O’Brien: Alonzo Verge is back, Thornton is a contender

It would take the majority of this column to recount the last three years of Alonzo Verge’s life, to properly chronicle the ups and downs and trials and travels that led him to Thornton and coach Tai Streets.

The short version: Verge, a 6-1 guard, captivated the area as a sophomore in 2015. He averaged 23 points, five rebounds, three assists and four steals as he led Willowbrook to a 21-8 record and its first conference title since 1972. He was named to the Sun-Times All-Area and All-State team.

Verge was suspended for the playoffs that season. He transferred to Proviso West at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. The Illinois High School Association ruled he wouldn’t be eligible until February, so he headed to Florida and attended Arlington Country Day (the school that produced Cubs star Javy Baez).

Now he’s back. Verge’s father is in Harvey and Verge had a successful stretch playing for Meanstreets, Thornton coach Tai Streets’ club program, so the move makes sense.

To most fans, Verge is more of an idea than a reality. They’ve read about him and followed the twists and turns of his high school career, but they have never seen him play.

“There is a lot of pressure, but he’ll be fine,” Streets said. “Nothing phases him, he just plays. I curse at him, go off on him and it doesn’t matter. It drives me crazy sometimes, but he’s a heck of a teammate. All the kids love him.”

Verge isn’t worried at all about living up to the hype, or the fact that his presence instantly makes Thornton a state-title contender. More than anything he’s relieved. He’s happy to be in a place where he feels comfortable, happy to be gearing up for a normal and hopefully drama-free season.

“Finally, that’s all I can say,” Verge said. “ I just want it to be regular and normal.”

Well, maybe not all that regular or normal. His goals are big. He wants to win Player of the Year and lead the Wildcats to the state title.

“Of course I want those things,” Verge said. “But I want to win state much more than Player of the Year.”

Thornton lost most of last year’s scoring to graduation, but 6-8 junior Orlando Allen and senior Christian Andersen are multi-talented.

“I think this could be a special group if they play together and buy in,” Streets said. “We have some talented guys and a group of guys that can fill their roles. That’s a great combination.”

Verge fit in quickly with the rest of the team socially, according to Allen. They are still building on-court chemistry.

“Verge and I are already starting to get that connection,” Allen said. “Now we just have to bring it to the rest of the team and we will be good.”

Verge’s travels have scared off college coaches and puzzled the national recruiting evaluators. ESPN ranks him 77th in the class, making him highest-ranked local player. He isn’t ranked by Scout or Rivals.

At one point Verge had offers from Illinois, Oregon and Providence. He says not much has changed with his recruiting, but the only school he actually mentioned on Wednesday was Illinois. Verge said it was “tough” watching his peers sign scholarships this week.

“[The college coaches] are waiting to see, playing the waiting game,” Streets said. “A lot of people think he’s not going to qualify. We put a plan together. As long as he does his part he will be a qualifier.”

Expect Verge to be the area’s biggest story this season. He puts up points, he wins and he plays with a Ryan Boatright-like swagger. The colleges will be around again soon enough, bet on that.

“I’m definitely going to be a qualifier,” Verge said. “I just need to be patient with recruiting. Right now I’m focused on the team and winning, not anyone else’s expectations.”