10 Best: Games Covered This Season
PrepHoopsIllinois has evaluated over 120+ high school basketball games this high school season. Now that the season is winding down we thought it would be a great time to look back at the best regular season games we covered this season! Here are our 10 Best: Games Covered This Season.
Conant vs Libertyville
Two of the premier 2018s in the state battled it out on the second night of the season as Libertyville and Conant tangled at the Joe Majkowski Classic. Drew Peterson is the top uncommitted senior and Vermont commit Ryan Davis is one of the best posts in the senior class. They both put on a show in a competitive game that went to OT. Libertyville took home the win 59-56. Drew Peterson went for 29 points in the win. Ryan Davis had 22 points and 12 boards.
OPRF vs Fenwick
This is always one of the best games of the year. These two neighborhood rivals met at the Chicago Elite Classic on Friday night which has now become an annual tradition! Both schools bring huge student sections and it is an intense rivalry. OPRF showed off their depth in this game with solid play from Dashon Enoch, Charlie Hoehne, and Chase Robinson. It was their senior Isaiah Fuller that helped them capture the win by going for 18 points. DJ Steward had 13 points and Damari Nixon went for 16 points against OPRF.
Whitney Young vs Vashon
Cam’Ron Fletcher & Marion McKinneyThis was another game at the Chicago Elite Classic. It was a Chicago vs St. Louis battle as Whitney Young took on Missouri power Vashon. Valpo commit Javon Freeman was fantastic for the Dolphins going for 20 points and would have had more except for foul trouble. He actually played one possession after he fouled out of the game. Their junior shooting guard Myles Baker recorded 16 points. Vashon was just too much in this game. Big time 2019 point guard Mario McKinney went for over 30 points scoring in transition regularly. 2020 Cam’Ron Fletcher established himself as a national recruit with an 18 point performance. This was a big road win for Vashon.
Orr vs Danville
In my opinion this was the best game I saw this season. Danville traveled up to play Chicago power Orr at the Team Rose Shootout. Danville put on a show with their star Kendle Moore leading the way. He scored in a variety of ways and got to the rim absolutely at will. Moore drilled the game winner while scoring 29 points. Sean Houpt is a junior that has a versatile game and does whatever his team needs in that particular game. He scored 17 points knocking down some huge shots. Illinois football commit Julian Pearl provided a major presence inside on the boards and with some big buckets. For Orr Chase Adams played the best game of his career dropping 37 points. He was completely unstoppable in the game with his pull up jumper. Dannie Smith also was in beast mode going for 25 points. The rest of the Orr stars didn’t contribute their usual work load. Danville got a huge momentum win early in the season.
Bloomington vs OPRF
These two squads met up in the quarterfinals at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. It was a highly contested game throughout. Chris Payton was an absolute monster inside going for 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. It wasn’t enough as Bloomington missed a last second shot. Isaiah Fuller was great as usual going for 21 points and junior Chase Robinson stepped up big scoring 15 points with Dashon Enoch injured.
Belleville West vs Champaign Central
This was the championship game at the Centralia Holiday Tournament. It had been a long week of hoops, but this was a great way to end the marathon. Belleville West won the championship behind a huge game from their star EJ Liddell who had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Keith Randolph scored well inside with 14 points and Malachi Smith had 9 points along with 8 boards. Champaign Central star Tim Finke had injured his back earlier in the day and he had to play an “old man’s game.” In front of his future coaches at Grand Canyon he was very effective hitting jumpers on his way to 23 points. Jonte Coleman drilled threes for 20 points. With a three point lead for Belleville West Champaign Central scored, but the clock ran out and Belleville West captured the title.
Morgan Park vs Chaminade
This was the featured game at the Highland Shootout. It didn’t go quite as planned with Morgan Park superstar Ayo Dosunmu playing at about 40%. He gave it a go, but after the first half he just didn’t have it. Adam Miller stepped up for the Mustangs and the state’s top sophomore scored 23 points. The real story for Morgan Park was the dominant performance from Cam Burrell scoring on put backs and in transition finishing with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Marcus Watson had 15 points. You would think with all those points the Chicago team would win, but Chaminade had their entire squad go off! NC State commit Jericole Hellems had 17 points and his senior running mate Jadis White scored 21 points. Junior Keyyaun Batchman notched 22 points, but the star of the night was sophomore sharp shooter Luke Kasubke who had 27 points. Chaminade won 107-94.
Belleville West vs Chaminade
Chaminade would continue to roll a couple weeks later at the Chick Fil-A Classic at Belleville East High School. They met up with Belleville West in the championship game which was a very competitive game with major runs by both teams. Belleville West star EJ Liddell had 24 points and 12 blocks. Malachi Smith contributed 20 points. Chaminade’s depth was just too much to overcome. Jericole Hellems, Keyyaun Batchman, and Luke Kasubke all scored between 17-21 points in their 81-77 win to capture the title.
Bolingbrook vs Lanphier
Bolingbrook and Lanphier met up in one of the Saturday games at the O’Fallon Shootout. It was a battle between two of the most athletic teams in the state and speed was the name of the game. Both teams got up and down the floor and created turnovers. Lanphier star Cardell McGee didn’t play well, but it was a collective effort that helped Lanphier get the big win. They were led by junior Karl Wright who had 14 points. Bolingbrook’s backcourt of Joseph Yesufu and Tyler Cochran each notched 21 points living up to their top 20 rankings.
Belleville West vs Webster Groves
Belleville West is on the list for the third time! They have been in some great games this year. This was no exception. Webster Groves was without Carte’Are Gordon who was suspended so EJ Liddell went to work inside and outside. He opened with a three and followed with a windmill dunk. He was a stat sheet stuffer going for 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 dimes, and 2 steals capturing MVP honors. Wright State commit Malachi Smith hit some big shots en route to 18 points. The top 2018 in the state of Missouri Courtney Ramey stared off slow, but in the second half he took it to another level including dunking on Liddell. He had 24 points.