Illinois HS Basketball News: Issue 37
Week of March 7, 2021 - Week 5 of the 2021 season
An absolutely loaded newsletter. Had to cut too much to get under the character limit. Look out for the top plays in this week’s Top Performers.
Let’s get to basketball!
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Season Updates
The Chipotle Clash of Champions released its pairings Sunday night (Joe Henricksen/Sun-Times). The only thing left to be determined for the bracket is Evanston or Glenbrook South on Monday night. GBS gets in with a win over New Trier, which knocked off Evanston Saturday, on Monday. The tournament is Friday and Saturday for eight of the Chicago area’s top teams.
Michael O’Brien and Joe Henricksen answer mailbag questions in the latest “No Shot Clock" podcast. Their shows have become a staple of my commute this season.
Conference Champions and Conference Races
Missing plenty of conference champions. Will have it all organized soon in one article.
“A happy Layla Henderson snaps shooting slump as Naperville North beats Naperville Central, clinches DuPage Valley Conference title.” (Matt Le Cren/Naperville Sun)
“Morgan Spaulding and Marianna Morrissey have become two of the best in the North Suburban Conference. With their emergence, Libertyville wins its third straight title.” (Bob Narang/Lake County News-Sun)
“A slam dunk: Scottie Ebube scores 21 points as Mundelein tops Zion-Benton to clinch the North Suburban Conference title.” (Nick Frazier/Lake County News-Sun)
“Wethersfield earns share of Lincoln Trail Conference boys crown.” (Terry Duckett/Dispatch-Argus)
“Sacred Heart-Griffin girls run table to win Central State Eight title.” (The State Register-Journal)
Watseka girls went undefeated in conference play, winning the regular season and the team’s 25th-consecutive conference game. (Daily Journal)
“Rocky boys jump on Moline early to claim 'unofficial' Big 6 title.” (Dan Doxsie/Dispatch-Argus)
“Piasa, ‘hitting on all cylinders,’ run over Hiltoppers for South Central Conference title.” (Greg Shashack/Alton Telegraph)
“A look at the Mid-Illini and Big 12 conference tournament pairings.” (Wes Huett/Journal Star)
“Fieldcrest rallies past Dee-Mack for share of HOIC championship.” (Charlie Ellerbrock/Shaw Media)
“Rocky girls top Pioneers, remain tied for WB6 lead.” (Tom Schroeder/Dispatch-Argus)
“Erie-Prophetstown begin to click, in hunt for Three Rivers East Division title.” (Terry Duckett/Dispatch-Argus)
Lanphier boys finish perfect in league play. (Ryan Mahan/The State Register-Journal)
“With a little help from Schaumburg, Barrington takes control of MSL West.” (Lou Nunez/Northwest Herald)
BNC basketball tournament brackets released. (Jay Taft/Rockford Register Star)
Hersey girls won the MSL East for the fourth time in five years.
Rankings
Nesto Hoops’ statewide boys top 25 rankings (3/7): 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, South of I-80, Chicago Area
“The Peoria area’s 5 top boys basketball programs of the past 20 years.” (Wes Huett/Journal-Star)
“The Peoria area’s 5 top girls basketball programs of the past 20 years.” (Wes Huett/Journal-Star)
Milestones and Awards
Player Milestones
Noah Franklin became Cobden’s all-time leading scorer (1,825). He also grabbed his 1,000th career rebound. Kaleb Carter’s story for Illinois-Basketball.com.
Holt Geltmaker became IVC’s all-time leading scorer (1,830).
Blake Peters became Evanston’s all-time leading scorer (1,479).
Syd Allfolter became Marist’s all-time leading rebounder (800+). She also passed the 1,500-point mark.
Carson Brozenec is now Fisher’s all-time scoring leader, passing current Illini Zach Griffith (1,306 points). Matt Daniels’ story for the News-Gazette.
Danville’s Erin Houpt scored her 2,000th career point. Colin Likas’ story for the News-Gazette.
Kenwood junior Brianna McDaniel scored her 1,000th career point.
Rockridge junior Nate Henry scored his 1,000th career point.
Dunlap senior Gabe Calhoun scored his 1,000th career point.
Geneseo junior Kammie Ludwig and United Township senior Jade Hunter each reached the 1,000-point mark in the same game. Kyle Hartwick’s story for the Dispatch-Argus.
Hersey senior Mary Kate Fahey scored her 1,000th career point.
Metro East-Lutheran senior A.J. Smith scored his 1,000th career point. Dan Brannan’s story for RiverBender.com.
East Dubuque senior guard Declan Schemmel scored his 1,000th career point.
Moline senior Bralee Trice scored her 1,000th career point. Kyle Hartwick’s story for the Dispatch-Argus.
St. Francis senior Kate Chaparro scored her 1,000th career point. Chris Walker’s story for the Daily Herald.
Glenbard South senior Lauren Cohen scored her 1,000th career point. Chris Casey’s story for My Suburban Life.
Calhoun senior Colleen Schumann scored her 1,000th career point. Colin Feeney’s story for RiverBender.com.
Downers Grove South senior Meghan Stapleton scored her 1,000th career point.
Rochelle senior Garrett Burdin scored his 1,000th career point.
Liberty senior Nolton Klingele scored his 1,000th career point.
Indian Creek senior Drew Gaston scored his 1,000th career point.
Indian Creek senior Michael Lampson scored his 1,000th career point.
