The Thanksgiving Tournaments are wrapped up and it is time to get into the regular swing of things. Here is a quick look at this week’s top games:
Tuesday
Loyola at Providence-St. Mel: A great matchup of two of the area’s top freshman. Loyola has guard Andre White, Jr. I haven’t seen him play yet, but I’ve heard great things. The Knights counter with big man Taeyon Neal. He battled foul trouble when I saw him on Sunday, but I saw enough to be sold. He has monster potential. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him evolve into the top-ranked prospect in the class. Big, strong and athletic. Not a surprise that DePaul has already offered him.
Deerfield at Waukegan: This is where I will be. The Dog Pound is once again a hoops hotbed. The Bulldogs are loaded with freshman talent and junior Carson Newsome had a fabulous opening week. Deerfield is 4-0 and features point guard Jordan Baum, who Joe Henricksen has raved about.
Wednesday
South Elgin at No. 17 Glenbard West: Justin Pierce was one of the breakout players of Week 1 and the Hilltoppers are now in the rankings. Not sure if the missing football players will be back already. South Elgin is 2-2 but has point guard Matty Smith, a player I’ve gone way too long without seeing.
Thursday
No. 18 Hyde Park at No. 25 Vocational: No game for me today, I have a family obligation I can’t miss. But this is where I would be if I could.
No. 5 Kenwood at Lake Forest Academy
North Chicago at Zion-Benton
Friday
No. 22 De La Salle at No. 9 St. Joseph: George Wilborn had a monster week for the Meteors, totaling 75 points, 25 rebounds, 15 assists and nine steals in four games at the St. Patrick Tournament. He’s a 6-4 do-everything type. Will be interesting to see if De La Salle can handle all of St. Joseph’s talent.
Bolingbrook at No. 14 Joliet West
Wheaton North at Wheaton-Warrenville South
Thornton at Lincoln-Way West
Larkin at Elgin
No. 13 Downers Grove South at Proviso East
Saturday
Niles North at Niles West
