INFORMATIVE TRACTION

Mike Robinson’s, In The Paint Production honored former Chicago and NBA players Sonny Parker and Mitchell “JJ” Anderson over the weekend. It was a very special ceremony where open mike forum shared and discussed their individual feats from High School, College, and Pro. It was enlightening occasion with plenty of history regarding Chicago hoop circles.

When the announcement came across the wire that Cleveland State had hired former Whitney Young & Illinois Warrior stand-out Dennis Gates as the new Head Coach, it touched off an out-pour of love and excitement within the Chicago basketball circles. Nicknamed “The Sherriff”, Gates a 1998 graduate was recognized at a young age of being an avid hoop connoisseur who often visualized managing his own program one day. Now thrusted into a challenging role of building the blocks late stream with a program caught in the middle of some unforeseen chaos. Hopefully his administration will exhibit the necessary patience needed for him to see his mission/goals through in lieu of five-six-year window.

One of our state’s top young coaches/leaders Walter Payton’s Quinn Peterson has taken the graduate Assistant position at University of Missouri. We have witnessed up-close the rapid emergence of Peterson the last several years, so this news comes as no surprise. He will be missed and wish him the best as he climbs the coaching ranks. Q. Pete’s Assistant coach at Payton, Phil Gary Jr. will replace him. Gary is another rising star. Look for Lincoln Park’s Pat Gordon to be the next Public Leaguer to move up in the College ranks.

Our hearts around here are heavy upon hearing the passing of former Peoria Manual star, Howard Nathan. At 5 foot 11 Nathan was a stud, confident, & cocky with the uncanny ability to take-over a game. He was selected as a McDonald’s All American and Illinois Mr. Basketball in 1991 when he led Manual to the Class AA State Championship game where they were defeated by Proviso East 68-61. Nathan played his freshmen season at DePaul, he started eight games averaging 7.7 points, 4.2 assists. He played in five games for the Atlanta Hawks in 1995-96. Terrific talent!

Peoria’s favorite son and former Illinois Warrior, A.J. Guyton has returned to his roots, he was recently named Peoria Public School District 150 newly athletic director. A.J., a former star at Peoria High in the mid-1990s, played College hoops at Indiana University for legendary Hall of Fame Coach Bob Knight. Guyton was the recipient of the Big 10 player of the year his senior season. During the 2018-19 campaign, A.J. was Assistant at Loyola-Maryland working for former Providence Catholic & Northwestern stand-out Tavaras Hardy, prior to his stop-out East, he spent a season at Northwestern. I’m sure this was a tough decision for A.J.

Todd Gillespie replaces Townsend Orr at T.F. South, the transition should be smooth. Gillespie who prepped at Hillcrest H.S. had been Orr’s right-hand man the last several seasons, this decision helps continue the necessary tutelage for promising six foot six senior forward Elijah Watson, regarded as a top 75 prospect in the 2020 Class. Galesburg’s long-time head-coach Mike Reynolds departed for DeKalb High School in recent weeks. His decision likely surprised most of the locals.