Illinois camp: Simeon wins, Jones sparkles

The Illinois team camp held at Moody Bible every June is the premier summer basketball event in Chicago. It is stacked with the best players and the best teams. That's what made Curtis Jones' performance so stunning.

Jones, a rising sophomore guard at Orr, turned heads and opened eyes on Monday. His dominant performance against super-talented Young may have elevated him into the top ten of state's 2012 class.

"Jones is a big time scorer," recruiting analyst Joe Henricksen said. "To play like that in this setting is impressive. He's got a confidence and a swagger."

And he wasn't even supposed to be there.

Hyde Park was listed on the advance schedules for the event, but when the Thunderbirds couldn't make it, Orr was the last minute replacement.

"It was a great opportunity," Jones said. "And I always seem to play well against Young. You always know a lot of people will be watching when we play them."

Orr is stocked with promising young players and should be a definite threat next season.

No team made a bigger statement than Simeon. The Wolverines had a down year last season (by their lofty standards), but the rebuilding process may be complete. Simeon defeated Mount Carmel on Tuesday to win the tournament.

"It's big for the kids even though it is a summer event," Simeon coach Robert Smith said. "It will give them some confidence and show them what they can accomplish."

Mount Carmel, led by Illinois recruit Tracy Abrams, has been the most impressive team this spring and summer. The Caravan had beaten Simeon in two other shootouts.

"[Mount Carmel] is very tough," Smith said. "It came down to [Brandon] Spearman. I'm probably biased, but I think he was the best player [at the event]."

Simeon also beat Glenbrook North, New Trier and Farragut on Tuesday.

Monday's much anticipated showdown between Morgan Park and Curie ended with a bit of a scuffle. There is some bad blood between the teams, due to star Wayne Blackshear's transfer from Curie to Morgan Park last season.

As usual, much of the focus was on the three celebrated incoming freshmen: Simeon's Jabari Parker, Young's Tommy Hamilton Jr. and De La Salle's Alex Foster.

All three of them showed flashes of promise. At this point it seems that Parker may be the player most ready to contribute at the varsity level. Due to his size, Hamilton has the most upside. Illinois offered scholarships to the trio during the camp, but it will likely be quite awhile before there is much concrete news on their recruitments.

Here's a quick rundown of some impressions:

Super sophs: Jones, Young's Jermaine Morgan and Simeon's Steve Taylor

Seniors taking it to the next level: Young's Ahmad Starks, Glenbrook North's Alex Dragicevich and Simeon's Brandon Spearman.

Most improved: Keith and Kevin Gray of Brooks

Disappointing team: Waukegan. The Bulldogs were missing some players both days and seemed generally disinterested.

Most unselfish team: Von Steuben. The Panthers don't have any stars, but they play well together.