High School Semi Finals

High School Semi Finals

Friday at Quest Multi Sport

Simeon vs Morgan Park at 5:00 pm

Kenwood vs Curie at 7:00 pm

“Championship Game Sunday, February 21^st at Chicago State University”

As the season comes to a close several area coaches have done a remarkable job with their respective teams.  Coach of the year honors will be celebrated soon.  Two candidates are immediately identified.  Thornton’s Tai Streets, activated a winning culture immediately for a school/program that has a rich tradition, “the fan base at this once perennial power thinks going downstate yearly is a given”.  Tai should be applauded for the job he’s done in year one.  Fenwick’s Rick Malnati has his over-achieving squad in the thick of things, even though he may face some up-hill challenges as the 3A play-offs loom, but now the Fenwick team has its focus on winning the Catholic League Championship Tournament this Sunday.

Many folks might have missed the posting of Bogan’s stellar lead guard Bryce Barnes committing to Rob Jeter’s University Milwaukee program a month and a half ago,  Bryce had a strong showing in Bogan’s second round loss to Curie, he recorded 20 points & close to double digits in assists.  “He’s going to be terrific in the Horizon League.

Valpo signee Micah Bradford arguably one of the top 10 players in the 2016 class and he has consistently demonstrated just that nightly, broke the school’s record for points at Bradley-Bourbonnais, amassing the fourteen hundred mark last Friday.  “He will connect synergy to that program upon arrival on campus.”

Private league star Marc Taylor tore his Achilles two weeks ago which will shelve him for the remainder of the season, a devastating blow to Francis Parker’s late season hopes.  The 6-7 junior was averaging 25 points/11 boards and erasing 5 shots an outing.  Reportedly Taylor will be out until late June.  That’s a tough blow to him.

Belleville East stand-out junior Javon Pickett returned to action last weekend after injuring his knee a few weeks ago in a game versus a physical East St. Louis ball club.  The Illinois recruit has had a dazzling season thus far.

The state’s No. 1 sophomore Tim Finke of Champaign Central has accounted for 18 points nightly.  The six foot seven performer with a versatile offensive game has drawn his share of critics with the shot attempts he’s hoisted up during most games.  Finke’s dad is in his first year as the head coach replacing state legend Sergio McClain.