Catholic League Tournament Championship Game

Catholic League Tournament Championship Game

Fenwick 73 – St. Joseph 51

(Sat, Feb 20^th at DePaul University)

Senior guard Mike Smith’s 27 points propelled Fenwick to the Catholic league tournament title, at the McGrath-Phillips Arena on DePaul’s Northside campus.  A great crowd, many loyal supporters of the Catholic league’s tradition, saw Fenwick cap off an extraordinary evening.  Fenwick, rated the number two team in the area, landed accolades by completing a sweep of titles at all levels; sophomore team and freshman group finished 9-0.  The Friar’s a scrappy club, ran out early on the St. Joe’s team with an 8-0 start then extended leads to 18-8 & 28-8.  Astonishingly St. Joes did not play as poorly as the score indicated, despite being down double digits most of the game.  They merely couldn’t get on-track early, due to their inability to make shots, but they competed and battled to the end and that could be contributed to long-time legendary coach Gene Pingatore’s principles.  I marvel at his accomplishments and how he still commands his sidelines.  Fenwick is a well-oiled group, they run variations of the Princeton offense effectively and when they aren’t executing their sets most times the Friars are streaking up the floor in transition.  It was 38-21 by intermission in the not-so-thrilling finish, so I obviously put my lens on sizing-up some key players on the floor and where their potential growth as young players could cart them.  Point-guard Mike Smith might be the best unsigned senior in the state, he possess that uncanny ability to dissect opponents, he understands pace & climate and Smith activates his play in big moments.  Now Mr. Nick Rakocevic is a colorful character, he’s the high-school hoops version of tennis star John McEnroe.  The 6-9 enigma has some work to do, to his credit, he battled all night, 21 points & 12 rebounds, but he was a chilling 9-17 from the foul line.  Freshman point-guard Marquise Walker (12) looks like a gem, he’s a confident gamer and innovative.  Fenwick cruised in this match-up of Western suburban foes.  Smith’s back-court mate senior Quinn Fisher was superb, he tallied 14 and junior Jacob Keller had 11.  The guy who stole the show was 6-7 senior heart-throb Charlie Boyle, a little used reserve “who I have lobbied for more playing time in recent weeks finished with 9 markers in a spirited showing.  Roosevelt University, Illinois Benedictine should be all over him. 

Top Back-Court Players in 2018 Class

Top Back-Court Players in 2018 Class

Chicago once historically noted for producing stand-out play-makers, facilitators who were knowledgeable leaders and knew how to guide their team to a big game platform.  The area may be reaffirming its status again with the marvelous cast of 10-12 prospects who could become major contributors at the college level.  If these youngsters continue to hone their skills and limit some of the Instagraming, You-Tubing and other social media bolstering while focusing more on growth & alignment, we could have an abundance of talent on-hand in the 2018 & 19 classes that would draw the likes of Tennessee, Kansas, California, NC State, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Florida State, Indiana, Georgetown, and Duke flooding our area again.  Now we will take the opportunity to identify some of these guys.

Ayo Dosunmu   6-3  PG          Chicago Morgan Park

“Vastly improved from a year ago and he’s grown some inches, a confident gamer, plays at a good pace, his big game experience at MP has helped him understand climate; Oklahoma and several other high-majors love his potential and he could be a double-double guy nightly.”

Darius Beane  6-3  G           Carbondale

He’s a scoring guard right now, who will eventually be slotted as a lead creator.  One of our state’s prized young players, he is masterfully skilled and his future could put him in Lawrence, Kansas or somewhere in that atmosphere.

Talen Horton-Tucker 6-4         G  Chicago Simeon

He’s already equipped with a superb offensive package, a modern day high-scoring Louis Lloyd.  A big body combo who will be courted heavily by the likes of the Big 10 brass.  A rising stand-out; top 5 in the class.

Chase Adams   5-6  PG          Marian Catholic

Starting to sync into his own abilities, not living through everyone’s expectations now; a clever/shrewd general who has also improved his open-court acceleration.  He’s a knock-down shooter with three-ball range.  Chase will operate somewhere in an up n down setting collegiately.

Marquan “Bay Bay” Williams      5-8    PG     Perspective MSA

Recently picked-up all city notoriety, resembles a steady stream of play-makers once fashioned out of Chicago.  “Bay Bay” plays at a good pace and knowledgeable of climate with his leadership intangibles; our local colleges should persuade him to stay put.  Valley, MAC, Horizon, A10.

Brandon Hurt  6-0  G    Marian Catholic

“This kid has the makings of a scoring lead guard, a confident gamer who can get in the lanes and finish plays or create for his mates.  Hurt can be lethal at times off-the-dribble.  Perimeter shooting rapidly rising!  One to watch.”

Allonte Pickens    5-9  PG  Chicago Curie

“Lil fellow got mad game, in fact he knows how to activate his play in big game settings.  Excellent speed and quickness, He’s an innovator for his mates and reliable shooter on the perimeter.  Capable of being suffocating on defense.”  We possible Horizon, MAC or OVC in his future.

Andrew Anderson    5-10 PG  Chicago Hyde Park

“Not many outside the city are familiar with this talented lad.  Drew has the rock on a string and rarely turns-it-over, has those knowledgeable traits during the course of a game that special players possess.  A capable scorer in a variety of ways.”  I can envision him captivating audiences in the Valley or A10.

