HOLIDAY WRAP-UPS

• Pontiac – Curie defeated Bloom in the final 58-44. Kansas State’s recruit Dajuan Gordon captured the MVP Honors. This continues to be our top Holiday Tournament attraction. Caleb Donaldson, a six-foot four wing from Bloomington, had some eye-popping moments/plays, the rising un-signed senior has certainly raised his stock. Simeon’s un-signed senior Antonio Reeves re-affirmed he’s a real hooper with instinctive abilities to excel.

• Hinsdale – Marian Catholic knocked off south-suburban neighbor Homewood-Flossmoor in the title game. Marian’s junior guard Ahron Ullis was named MVP. Oswego East’s guard Ray J. Dennis was terrific in several games averaging 24.5 in 4 games. This west-suburban event is becoming a good destination.

• York Jack Tosh – The host team York earned the title with a suspenseful final, surviving Downers Grove South 55-52. York’s junior Nate Shockey toughed it out on bum ankle, tallied 17 pts. Wesley Hooker and Justin Eagin had impressive moments, the senior tandem made All-Tournament. Sophomore sensation Max Christie performed here, drawing a wave of spectators to witness his talented floor game.

• Proviso West – Bogan beat Whitney Young in the final. Young’s D.J. Stewart was terrific averaging 24 points in 4 games. Bogan’s Rashaun Agee, registered 19 points & 17 rebounds, was selected All-Tourney. Fenwick’s hot-shot high-scoring sophomore Bryce Hopkins averaged an eye-opening 29 points.

• Centralia – Belleville West rallied to bounce rival Alton in the title game 62-57 capturing back to back championships. The State’s No. 1 player E.J. Liddle was named Tournament’s MVP, the Ohio State recruit recorded 77 points, 32 rebounds, & 10 blocks. Senior guard Lawrence Brazil played well. He scored seventy points & was an All-Tourney selection. Alton’s senior pair Donovan Clay and Malik Smith played well & were named All-Tourney picks. The Maroons are now 16-0 after beating a very good St. Louis Vashon’s Team 77-72 at the Highland Shoot-out over the weekend. They look to be path to repeat as 4A State Champs.

• Big Dipper – Morgan Park ran past Farragut 82-60. Junior Adam Miller lit up defenders setting a Tournament scoring record with 133 points in 4 games.

• Wheeling Hardwood Classic – Geneva beat Fremd, a solid well coached squad in the title game. Geneva off to a 13-0 start and was spearheaded by un-song senior general Jack McDonald. He was named MVP averaging 16 points & 5 assists in 4 games.

• Pekin – Moline outlasted United Township in the finale. Six-foot three un-signed senior Deonte Billups played well throughout the Tournament, recording a 22.5, 10 rebounds per outing in 4 games. Billups was selected MVP and is a player to watch this season.

• Collinsville – Springfield South-East needed some late game heroics to defeat host Collinsville 65-62 in the final. Junior James Dent drilled a 21 foot 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds remaining. Chicago St. recruit Terrion Murdix garned MVP honors. East St. Louis All-Tournament forward Terrence Hargrove, a St. Louis U. recruit, had a dunk-fest in several outings. The Rockford’s trio of junior Sincere Parker, seniors Chris Purnell and Shaden Clanton, represented themselves well at the event.