PUBLIC AFFAIRS

CURIE 65 – MORGAN PARK 60
(At Chicago State-Sunday-Feb 17)

With City bragging rights at stake, both teams came out of the tunnel at the south-side arena dialed-in and ready with a visual chip on their shoulders. Junior Justin Harmon’s three-point play with twenty plus seconds remaining pretty much sealed the victory and city title for Curie, who fought from behind majority of the game. Strong play from Dajuan Gordon, a six-foot four Kansas State Signee, was magnificent throughout the contest finishing with a game high twenty-eight points, Gordon made every huge play imaginable at both ends of the floor. In fact, his game was a familiar symbol of what Chicago hoopers often looked like! “Flat-out just ballin, an all business approach.” (No in-game chatter or celebratory theatrics). Gordon debatably could be the city’s top player this season, he demonstrated why he is on the Public Leagues largest platform; now Morgan Park’s junior sharp shooter Adam Miller is no slouch, the Peoria Manual transfer cemented his status as a top national acclaim prospect and the No.1 junior in Illinois. Miller’s remarkable display of shooting while under-duress was impressive. He tallied 23 points in a tough loss; Morgan Park was saddled with 21 turn-overs and managed to hold a half time cushion of 38-31; despite of a few questionable calls, the game was well played. Curie’s junior swingman Ramean Hinton recorded 14 points and six rebounds. Sturdy senior point-guard Trevon Hamilton (7pts) was terrific. He made several huge plays down the stretch that ultimately changed the complexion of the game.

“Most intuitive observers often anticipate a scrape or altercation/confrontation between teams/fans/officials after most city ball games, well its business as usual as CPS security and Chicago State Police had to step in to calm down & manage some unhappy spectators. Oh, we love Chicago hoops!”

Saturday night we took in an awfully quiet contest between Geneva-Hampshire. Geez, I couldn’t take my lens off of Geneva’s dynamite point-guard Jack McDonald. “This kid is surgical, his pace, precision and uncanny ability to distribute pin-point passes to his mate’s off the dribble is astonishing. McDonald listed at 5-foot 11 is one of the five best players we’ve observed all season, he’s oiled in that certain hooper mystique. “Ivy League/Patriot Leaguers you might have missed one here.”

It could be time for high-majors to take a closer look at Simeon’s slender scorer Antonio Reeves. The 6-4 senior has poured in over 25 points per game the last month or so, Wisconsin & DePaul has started to take on a more serious approach with the young fella. He could be a unheralded gem in the right system at the next level.