb passer, blocks shots, and runs the floor.  Howard could be a nice intangible piece for a program with a nice blend of talent surrounding him.  Lewis University reportedly has shown strong interest, he could command some low division one looks in an academic environment.  Marion now 18-5 ranked among the top 10-12 in the area will face some stiff challenges as the Bloom Sectional looms.  But the future is bright for this young squad from Chicago Heights.

Farragut 73 – Uplift 64

(Thursday, February 11^th)

An amped-up environment in Uptown watched a highly competitive second round play-off game.  This was a scrappy affair from the onset.  Uplift got out front ending the opening period up 16-11.  Uplift’s freshman guard Martise Jacobs four point play gave the host team a short 24-19 lead with 3:27 left in the 1st half, but then Farragut went on an 11-6 run to close the half ahead 30-26.  Farragut pretty much controlled the tempo with a slow patient pace, finishing the third up 48-38.  Uplift couldn’t gain any traction in this one, they got within 54-47 with 5:21 remaining in the final period.  The Admirals received double digit scoring from players – Dulan Scott 16 – Nayshawn Hayslett 16, he hit some big threes; Kawanise Wilkins 13, junior forward Darnell Jones 15 was terrific along the baseline.  Freshman guard Aaron Strong recorded 13.  “This kid is already equipped with an offensive game most seniors yearn for and will be a treat to watch as he gains experience.”  Uplift counters with stand-out frosh Martise Jacobs who finished as the game’s leading scorer with 23.  Jacobs, a gifted athlete doesn’t resemble the average freshman particularly in physical stature.  He’s listed at 5-10, but he’s a chiseled cut athlete.  “This dude is a throw-back type, I haven’t seen anyone in recent years have the hydraulics he has on his jump shot.  Jacobs registered 4 dunks in this high level game, he’s a high-light-reel awaiting to happen.  (We will need footage on some of his feats as he continues to grow into his game.)  His older brother junior Damarius is 6-4, a silk-smooth jump shooter who glides to the rim in transition, he carts some knowledge of the game, but needs to be aligned & activated throughout a high-level contest.  Damarius netted 16. 

Blackhawk College 76 – Kishwaukee 70

(Tuesday, February 16^th)

After an impressive win last week at home versus Illinois Valley (83-76) where the Kish Kougars received sparkling performances from freshman forward Javonte Peals, 23 pts (Michigan City) and a triple/double outing from Lincoln Pk grad Bryson Butler (17-12-10) couldn’t overcome poor decision making, missed foul shots this night in a critical game on the road with seeding metrics on-the-line for both teams as they prepare for a highly competitive regional play-off, where Triton College and South Suburban are the favorites to advance.  Blackhawks, Brandon Vice was too much for the Kougars, the six foot seven forward scored 24 as he showed an array of post-moves and the ability to face the rim and score.  Vice also displayed nice mobility and a soft shooting touch.  This game was tied sixteen times – along with six lead changes, at intermission the Braves were ahead 38-37.  The second half opened with Kishwaukee veering out to a 46-40 margin at the eighteen minute mark.  Also at 14:25 the Kougars maintained a 50-47 lead.  After a seesaw of lead changes, Brandon Vice’s three point play with 2:37 remaining broke a 68-68 tie, put the Braves out-front for good.  Kish is haunted by the same issues most games.  Rob Buss’s young squad hasn’t developed that edge for closing out games yet.  Buss has done a yeoman’s job of keeping his inexperienced troops in striking distance in every game, he actually had Triton and South Suburban beat but couldn’t finish them off due to turn-overs, missed foul shots and just plain old bone-head plays late in games. Freshman guard Brian Richardson had 14 pts, sophomore guard Blake Lowderman had 13 markers for Blackhawk.  Kish had 4 players in double figures led by Jajuan Cosby 16, Malcolm Reed 14, Bryson Butler 11 and Ryan Reeder netted 10.