TURKEY ROUND-UP’S

In Dekalb:  Sophomore DiKembe Dixson’s 31 points wasn’t enough as the UIC Flames fell to Northern Illinois 92-81.  In the NIU Thanksgiving Classic; The winner’s had four player’s in double digits, Aaric Armstead was the high man with 21, while Freshman Eugene German tallied 17, Marin Maric registered 16 points. There is always excitement when our state colleges lace em up and go head to head, that’s why this up-coming weekend’s match-up between my favorites DePaul and Northwestern should be a gasping affair.  We’d love to see an Illinois/DePaul match-up or NIU versus Loyola-Chicago.  The UIC/Eastern Illinois contest on Sunday, Dec 4th should be entertaining. The Flames, Dixson recorded his third thirty point plus outing of the season, you see NBA personnel at every UIC ball game.

In Malta: Bryson Butler’s 17 points, 14 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals propelled Kishwaukee College to a 91-87 victory over Olive Harvey Saturday afternoon in a JUCO contest. Kish’s little used reserve Javaris Ware’s steal with 5 seconds left sealed the win Malcolm Reed tallied 18 points for Kish and guard Koko Sonbolo netted 19 marker’s for Kishwaukee. Olive Harvey received 19 points from Tyrone Hilson.  This was a hard fought affair with both teams exchanging leads throughout the second half.

In Arlington Heights:  On left over day the Evanston/Conant match-up was billed as a “early season must see” game, but Conant couldn’t muster enough weapons to counter Evanston’s wave of athlete’s. The Wildkit’s outlasted Conant 44-29.Nojel Eastern had 15 points and Sophomore Lance Jones chipped in with 13. The Courgar’s prized guard

Jimmy Sotos, a Bucknell signee, finished with a game high 22 points. He sparkled during Conant’s light surge in the 2nd half.  Evanston’s unsigned Senior Elyjah Williams was impressive, Ivy League and Patriot League schools should pursue him persistently.

Oak Lawn’s high scoring Senior guard Rashad Johnson was one of many players whom made a splash during the opening week of high school hoops.  Johnson recorded 52 points in an outing last week.  He is one of the Top un-signed Seniors in the state. Bolingbrook with it’s loaded line-up of talent had an impressive showing a the Decatur Soy Classic.

Won the Title by clubbing Decatur Eisenhower in the final. They did run across a really good Springfield Southeast squad in the opening game, outlasting them 63-56. Nana Akenten dropped 18 and Kaleb Thornton had 13 and Malik Binns 10, Southeast guard

Trevyon Williams managed 18 points. He went for 25 on Thornton. Six Foot Four

Sophomore Anthony Fairlee from Southeast had 17 versus Bolingbrook.

At the Rockford Tip-Off Classic, Jalen Shaw a 6’9” Junior from Elgin Larkin was named First Team All-Tournament.  He had 31 points in one game. Shaw, is a player to watch in the 2018 Class. Sophomore whiz Chris Burnell out of Rockford East demonstrated throughout the event why he is considered a Top 5 talent in the 2019 Class.  Jefferson’s

6’1” combo guard Quillin Dixon shot the ball well late in games.  He also is a Junior.

Several Freshmen captivated everyone’s attention down in Southern Illinois opening week. Long-time observer’s raved about Duquoin’s 6’6” Forward Lamontay Daughtery, who some consider Top 5 in our state’s 2020 Class, Marion’s 6’5” athletic, Jackson Conners and Mount Vernon’s 6’2” guard Amir Span; while Carbondale’s 6’4” wing James Baltz created some buzz for himself; we will follow these guys closely!  Peoria Richwood 6’5” Junior Dallas Bryson was terrific, capturing Tournament MVP at the LaSalle Peru Holiday Tourney. Bryson is on his way to being a special player.