Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 8, 2015

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Solorio freshman Kahlil Whitney lived up to the hype tonight. He’s a very good shooter, has a really developed midrange game for a young player. Reminded me of Patrick Beverley. Didn’t show Beverley’s ability to get to the basket, but he’s only a freshman. Read all about him.

Whitney makes some bold statements about staying at Solorio and creating a legacy. It would be fun if he does stay put. I think high school basketball is a better sport when the elite talents are spread out across the city and state. I’m not into super teams.

The game was fun. Most people would be shocked by the talent at  lower level Public League games. Solorio has a bundle of interesting freshmen playing alongside Whitney. And get this, Hubbard has a pair of twin towers! Chris Collins, a 6-6 senior, had 10 points and 15 rebounds. Huge motor. He played hard all game. Big frame and a nose for rebounding. I’m sure he could play college ball at some level. Deshawn Hughes, a 6-8 senior, had four points and eight boards. Hubbard also featured Kejuan Skanes, the brother of Phillips quarterback Quayvon Skanes, he scored 16 points.

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Tonight’s top scores

Deerfield 62, Glenbrook North 52: Jordan Baum scored 17. Deerfield is now 6-0 and on the verge of the Super 25.

Evanston 61, Waukegan 44: Big night for Nojel Eastern with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in a nice win against a talented young Wildkits team.

Bloom 55, Thornwood 51: Any team in the south suburbs can beat any other team on any given night.

Oak Park-River Forest 51, Brother Rice 34: Cameron Gross 17 points, 8 rebounds; Breshawn Wilkerson 13 points, 5 assists.

Hillcrest 63, Richards 43: Nice for me to see the Hawks get a win after I kept them in the Super 25. Technically, they should have been dumped. But I have a feeling about them. Marcus Garrett is just a load and I’m hearing great things about freshman Isaac Stanback.

Simeon 66, Harlan 42: Good for the Wolverines to get Ben Coupet (10 points, 12 rebounds) going before the Battle of Vincennes on Thursday.

Curie 78, DuSable 36: Balanced effort for the Condors. Devin Gage 16 points, 5 assists; Elijah Joiner 14 points; Landers Nolley II 12 points; Allante Pickens 10 points, 5 steals.

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The latest episode of No Shot Clock was released today. All kinds of debate and discussion with me and Joe Henricksen. Give it a listen.

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I will be at Orr tomorrow night to see the Spartans play Perspectives-MSA. Orr has sophomore Raekwon Drake and apparently a bundle of good young players. Perspectives-MSA has sophomore Marquan Williams, one of the city’s best guards.

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