Xavier Castenada   5-11 PG  Whitney Young

A gamer who knows how to utilize a platform, but has a tendency that some young players seem to unravel, looking to do too much.  Through some current growing points, he’s learned to simplify his game.  “X is a nice talent!”

Amir Brummet  5-11 PG   Decatur MacArthur

He’s starting to carve out some recognition for himself.  At times the ball is glued in his hands, while he’s dancing and appeasing his Central Illinois audience.  Amir is a good look’n prospect skilled smooth, starting to grasp an understanding of big-game settings.  Still unproven though.  His time is coming!

Kevin Caldwell 5-11 PG   Alton

Widely considered one of our state’s top gifted athletes.  “Big time football player.”  Kevin is a special athlete in hoops as well, he’s lightening quick and capable of jumping over the top of opponents.  Shrewd general, has struggled shooting from the field thus far.  Plays on a talented team.  NFL could be in his future.

Cameron Donatian   6-3  G   West Aurora

We missed him at Elgin this week.  He’s a strong tough-minded competitor who’s starting to draw waves from his play in the Western Suburban area.  Already a reliable shooter on the perimeter.  Cameron is already one of the leaders on his team, just being a 2^nd letterman.

Kaleb Thornton 5-9  PG   Nazareth

Has had a relatively quiet sophomore campaign, but my lens gave me a view of his potential I won’t forget.  Unselfish, attacks the lanes well, has deft quickness & speed.  Jury still out with what setting he may fall under.

Top 2016 Prospects Available

Top 2016 Prospects Available

“As we stream along we’re going to actively keep things real”, we (our state) has mid-major prospects still on-hand, leagues such as Ivy, Patriot, Valley, MAC, Horizon, OVC, A10, WAC, Conference USA can’t leave out the Summit – “who could land one of our notable 10-12 and the kid becomes a heart throb on campus”.  St. Joseph 6-9 face-up forward Nick Rakocevic has a few high-majors checking his portfolio regularly, but some nights his play resembles a prospect suited for Horizon or MAC conference setting.  Lorenzo Edwards a good lookin 6-7 forward, competitive with a spirited demeanor has a slew of quality mid-majors to select from by season’s end.  Kenwood’s Nick Robinson has an upcoming platform where the 6-5 swingman can demonstrate some selling points to where his game can be viewed from.  P.L. semi-finals await.  Fenwick point guard Mike Smith has put together a memorable season, the four year starter has his team primed to capture the Catholic League Tournament this weekend, as well as making a legitimate run at a 3A state tourney berth.  Smith could really thrive in a system type setting, he’s very knowledgeable of the game, his play sells that point.  Vanderbilt was in recently, Ivy Leagues and high academic schools have made their visits.  George Wilbourn from De LaSalle has a chance to really be good at the next level, especially if he descends into the right climate.  The 6-3 athlete had 23 in a loss to Mount-Carmel on Tuesday.  James Madison was in recently for a viewing.  Willbourn has been banged-up the last several weeks, but is still effective.  Farragut’s blossoming combo guard Dulan Scott has been daunting of late.  The 6-2 punisher has ripped through defenders all season and he’s equipped to mask as a defensive stopper at his next destination.  “So much for miscellaneous dudes questioning my evals this summer which we had Scott pegged as a top 25-30 recruit in the 2016 class!”  WAC, MAC, Horizon, A10 and Conference USA need to see him.  Zion Morgan, Kenwood’s 6-1 combo has been mostly steady for one of the areas darling programs.  With Valpo still in the rearview mirror, his play this weekend in the P.L. semis could determine what’s a suitable casting for his services.  Horizon, MAC, Summit, OVC, WAC, “could be a match”.  When he’s plugged in and activated, Leo’s forward Darias Oliver is capable of being one of the better scorers in the area.  He possess sneaky athleticism, “yes, he shoots the three ball with accuracy most nights”.  Texas El-Paso is intrigued.  Plainfield North’s 6-6 Kevin Kreiger averages close to 19 markers an outing, he’s a good athlete but often not activated enough during stretches of a game.  “Good lookin prospect, enough to roll the dice on him in an OVC, Summit, MAC setting.”  Illinois State was in recently in to view him, Wisconsin has inquired.  Springfield Lanphier’s “lil fellow” Xavier Bishop has been putting-up mad numbers.  He dropped 50 one night a few weeks ago in the City Tournament, he’s on pace to set some scoring marks at a school/program that has produced some pros, namely Andre Iguodala and Kevin Gamble and Richard McBride.  UMKC reaffirmed their interest by laying another offer on the table recently.  Peoria High’s slitherly combo guard Deshaun Jackson has mostly performed in obscurity outside of playing in the Pekin Holiday venue, where he was named to the all-tourney team, Jackson is 6-3, skilled, versatile enough to play a variety of roles offensively and defensively.  “He’s a sleeper; OVC, MAC, Summit should pursue.  Hyde Park’s 6-6 forward Tajuan Agee has the all-around package, but also he’s a prime candidate for a red-shirt situation.  He needs to become knowledgeable of situations and lacks the necessary strength.  A year of polish would activate his entire game.  Right now not connected or aligned enough.  Miles Howard a 6-7 forward at Marion Catholic is intriguing, he’s a fine passer, runs the floor well; Patriot League could be his calling card.  He’s a player that we will continue to watch these upcoming weeks.