The notebook intro is going to be short and sweet tonight and contain more unsolicited advice to Public League coaches and athletic directors.
Make a basketball schedule. Post it online before the season begins. Stick to it.
That’s it. There are no excuses for why your team name shows up on shootouts and then disappears. I’ve been accused of being a Public League apologist by some. And then plenty think I’m anti-Public League.
But there isn’t any other rational viewpoint on this one. Schools are messing with their schedules for various reasons. Maybe waiting to get a transfer cleared. Maybe delaying a game because a player was kicked out of the last game and can’t play. It’s all ridiculous.
Make a schedule and stick to it. All this playing around with the schedule is embarrassing to Public League basketball.
Wednesday’s top games
No. 12 Lincoln Park 69, North Lawndale 64, OT: It’s always tough winning at Collins against North Lawndale and the Lions needed overtime but got it done. Ismail Habib had 33 points, five rebounds and four steals and Julio Montes added 19 points.
Northridge 60, St. Edward 33: Dominant win behind Kevin Thursby’s 19 points. The Knights are 12-3.
Glenbard West 72, Lincoln-Way Central 63, 2 OT: Speaking of big overtime wins on the road, check out what the young Hilltoppers pulled off in double-overtime. Diallo Phillips scored 25 and Braden Huff added 22 points. Glenbard West is 12-1.
Clemente 59, Ogden 43: Terrell Taylor (21 points) and Trey Spires (19 points) led the Wildcats.
Lane 54, Payton 46: This one really hurts for the Grizzlies. They are now 0-5 in the Red-North/West and looking like major candidates for relegation. Eric Stemper led Lane with 13 points, six rebounds, three assists. Trent Askew scored a career-high 10 points.
Neuqua Valley 92, No. 22 Bolingbrook 89, 2 OT: Now that is a score. This is where I likely would have been if I wasn’t unsuccessfully trying to see Von Steuben’s Ola Ajiboye. John Poulakidas scored 49 to break the school record.
Crane 65, Perspectives-MSA 59: Rashad Harris scored 19 and Jimarius Sneed poured in 17 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Orr 67, Uplift 59: A triumphant return for newly-eligible transfer Reggie Strong. The senior point guard scored 14 and Demarius Splunge added 14 points and five rebounds. Strong’s presence likely changes the outlook for the Spartans this season.
No. 9 Young 77, Westinghouse 47: According to Rafie Fields Devin Davis has injured his ankle again. Not good for the Warriors. A bit of a statement win for the Dolphins in their return to the area.