BHRA’s Elijah Tidwell scored his 1,000th career point. Colin Likas’ story for the News-Gazette.
Salt Fork’s Carsyn Todd scored her 1,000th career point. Joe Vozzelli’s story for the News-Gazette.
O’Fallon senior Amelia Bell scored her 1,000th career point on senior night.
Regina senior Laura Strenk scored her 1,000th career point.
Coach Milestones
Cornerstone Christian boys coach Rick Owens won his 500th game as a head coach. (Story: Randy Reinhardt/The Pantagraph)
Pinckneyville boys coach Bob Waggoner won his 500th career game.
East Dubuque boys coach Eric Miller won his 300th game at the program.
Routt Catholic boys coach Will Whalen won his 100th career game.
Boys Features
“Nojus Indrusaitis is just a freshman. But Kyle Kostes says ‘he’s probably going to end up being the best player in Lemont history.’” (Steve Millar/Daily Southtown)
“Shifty. Creative. Great vision. Liam Kim continues to grow into role as point guard for Naperville North.” (Patrick McGavin/Naperville Sun)
“Winless when week began, Lakes enjoys role of spoiler with second straight victory against a Northern Lake County Conference contender.” (Nick Frazier/Lake County News-Sun)
Evergreen Park finding rhythm in fast-paced attack under new head coach Jim Sexton. (Tim O’Brien/Beverly Review)
“Manual senior Emaryon Byrd is a talented basketball player, leader.” (Stan Morris/Journal Star)
Lake Park’s Tanner Koziol started his career at Lake Park. The Ball Statefootball recruit made a difference in his first game back after stints at Nazareth and in Indiana. (Bob Narang/Daily Herald)
“Slater and Miller leaving lasting impact on Springfield High hoops.” (Ryan Mahan/The State Register-Journal)
Kankakee's Amarion Osborne lifts Kankakee on emotional day, hours after brother’s funeral. (Mason Schweizer/Daily Journal)
“‘You don’t think they’re open, but they’re open to him:’ Martez Jackson making his mark for the Barbs.” (Eddie Carifio/Daily Chronicle)
““She’s with me every step’ York senior Jeff Grace is motivated by his late mother’s memory.” (Bob Narang/My Suburban Life)
Girls Features
“Tyler Butler becomes a force for Belleville East.” (Kaleb Carter/Illinois-Basketball)
“Often the shortest player on the court, Richards’ Nikki Sobieszczyk still measures up: ‘She has really grown into the senior role.’” (Tony Baranek/Daily Southtown)
“Shooting star Mia Kennelly, who wants to ‘make a memory’ for the seniors, sparks Oak Lawn to a 10-0 start.” (Tony Baranek/Daily Southtown)
“Nebraska recruit Kendall Moriarty adds another milestone to her high school career, making the winning shot as Benet tops St. Viator.” (Matt Le Cren/Naperville Sun)
“With four games left in her basketball career, Ella Karg focuses not on its end but on it all as she leads Wauconda to a seventh straight win.” (Bob Narang/Lake County News-Sun)
“Senior guard Daniella Jarrell needed to score more for Vernon Hills. Points made.” (Bob Narang/Lake County News-Sun)
Nyla Walker enjoys return to court with Mother McAuley after sitting out last season due to transfer from Marist. (Tim O’Brien/Beverly Review)
“Claire Hyde’s competitive fire, stellar shooting fuels Wheaton North.” (Joshua Welge/My Suburban Life)
Commitments
Normal University 2021 point guard Brandon Merritt committed to D-III Augustana (Rock Island).
Taylorville 2021 forward Sean Czajkowski committed to D-III Central College (IA).
Glenwood 2021 forward Kate Matthews committed to D-III Elmhurst.
Downers Grove South 2021 forward Ashley Lang committed to D-III Augustana.
Rockridge 2021 guard Jenson Whiteman committed to juco John Wood (Quincy).
Belleville West 2021 forward Casandra Sams committed to juco Kaskaskia College (Centralia).
List of 2021 girls college commitments and 2021 boys college commitments.
Boys Recruiting News
Romeoville 2021 guard Charlie Burd received an offer from juco Moraine Valley (Palos Hills).
Girls Recruiting News
Prospect 2022 guard Andie Will received an offer from D-I Brown (RI).
Coaching Stories and News
“Monmouth-Roseville boys basketball coach Chuck Grant will step down after season.” (Matthew Wheaton/Galesburg Register-Mail)
Brianna and Quinn Morrow coach at Metamora and IVC all while raising a family and balancing their lives. (Stan Morris and Adam Duvall/Journal Star)
“Jerel McNeal made the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. He’s played all around the world. For now, he’s giving back at Hillcrest.” (Pat Disabato/Daily Southtown)
Illinois Players in College
“After getting through cancer treatments and multiple injuries, Elgin native and NIU guard Paulina Castro puts together the healthiest season of her career.” (Patricia Babcock McGraw/Daily Herald)
“Jacobs coach, former players enjoy Krutwig’s success at Loyola.” (Joe Stevenson/Northwest Herald). Krutwig won MVC player of the year honors. (Sean Hammond/Northwest Herald)
“Marian Central alum Janelle Allen adapting quickly in freshman season at Holy Cross.” (Barry Bottino/Northwest Herald)
A list of all D1 men’s basketball players from Illinois.
A list of all D1 women’s basketball players from Illinois.
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