High School Sports RSS: Boys Basketball

St. Edward, Westminster Christian post season-opening wins

By Gene Chamberlain For the Courier-News — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

ELGIN -- Both St. Edward and Westminster Christian got their seasons off to slow starts Monday night by going too fast.

Tillman sets tone for Hillcrest

BY STEVE MILLAR -- FOR THE SOUTHTOWN STAR — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Darren Tillman scored 25 points and grabbed six rebounds as No. 18 Hillcrest rolled by Marian Catholic 73-42 Monday in a pool-play opener of the Chicago Heights Classic at Bloom.

All's Wells for Hales vs. Proviso West

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YourSeason.com Editor — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Dominique Wells scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead No. 19 Hales past Proviso West 82-70 Monday in the first round of the St. Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament.

Boatright's all right for Tomcats

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YourSeason.com Editor — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Ryan Boatwright had 29 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and four steals to lead No. 12 East Aurora past No. 10 St. Joseph 79-74 Monday at the St. Charles East Thanksgiving Tournament.

Huskies' tinkering pays off with win

BY PATRICK MOONEY pmooney@scn1.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Naperville North gave new coach Jeff Powers a win in his first game, 72-52 over Marmion on Monday night in the Hoops For Healing Tournament.

Monday's boys basketball roundup

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Scores and highlights from Monday's boys basketball action.

Mustangs survive opening-night scare

By DARREN DAY DDAY@scn1.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

A big opening-night crowd and high expectations greeted Mundelein High's boys basketball team when it took to the floor on Monday night against Grayslake Central on the first night of the Mustangs' Thanksgiving tournament. Mundelein didn't always live up to the hype, but the Mustangs were able to escape with a victory over a pesky Rams squad.

Slow start can't stop Oswego

BY JIM OWCZARSKI jowczarski@scn1.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Oswego fell behind by 10 points early, but roared back to beat Waubonsie Valley Monday night in the Hoops for Healing Tournament in Oswego.

Plainfield S. puts pedal to the metal

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

This was not the way Jeremy Izzo's debut as the Joliet Catholic Academy boys basketball coach was supposed to go. The game plan was to get back on defense and force lightning-quick Plainfield South to settle for jump shots. Instead, the opposite. The Cougars, who press all the way to create offensive opportunities, got the ball inside time after time to score a 70-61 victory Monday night.

Lenzelle out, but Z-B still looks strong

BY BRYAN BONATO SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-SUN — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

CHICAGO -- The second-most important thing you need to know about Zion-Benton High's season opener here Monday in the Lane Tech holiday boys basketball tournament is that Ohio State-bound Lenzelle Smith did not play because of an ankle injury.

Childs guides Storm to victory

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

BENSENVILLE -- South Elgin showed poise beyond its years in its season opener Monday.

Spotlight to shine on East Aurora

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

East Aurora is scheduled to play in four shootouts this season, and junior point guard Ryan Boatright is a big reason for the Tomcats' popularity.

All you need to know about Waukegan

BY JEFF BONATO jbonato@scn1.com — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Jeff Bonato: It's been 247 days since Waukegan's bid for the 2009 Class 4A state championship ended in a shoulda/woulda/coulda loss to Young in the final game of the season.

A closer look at Michael O'Brien's Super 25

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YOURSEASON.COM EDITOR — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Boys basketball preview: Young is a worthy preseason top-ranked team. The Dolphins roster is loaded with talent, and they are the defending state champions. But they are not the story of this season.

Public League Red-West preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Red-West.

20 Questions: A look at the boys hoops season

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YOURSEASON.COM EDITOR — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Boys basketball preview: Who is the best player in the Chicago area? Is it Waukegan's Jereme Richmond? Who is the best team? Will Young repeat? Here's a primer on the upcoming season.

Public League Red-South preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Red-South.

Sun-Times' Top 50 boys basketball players

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

There are plenty of Division I players in the Chicago area this season, including Mount Carmel's Tracy Abrams, St. Ignatius' Nnanna Egwu and Waukegan's Jereme Richmond. All three committed to Illinois.

Public League Red-Central preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Red-Central.

Public League Red-North preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Red-North.

Boatright's back (and better) for Tomcats

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Ryan Boatright, who averaged 17.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season for East Aurora, has improved significantly. according to Tomcats coach Wendell Jeffries.

Catholic League preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Catholic League.

East Suburban Catholic Conference preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Central Suburban League South preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Central Suburban League South.

Central Suburban League North preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Central Suburban League North.

Southwest Suburban Red preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Southwest Suburban Red.

Southwest Suburban Blue preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Southwest Suburban Blue.

West Suburban Gold preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the West Suburban Gold.

West Suburban Silver preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the West Suburban Silver.

Upstate Eight preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Upstate Eight.

DuPage Valley preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the DuPage Valley.

Mid-Suburban League East preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Mid-Suburban League East.

Mid-Suburban League West preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Mid-Suburban League West.

Western Sun preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Western Sun.

South Suburban Blue preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the South Suburban Blue.

