Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 28, 2017

Good day of basketball in Evanston. Nice wins for Jacobs, Loyola and the host Wildkits. I was wondering if Nojel Eastern or Cam Krutwig would make a big Player of the Year statement. That didn’t happen. After the game Eastern even stressed to me that he’s not paying any attention to his numbers, just wins.

It was really great to see former Evanston coach Paul Pryma, I didn’t realize he was an assistant with Loyola now. I have plenty of fond memories of watching Pryma’s teams in that old gym.

Saturday’s top games

Jacobs 63, New Trier 49: On paper New Trier seems to be one of the few teams in the area that could possibly slow down Jacobs big man Cameron Krutwig. The Trevians start a pair of tall sophomores, 6-9 Ciaran Brayboy and 6-8 Spencer Boehm.

The New Trier bigs were able to keep Krutwig from dominating the game, but junior guard Ryan Phillips stepped up and scored 23 points to help the Golden Eagles cruise to a win on Saturday in Evanston at The War on the Shore.

Phillips scored 16 in the first quarter and didn’t miss a shot. Krutwig finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds and Cooper Schwartz added eight points for Jacobs (18-1).

Boehm scored 11 and Aaron Peltz had nine for the Trevians (10-9).

Evanston 60, Homewood-Flossmoor 48: Chris Hamil led the Wildkits (17-3) with 17 points and Nojel Eastern added 14.

Evanston jumped out to a 36-33 lead at halftime. The Vikings cut the deficit to just three by then end of the third quarter but a basket from Eastern opened the fourth and ignited an 11-2 run to seal the win.

“We expected them to come out hard, we didn’t let them rattle us,” Eastern said. “We calmed down and handled the pressure well.”

Young 79, St. Louis Chaminade 69: Really nice win on the road for the Dolphins. Javon Freeman had 21, Lucas Williamson 20. Xavier Castaneda added 15 points and freshman Tyler Beard scored 10.

Downers Grove South 58, Proviso East 55: Denis Alibegovic scored 23 points, shot 7-for-11 from three. Mustangs showing they can be dangerous.

Luther North 79, Walther Christian 45:Junior James Owen scored 40. Luther North is 15-5.

St.Louis Vashon 76, Orr 61: Spartans fall in Missouri.

Butler 69, Indianapolis Lighthouse 56: A triple-double for Marvin Nesbitt with 18 points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists. Teon Nesbitt scored 29. I keep trying to find a time to check out Butler, need to make it happen.

Providence 56, Rock Island 50 OT: The Celtics are rolling, seven wins in a row.

St. Joseph 53, Riverside-Brookfield 40: Chargers are back in the win column. This was win number 996 for coach Gene Pingatore.

Joliet Central 72, Mount Carmel 45: Steelmen win. Jason Bingham had 16 points, Ryan King 11 and Jomarre McNair added seven points and seven boards.

Batavia 60, West Aurora 51 OT: The Bulldogs win at the night of hoops. Blackhawks junior Camron Donatlan injured his knee in the first half and did not return.