In my mind, Algonquin and Mundelein aren’t all that far away. And when I checked the mileage it backed me up: 18 miles.
But it was a long, slow 18 miles driving along an oddly large amount of water and a lot of fancy houses. It was worth it though. I had a chance to check out preseason-ranked Cary-Grove before heading to the showdown between undefeated No. 14 Mundelein and undefeated No. 20 Lake Park.
Beau Frericks, a Lewis recruit, and big man Frank Jakubicek, a Belmont recruit, did not disappoint. The Trojans beat Streamwood 87-61. Frericks finished with 31 points and Jakubicek had 25 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Streamwood plays a fast, fun style with a lot of threes and every player getting in the game. The Sabres weren’t able to mount much of a challenge to Cary-Grove past the first quarter though. There was a running clock in the second half.
Mundelein was really impressive. The crowd was great and the team delivered.
Saturday’s top games
Hyde Park 65, Thornwood 59: Junior Jalen Houston had 30 points and six assists and sophomore Lamont Williams added 11. The Thunderbirds are 8-1. Curie 79, North Lawndale 60.
No. 7 Curie 79, No. 25 North Lawndale 60: The Condors roll. Ramean Hinton and Armond Williams each scored 17 and Elijah Pickens added 13. Curie will head to Pontiac undefeated. Jamar Wilkins led the Phoenix with 16 points.
No. 8 Marian Catholic 72, St. Rita 52: Dominant win behind 27 points from Ahron Ulis and 11 from Joe Green.
St. Ignatius 47, Nazareth 35: Senior Daniel Florey led the Wolfpack with 15 points and big sophomore Kolby Gilles added 12 points. Iggy is 8-3.
Crane 54, No. 12 Orr 49: The upset of the day and the biggest win for the Cougars in a long time. Jimarius Sneed led the way with 19 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. Jalen West scored 13.
Scotlandville, La. 53, No. 6 Young 51: This wraps things up at this tournament for the Dolphins. Sangolay Njie and DJ Steward each scored 16.
TF South 55, Romeoville 50: Senior Elijah Wilson had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Xavier Lewis added 13 and 12 rebounds and Isiah Lews scored 13.
No. 11 Thornton 83, Ferndale, Mich. 64: Brandon Hall scored 20 for the 9-0 Wildcats.
No. 3 Notre Dame 63, Leo 49: Big one from Louis Lesmond with 28 points. Troy D’Amico added 13.
St. Louis Christian 59, Corliss 54: The Trojans lose on the road. Na’shawn Townsen scored 15.
Lincoln-Way East 44, Lyons 43: Ty Slager led the Griffins with 10 points. Myles Olabegi made the game-winner along with a 70-footer at the end of the third quarter.
Austin 58, SW Gwinnett 42: The Tigers win the North Bay Haven Beach Bash. Kevin Gentry scored 16 and Joshua Profit added 12 points and six rebounds. Charles Echols was the tournament MVP.
No. 18 DePaul Prep 58, St Viator 50: Ty Johnson scored 23 and DJ Shower added 12 points.
Milwaukee Young Coggs 74, Solorio 73: The Sun Warriors lose on the road. Donovan Jones scored 18.
No. 4 Bogan 53, Clark 30: Antione Bloxton and Darrion Jones each scored 12. The first loss of the season for Clark.
No. 10 Simeon 67, U-High 66: Ahamad Bynum scored 20 and Phil Holmes added 18 points and 11 rebounds as the Wolverines pick up a much-needed win after a rough week .
Hillcrest 69, Bloomington 60: Another team that really needed a win gets one. Julius Rollins led the Hawks with 20 points. It appear the Purple Raiders will be a challenge for Joliet West in the last game of the first round at Pontiac.
York 70, Willowbrook 58: Another nice win for the Dukes, who apparently can play fast as well as slow. Nate Shockey scored 25.
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