Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Mar. 8, 2017

Well I’m still buzzing from that game. Just a phenomenal high school basketball experience. Joliet packed the Lincoln-Way East gym. Both teams played well, West has far more talent and built a solid lead late. The Steelmen just would not quit. They roared back to take the lead and just fell short.

I’ve been watching Joliet basketball since the early 1990’s and I can say that this group of Steelmen is the gutsiest, toughest group I’ve ever seen. Yeah, they lost tonight, but kudos to Jose Grubbs, Cam Blackmon, Jojo McNair, Ryan King, Jason Bingham, Ryan Saunders, Marcellus Hornsby and Don Joachim.

Joliet West will play Bolingbrook on Friday. Throw that earlier matchup out the window, it’s going to be a heck of a game.

A little teaser: The Player of the Year and All-Area team will be announced tomorrow afternoon.

Tonight’s top games

Wheaton North 55, Hinsdale South 53: It is now officially pretty embarrassing that I haven’t covered Wheaton North yet this season. The Hornets should be proud of their playoff run and Zion Griffin returns next season.

Conant 33, Lake Park 23: No surprise here. Final score looks a bit painful though.

Jacobs 60, Hononegah 55: Cam Krutwig and the Golden Eagles are two games from Peoria.

Young 59, Kenwood 49: There hasn’t been much buzz around the Dolphins since they lost in the city tournament. That’s a mistake. This team is very capable of winning the state title next weekend.

Thornton 64, Brother Rice 58: Alonzo Verge didn’t shoot well, but still managed to do an awful lot of everything else to help the Wildcats get the win. The Crusaders definitely overachieved this season. Imagine what Bobby Frasor will be able to do once he gets a few more classes in.

Waukegan 75, Notre Dame 63: I’ve been saying it, Joe Henricksen has been saying it, anyone with eyes can see it. The Bulldogs are very dangerous. Don’t for one second think this was an upset. Waukegan is loaded with talent and playing in the Dog Pound. Friday night is going to be a war.