Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 30, 2017

PONTIAC, IL — Quick little notebook tonight because I’m the only guy left in this media room at Pontiac and I’m afraid the janitors might lock me in the school. I like it here, but not that much….

BLOOMINGTON

Championship

Normal 58, North Lawndale 46: Great run for the Phoenix this week, but they fall short in the title game.

CENTRALIA

Championship

Belleville West 62, Champaign Central 61: EJ Liddell had 22 points and 11 rebounds.

HINSDALE CENTRAL

Championship

St. Rita 55, Bolingbrook 49: What a turnaround for the Mustangs. From a six-game losing streak to the champions of a major holiday tournament. Joel Watts scored 13 and Alec Millander added 11.

PONTIAC

Semifinals and championship

Curie 42, Oak Park 39 (read the full story)

Simeon 73, Danville 48 (read the full story)

Simeon 67, Curie 48 (read the full story)

PROVISO WEST

Championship

Orr 77, Young 62: The Spartans are starting to live up to the preseason No. 1 ranking. Dannie Smith and Raekwon Drake each scored 22. Javon Freeman led Young with 23. Orr outscored the Dolphins 26-16 in the 4Q.

WHEELING

Championship

Niles North 72, Libertyville 65: The Vikings win the title and appear to have a lock on the No. 3 spot in the rankings (kinda scary declaring that before I look over all the holiday tournament stuff, but seems likely). They are 13-0.

YORK

Conant 54, Brother Rice 53, 2 OT: A few weeks ago in the Player of the Year race story I mentioned that Ryan Davis was going to need to win to boost his candidacy. Well, mission accomplished. This holiday tournament title puts Davis firmly on the list of serious contenders.