“JUST SAYING”

The college coaches’ carrousel is under way, firings and defections has already started to begin its course. Our state’s flagship school Illinois dropped the latest sting by ousting John Groce after 5 seasons. With their dark cloud, casted over Illini Country, the Groce dismissal didn’t come as a surprise. Now, the 38-year old athletic director Josh Whitman, has the dubious task of finding a replacement that will be conducive to the area and can work effectively in all pockets of our state as well as the Indiana border, and has California ties with the ability to nab a few blue chippers from time to time. Such a daunting scope, this is a huge assignment for any young administrator such as Whitman. I have 2 guys in mind who might fit that description. In fact, they would be armed with 2 heavy duty assistants who would be masterful in recruiting. Stay tuned...

Northwestern has become the areas favorite son. Now on the heels of a historic season with the NCAA Tournament bid in store has the fan base & supporters excited about the first-round match-up versus Vanderbilt housed in Salt Lake City. The state will ride behind the Wildcats who will be our first division I program from our area to make the Tournament in 3 years. Look for some heavy hitting Alums to be on the premises of Salt Lake City. Congratulations Wildcats!

With the IHSA Tournaments in full bloom, we will closely chime in on various happenings across the state and identify notable players & prospects latest tractions.

Chicago Orr won the 2A Class title by gripn’ & grinnin’ the whole way through the venue knocking off Mount Carmel IL 59-39. Congratulations to coach Lou Adams and his team.

“Just saying!” In a Regional Final a week ago, we had the dubious distinction of watching, perhaps the most talented player in Illinois, six foot three Senior Guard Alonzo Verge Jr. His impressive 43-point outing to go along with 11 rebounds pushed his Thornton Squad Past Bloom 81-70. I’m sitting in the bleachers pondering how lethal this kid truly is; he had twenty-three points by half and would have had 50 if he hadn’t started cramping in 4th Quarter. Verge, in his one season at Thornton brought much needed excitement to a once proud program. Verge, who likely will have a Junior College stint, is such a special talent at times he makes plays look so effortless, he has natural instincts you just can’t teach. This kid is a talent we used to cover around here on nightly basis.

I had a pleasure recently of taking in an entertaining Junior College play-off game between Kishwaukee and Prairie State. The Pioneers of Prairie State moved on after defeating the host team 89-84 in a thrilling finish. The Pioneers had 4 players in double figures led by Guard Dwayne McNutts 28. He was splendid going 10-12 from the field, his back-court mate Todd Smith tallied 23, while all-league forward Desmond Trapp (Hillcrest) settled for 18. Kish’s Point-Guard Bryson Butler maneuvered around defenders sliced his way to a 29 point 11 assist, 9 rebound output, while closing out a terrific season for the Kougars. The six foot one Lincoln Park Grad has propelled his status as a Low-Mid Division One recruit. Butler’s floor game has really flourished, his much improved three-point shooting has made him a surgical offensive threat. We catalog him as a budding stand-out at the next level. Butler was named first team all-conference last week.

Bloom’s 6-5 Senior Forward Austin Richie was impressive in his team’s season ending lost to Thornton in which he poured in 36 points. The Marian Catholic transfer has added a post-up game to his respected perimeter shooting. Richie, signed or committed to Division Two St. Cloud State. I’m sure the emotional anxiety of recruiting played a huge part in him making a decision after the November signing period. Richie, could be successful at NIU*EIU*CHGO ST.*SIU-E. “Just saying!”