Composed Neely leads Simeon past Vocational

Simeon’s Jelani Neely delivers a pass against Vocational.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Simeon has had its share of talented point guards go through its program – remember a certain Chicago Bulls rookie played that same position for the Wolverines just a few years back.

So when Simeon coach Robert Smith stated that he expected Jelani Neely to rank someday with the best-ever in school history, he placed the bar infinitely high for the freshman.

On Wednesday in the biggest game of his career, Neely displayed the poise and skill that explained Smith’s optimism. Running the point like a veteran, Neely helped Simeon avenge two previous losses to conference rival Vocational as the Wolverines defeated the Cavaliers 47-40 and advanced to the championship of the Class 4A Hinsdale Central Sectional.

The Wolverines (18-9) will meet Hyde Park on Friday.

“He’s going to be one of the greatest at Simeon,” Smith said of Neely. “He understands the game at a high level. It’s impressive for him as a freshman to come up from the sophomore team and play on varsity.”

Neely’s stats – five points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal – won’t blow anyone away, but it was his composure, especially late in the game, where he showed his worth.

With Simeon ahead 40-35 to start the fourth quarter, the Wolverines started slowing the game down and put the ball in Neely’s hands. He didn’t disappoint as down the stretch Vocational was unable to steal the ball from him and was forced to foul. Neely and company hit five of its last six free throws and iced the win.

With the addition of Neely and three sophomores to the varsity since the end of the regular season, Smith thought his team’s depth was the difference from the first two losses to Vocational (26-6).

That, and the Wolverines were able to contain Vocational star Hollis Hill this time around. After leading his team in scoring the first two match ups, Hill was held to five points on 1-for-8 shooting.

“We tried to do that in the second game,” Smith said.

Jeremy Jones (nine points), Brandon Orange (five points, six rebounds), Brandon Spearman (eight points, six rebounds), Krystal Jackson (eight points, five rebounds) led Simeon. Diontae Palmer (nine points) led Vocational.

Simeon grabbed 29 rebounds, including 13 offensive, while Vocational had 17 boards (three offensive).