Joe Henricksen: City/Suburban Hoops Report

Updated: January 5, 2012 7:33PM

City: Stingy Wolves

Last season with 6-foot-10 Illinois recruit Nnanna Egwu as a defensive security blanket, just four teams scored 60 or more points against St. Ignatius the entire season. This season, the surprising 11-1 Wolfpack are back at it, allowing 60-plus points in a game just once. Coach Rich Kehoe’s team, which drops down this year from Class 4A to 3A and is in a very winnable sectional, defeated Downers Grove South and De La Salle to win the York Tournament title. The Wolfpack are more efficient offensively than a year ago with the backcourt of Jack Crepeau and Brian Howard.

South: Blazing Start

Though the McDipper Tournament at Rich South was not as star-filled as past years — perennial McDipper threats Thornton, Hales and Leo were a combined 16-20 heading into January — it shouldn’t take anything away from Bloom’s first title since 1995 or the start the Blazing Trojans are off to. A potential blockbuster title-game matchup with Seton didn’t materialize, but Bloom has been the most consistent and impressive team in the south suburbs. Led by senior point guard Donald Moore, Bloom has a couple of ingredients that can’t be coached — chemistry and intangibles.

WEST: Hot Hilltoppers

Last season’s two regional upset victories as a No. 21 seed may have been fairly insignificant to basketball fans, but it may have been a sign of things to come for Glenbard West, which has won two tournament titles this season. The Hilltoppers, who were just 11-17 a year ago, headed into the new calendar year a perfect 10-0 and, more importantly, 3-0 in the West Suburban Silver with two more winnable games this weekend against York and Downers Grove North. Led by 6-foot-6, four-year varsity player Michael Mache, Glenbard West has the size and experience to compete deep into the season.

NORTH: Winning Mix

What happens when you combine a dominant high school big man with a surplus of talented and versatile guards? You get a New Trier squad that may be the best team no one is talking about in the Chicago area. Big, crafty 6-foot-7 forward Connor Boehm, along with perimeter threats Reid Berman, David Bragiel, Austin Angel, Jordan Thomas and emerging Steven Cook, have the Trevians off to a 12-2 start. Plus, New Trier ended a disturbing trend at the Proviso West Tournament (2-7 the past three years) by reaching the title game, falling 68-55 to Proviso East.

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