South Suburban Red preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the South Suburban Red.

Southland preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Southland Conference.

Fox Valley Fox preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Fox Valley Fox.

Fox Valley Valley preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Fox Valley Valley.

Southwest Prairie preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Southwest Prairie.

Public League Blue-Central preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Blue-Central.

Public League Blue-North preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Blue-North.

Public League Blue-South preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Blue-South.

Public League Blue-West preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Public League Blue-West.

North Suburban Lake preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the North Suburban Lake.

North Suburban Prairie preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the North Suburban Prarie.

Chicago Prep preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Chicago Prep.

Independent School League preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Independent School League.

Interstate Eight preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Interstate Eight.

Metro Prep preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Metro Prep.

Metro Suburban preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Metro Suburban.

Noble Sports Conference preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Noble Sports Conference.

Northeastern Athletic Conference preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Northeastern Athletic Conference preview.

Suburban Christian Blue preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Suburban Christian Blue.

Suburban Christian Gold preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the Suburban Christian Gold.

Independent schools preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Breaking down the independent schools.

Starks looks to lead West Aurora

BY RICK ARMSTRONG -- BEACON-NEWS — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00 CST

Talk about West Aurora basketball this season has to start -- but won't end -- with sophomore Juwan Starks. Last season, Starks became just the second player to ever make the DuPage Valley all-conference team, putting himself in good company.

No doubt about it: Young's No. 1

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YourSeason.com Editor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

After erasing any lingering doubts about its ability to deliver in crunch time by winning the Class 4A title last March, Young is the Sun-Times' preseason No. 1 in boys basketball.

Local teams to tip off at USF

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

First-year JCA boys basketball coach Jeremy Izzo, Providence's Greg Smith and four other area coaches are busy preparing their teams for the 14th annual WJOL Thanksgiving Classic at the University of St. Francis Recreation Center.

Michael O'Brien's boys basketball Super 25

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Young and Waukegan finished 1-2 in the final Sun-Times boys basketball rankings for 2008-09 and they occupy the same spots in this year's preseason Super 25.

Smith picks Marquette

BY SCOTT PHILLIPS — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:00 CST

Thornton guard Reggie Smith ended his recruitment today as he committed and signed a letter of intent to play for Marquette.

Warriors hope arrow is pointing up

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

The 2008-09 Waubonsie Valley Warriors finished with a loss to Plainfield North in a regional semifinal, which dropped their overall record to 14-14. That was after wrapping up the Upstate Eight Conference season with a 5-5 mark.

Change in the air this season

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Neuqua Valley senior Dwayne Evans is looking forward to playing small forward, like he will in the Atlantic 10. The 6-foot-5-inch Saint Louis University recruit will be facing the basket more and won't have to inbound the ball after a make, allowing him to run the floor.

Hinkle nets Hall of Fame recognition

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:01 CST

Jim Hinkle's longtime dedication to coaching basketball is about to get some well-deserved recognition. Hinkle was voted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Sunday after 35 years as a head coach at six different schools. He'll be inducted with the 2010 class in April.

Depth, size plentiful at Marmion

BY JIM OWCZARSKI jowczarski@scn1.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Marmion's boys basketball team is dealing with some illness and injury issues at the start of the season, but has depth and size to spare.

Maine East loses McKinney, Nader

BY MATT HARNESS mharness@pioneerlocal.com — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Senior Charles McKinney and junior Abdul Nader, who played for Maine East last season and in the summer, have left the team, coach Huey Crawford confirmed.

Batavia has 'big' plans for season

BY JIM OWCZARSKI jowczarski@scn1.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

With 10 players standing 6-foot-3 or taller, Batavia is hoping its size will prove to be a big advantage this boys basketball season.

Maine South's Schlitter out for season

BY MATT HARNESS mharness@pioneerlocal.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Maine South senior Kevin Schlitter, the Hawks' top scorer and rebounder last year, will miss the entire season after tearing his left ACL in a fall league game earlier this month.

Geneva not lacking for potential

BY JIM OWCZARSKI jowczarski@scn1.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Despite losing all five starters from last year's Western Sun co-champs, Geneva has the potential to be even better this season, according to coach Phil Ralston.

Lots of new faces at Plano

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

With significant turnover from last year's 13-16 team, Plano is facing a "transition year," according to coach Brett Moore.

Sandwich eyes major improvement

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

With five senior starters and some juniors who won 20 games and a conference title on the sophomore level last year, Sandwich is looking to show great improvement on last season's 2-22 finish.

New Kaneland coach builds around centerpiece

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Now it begins for new Kaneland coach Brian Johnson. "This is something I've looked forward to and thought about doing since I was in college," the 30-year-old Elgin native and Judson College product said as he wound up his first week of practice.

What is the legacy of Ben Wilson?

BY TAYLOR BELL — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Remembering Ben Wilson: Twenty-five years after Simeon star Ben Wilson was shot and killed, those in the know say city schools are dealing with the same problems � nothing has changed.

