Michael O’Brien’s basketball notebook: Dec. 26, 2016

SHARE Michael O’Brien’s basketball notebook: Dec. 26, 2016
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Thornton celebrates winning the 36th Big Dipper Tournament over Rich East Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Rich South High School in Richton Park. Sun-Times file photo.

Podcast listeners know I was dreading making any predictions in the York Tournament. I wound up just taking the host Dukes. They’ve been a darn dependable team in an unpredictable tournament the past few years.

So of course York lost to Providence 63-53 in the first round today. I didn’t factor in what happens whenever I publicly pick Providence to lose. Congrats to the Celtics. Jake Schutter scored 29 points.

I didn’t catch any games live today, had to travel back from a family Christmas celebration. I’ll be at Proviso West tomorrow, may sneak over to York or Hinsdale Central at some point. Then I’ll be in Pontiac for all three days, that should be a ton of fun. I might try and catch the Steelmen play in Bloomington a couple times if at all possible.

Right now the plan is to do running notebooks throughout all four days.

The photo tonight is a tribute to the Big Dipper Tournament, which was very difficult to find any info about today. It’s really unfortunate what has happened to a south suburban institution. Word on Twitter was that Alonzo Verge was not in uniform for Thornton’s opener tonight.

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Tonight’s top games

Dwight 99, Midland 43 (first round at Marseilles): Fox Watch is still going strong, but Justin Fox did not lead Dwight today. Blake Graham scored 31, Fox had 25.

No. 4 Evanston 53, Providence Fla. 52: The Wildkits squeak by in South Carolina. Lance Jones led the way with 15 points and Nojel Eastern scored 14.

Aurora Central 68, Plainfield Central 60 OT (at East Aurora): Massive point total from Brett Czerak. The shooter scored 37 .

St. Patrick 79, Oswego 55 (first round at York): Heard some very good reports about the Shamrocks in this one. Xavier Pinson scored 20, Laurence Merritt 18 and Alton Thompson 14.

Naperville North 71, Palatine 58 OT (first round at York): I’m still keeping an eye on the Huskies. The York Tournament is all about surviving, and that is just what they did. Big night for Mitch Lewis with 23 points.

Downers Grove South 67, TF South 60 (first round at York): Denis Alibegovic (an uncommitted senior) was on fire. He scored 30, made seven three-pointers.

Brother Rice 58, McHenry 45 (first round at York): Josh Niego scored 23.

De La Salle 72, Elk Grove 71 (first round at York): The Meteors also survive, thanks to a big game from Stone Parker with 27 points and four assists.

Conant 71, Glenbard East 38 (first round at York): The favorites impressed. Jimmy Sotos scored 23.

Orr 80, Pershing 49 (first round in Detroi): Dominating performance from the Spartans. Raekwon Drake had 17 points and seven rebounds. Sam Williams added 14 points, nine boards.

Jacobs 68, Zion-Benton 56 (semifinals at Jacobs): I watched this one when I got home. The entire Jacobs Tournament has been streaming for free on YouTube. It’s a really well-done broadcast. I thought both teams played pretty well. Jacobs shot well and Cam Krutwig was a force, he finished with 28 points.

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