Productive season at Hillcrest

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:18AM

It has been a productive regular season for Hillcrest.

The Hawks boast an 18-6 mark, which includes at least a share of their 23rd straight conference title. With a few breaks, Hillcrest could be sitting 22-2. The Hawks led with three minutes to go in four of their six losses. Simeon and Benet Academy were the only opponents to handily defeat the Hawks.

Still, Hillcrest coach Don Houston finds value in each of the Hawks' setbacks.

"I enjoy the type of schedule we play," Houston said. "The kids showed great character after the Simeon game and bounced back. We had one bad quarter against Benet. Those are the games that prepare you for the playoffs."

The defending Class 3A state champions open postseason play Tuesday against the winner of Monday's play-in game between Lincoln-Way West and Bremen.

The Hawks and Bremen meet Friday night to cap the regular season. A win and the Hawks win the conference outright.

"We're going to look at Friday's game against Bremen as a potential playoff opponent on Tuesday," Houston said. "Our focus right now is to prepare for the playoffs.

"I think we're ready. We've been getting every team on our schedule's best game. The key to our team is executing and doing the things they've been taught: rebounding, trapping hard and blocking out. If we do those things, we'll be fighting for it (state championship) again."

Another chance

Bloom Township wanted Friday night game against Crete-Monee to have more meaning than just two Top 10 teams squaring off.

The Blazing Trojans wanted a chance to share the Southland Conference with the Warriors. That's precisely what's on the line after Bloom dumped Rich South on Friday and the Warriors handled Rich Central.

"Friday is going to be the game," Bloom coach Jasper Williams said. "The keys for us are shot selection and if we can handle the boards. The last time we played, (Greg) Mays hurt us. We have to limit (Crete-Monee's Jamee) Crockett - you're not going to stop him."

After being told his team pretty much stopped Rich South's Macari Brooks, limiting him to 12 points during Friday's game, Williams cited one big difference between the two DePaul-bound guards.

"Crockett is four inches taller than Macari," he said. "Crete also has a better surrounding cast. We can't slack off on their other shooters."

All in the family

The South Suburban Red Division has been a battle from Day 1.

Richards, with its slate already complete, is guaranteed at least a share of the crown for the sixth straight season.

It's likely coach John Chappetto's club is going to have share the trophy.

If Shepard (at Oak Lawn), Reavis (at Argo) and Eisenhower (at Evergreen Park) all win Friday night, it will result in a four-way tie for the conference title. All four teams would have identical 8-5 records.

Eisenhower had control of the conference after defeating Richards on Feb. 15. The Cardinals, however, scored a season-low 66 points during a six-point loss to the Rams on Friday.

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