Caravan's Hill-Bey stars in prep debut

Mount Carmel’s Tracy Abrams tries to score from the middle of the Lane defense.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Mount Carmel freshman Malcolm Hill-Bey had plenty of reasons to be nervous in high school debut on Monday.

For one, he was starting. If that wasn’t enough, Illinois coach Bruce Weber was in the stands.

But when Hill-Bey took the floor for the first time, none of that fazed him. He hit his first shot and his high school career took off. The 5-foot-8 guard had 12 points, two rebounds, one steal, one block and one assist as Mount Carmel defeated host Lane 63-39 in the opening day of round-robin tournament.

“I’ve watched Tracy [Abrams] and Derrick Rose over the years stay humble,” said Hill-Bey, who had also considered attending Curie. “As long as you stay humble, the game will come to you.”

Abrams, who struggled in his sophomore debut, was impressed by his younger backcourt mate.

“He brings that passion,” Abrams said. “We’ll make a nice combo.”

It wasn’t the best day for Abrams. He had a couple shots blocked, committed a few turnovers, shot 3-of-12 and finished with six points, four assists, three rebounds and a steal.

“I was trying to do too much,” Abrams said. “I have to just let the game come to me. Hopefully tomorrow I’ll do that.”

Weber, who has offered Abrams, stopped by outside Mount Carmel’s locker room afterward and congratulated Caravan coach Mike Flaherty, but left before Abrams emerged. Abrams said there was nothing new in his recruitment.

Billy Clark (11 points, six rebounds), Delino Dear (six points, eight rebounds, two blocks) and Jonathan Gac (four points, six rebounds, two blocks) contributed in the win.

Cameron Hill led Lane with 12 points.