Head wastes no time, signs with Illini

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Crandall Head may be recovering from knee surgery, but the Rich South senior still has a quick first step.

Head delivered his national Letter of Intent to the University of Illinois’ basketball office bright and early on Wednesday’s signing day.

“About 10 o’clock,” the 6-foot-5 guard said. “I just wanted to get it over with so I could concentrate on my schoolwork.”

Head was among several Southlanders to submit letters of intent Wednesday, though the process was hindered by Veterans Day school closings. Indeed, Illinois held off on a news conference heralding the arrival of its recruiting class — blue-chippers Head, 6-5 forward Jereme Richmond, of Waukegan, and 6-11 center Myers Leonard, of Robinson — until Thursday so Richmond and Leonard could have signing ceremonies at their high schools.

Nonetheless, Richmond and Leonard also filed their letters Wednesday with Illinois.

“We should be a very good team,” Head said. “We’ve just got to build some chemistry with me, Meyers and Jeremy.”

That process should be aided by Head earning, he said, a qualifying ACT score in October on his second crack at the test. Meanwhile, his rehab from Sept. 29 surgery to repair a ligament tear in his right knee has gone well enough for Head to ponder — briefly — playing this winter with the Stars.

“I think I could come back, but I don’t think I will,” he said. “I think I’ll wait it out until college.”

Other Southlanders to sign Wednesday included Crete-Monee basketball players Mario Redmond and Ray Lester, who landed at mid-majors Western Illinois and North Carolina A&T, respectively. Redmond is a 6-6 forward and Lester a 6-6 center.

“I’m very happy for both student-athletes,” Warriors coach Rocky Hill said. “These schools meet their academic and athletic needs totally.”

Hillcrest’s Eric Gaines, a 6-4 guard, signed with Kent State. On the girls side, Marian Catholic announced the signings of four athletes. Valerie Finnin (SIU-Edwardsville) and Emily Kobel (Illinois-Chicago) made basketball commitments, while Natalie Ward (University of St. Francis) signed for softball and Amber Simonton (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) for volleyball.