Simeon retires famous No. 25

BY CLYDE TRAVIS — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Many famous basketball players have worn No. 25 for Simeon, but Ben Wilson was the first. Simeon retired the number Saturday in a ceremony at the school.

Harris will get help at Oswego East

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Division I prospect Jay Harris is Oswego East's top basketball player, but coach Jason Buckley doesn't think his star guard will have to win games by himself.

Super Bowl winner Griffith determined to help

BY TAYLOR BELL — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Howard Griffith never met Ben Wilson. But like every kid who grew up in Chicago during the mid-1980s, he was well aware of the Simeon basketball star�s growing legend.

Oswego eyes another long playoff run

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Oswego heads into another boys basketball season determined to prove last year's run to the Class 3A state championship game wasn't a fluke.

Blackshear eligible at Morgan Park

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN AND STEVE TUCKER — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

According to Public League Sports Director Calvin Davis, Wayne Blackshear will be eligible to play basketball this season at Morgan Park. Blackshear, one of the best players in the country, transferred from Curie to Morgan Park last season.

Richmond sprains ankle at practice

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN mobrien@chicagosuntimes.com — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

It's not as bad as it looked. But in a scene out of Illinois coach Bruce Weber's nightmares, Waukegan senior Jereme Richmond was on crutches at his letter-of-intent signing ceremony Thursday at Waukegan.

Everybody just relax

By DAVE MASTERSON dmasterson@scn1.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:00 CST

Jereme Richmond has already set off fireworks with the most historic basketball shot in county history. His alleged "hanging-on-the-rim" flagrant technical foul was a front-and-center situation that threatened to derail a Waukegan Bulldogs run for a state title before it even began.

Public League scores big on signing day

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN mobrien@suntimes.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Signing day has arrived and it was a big day for the Public League, with four players signing from Foreman and three from Young.

Richmond's signing a coup for Weber

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN -- YourSeason.com Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Illinois men's basketball coach Bruce Weber, who took heat for missing out on some prime in-state recruits in the past, gained some vindication on Wednesday when he signed a celebrated class topped by Waukegan's Jereme Richmond.

Local class of 2010 signees

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Twenty-five senior boys basketball players signed national letters of intent with Division I schools Wednesday. Here's a list of where they are headed.

Head wastes no time, signs with Illini

BY PHIL ARVIA parvia@southtownstar.com — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Rich South guard Crandall Head wasted no time in returning his national letter of intent to Illinois' basketball office as the signing period opened on Wednesday morning.

Big Ten targets Lake County stars

NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Four Lake County boys basketball stars signed with Big Ten teams on Wednesday: Waukegan's Jereme Richmond (Illinois), Zion-Benton's Lenzelle Smith (Ohio State), Mundelein's Ben Brust (Iowa) and Deerfield's Duje Dukan (Wisconsin).

Signing day comes with little fanfare

BY PATRICK MOONEY pmooney@scn1.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Patrick Mooney: In case you missed it, the college basketball season tipped off with North Carolina trying to defend its national title and Isiah Thomas hoping to restore his reputation at Florida International.

New season comes with new faces

BY ERIK JACOBSEN ejacobsen@scn1.com — Mon, 9 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Erik Jacobsen: It wasn�t exactly business as usual for several area boys basketball teams as practices tipped off all around the state Monday.

Glenbrook North loses Merrigan

BY GEORGE M. WILCOX gwilcox@pioneerlocal.com — Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00 CST

Glenbrook North suffered a blow on the first day of boys basketball practice when senior guard Matt Merrigan injured his left knee.

Kaneland's Dudzinski picks Holy Cross

BY RICK ARMSTRONG rarmstrong@scn1.com — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

David Dudzinski has decided to expand his horizons and head east. The Kaneland senior said Tuesday he has chosen Holy Cross over Loyola of Chicago in announcing his verbal commitment to the Patriot League school, which is located in Worcester, Mass., a suburb of Boston.

Huskies' Hasse picks Austin Peay

BY PATRICK MOONEY pmooney@scn1.com — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 18:00 CST

Naperville North center Matt Hasse will continue his basketball career at Austin Peay after giving a verbal commitment to the Ohio Valley Conference school on Monday.

Foreman's McCall commits to Saint Louis

BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN mobrien@chicagosuntimes.com — Sat, 3 Oct 2009 00:00 CST

Foreman guard Mike McCall gave an oral commitment to Saint Louis on Saturday. McCall, a 6-2 senior, chose St. Louis over Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Texas A&M, Washington State and Wichita State.

Dyett basketball player fatally shot by off-duty officer

BY ART GOLAB agolab@suntimes.com — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:00 CST

An off-duty Chicago police officer fatally shot a 17-year-old boy who was the captain of his high school basketball team. Chicago police said that the teen - who his family identified as Corey Harris, a junior at Dyett - was killed after the officer saw him shooting at another person at 69th and King Drive Friday afternoon.

Dragicevich adds another offer

BY SCOTT POWERS — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:00 CST

Glenbrook North rising senior Alex Dragicevich put up 28 points in one game at the Adidas Super 64 and followed it up with a triple-double later. His effort ended with another scholarship offer.