Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Feb. 28, 2018

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Pain on the face of Markese Jacobs, Orr’s Danny Smith takes time to congratulate the Uplift junior on a well played game the Spartans won 75-66 in overtime, February 28, 2018. | Allen Cunningham/ For the Sun-Times.

Another fun night of playoff basketball. First off, Timothy Christian’s new gym is pretty great. It’s a spacious facility that just opened this year. Definitely one of the best new facilities built in the area in the last decade or so. Timothy did an excellent job hosting as well.

Now to the game. I have to admit that until Markese Jacobs fouled out with three minutes left in overtime it really felt like Uplift was going to pull off the upset.

Jacobs played well. It wasn’t a crazy breakout performance or anything but it was a confidence builder. I’ll be the first to admit that I was undecided about Jacobs last season. But he won me over with his play and his attitude this year. I’m excited to see what he does this summer. It’s totally possible he puts it all together and is the area’s top player next season.

Read all about Orr’s win over Uplift.

Tonight’s top games

CLASS 4A

Kenwood 56, Shepard 45: The Broncos pull out a nice win. Shepard had a really nice season though and four starters return next season.

Riverside-Brookfield 52, York 49: Junior guard Zach Vaia led the Bulldogs with 25 points and six assists. Junior Andrew Veon had 18 points, six boards and hit the game-winning three at the buzzer. Curie is up next.

St. Viator 72, Rolling Meadows 32: Total domination from the Lions. Jack Geary and Jeremiah Hernandez each scored 16. Meadows freshman Max Christie scored 10.

Bartlett 42, Batavia 37: A rough night for the Upstate Eight River. Tomas Vikings and Austin Gates each scored 11 for the Hawks.

Lincoln Park 58, Lane 56 OT: The Lions survive on the road. All-City star Terrence Shannon did not play.

Willowbrook 71, Metea Valley 46: It’s possible Willowbrook was a bit overlooked in all the state tournament previews. Solid victory here.

Romeoville 50, Lincoln-Way Central 40: Absolutely no one will care how the Spartans did in the regular season if they make a deep run in March. Step one on the redemption tour is complete. Deandre Heckard scored 16 and Mike Salter had 12.

Palatine 47, Waukegan 46: The Pirates put an end to a disappointing season in Waukegan.

Dundee-Crown 57, St. Charles East 54 OT: Gabe Bergeron scored 24 in the upset.

Bloom 84, Thornwood 64: The Blazing Trojans are on a roll. Sophomore Dante Maddox Jr. scored 26. Sophomore Keshawn Williams added 21 and soph Donovan Newby had 16 points and nine assists.

Lemont 64, Plainfield East 62: I considered going to this one. Two pretty good teams meeting up in a regional final. Big man Paul O’Leary led Lemont with 26.

St. Joseph 63, St. Ignatius 54 OT: The Chargers come back to win after trailing by 16 in the first half.

CLASS 3A

UP-Bronzeville 51, Clemente 41: Bit of a surprise here. The Wildcats fall at home.

Foreman 47, Sullivan 41: Damari Hendrix, one of this season’s best stories, had nine points, eight rebounds and a monster dunk.

Crane 74, Solorio 53: Hylan Harris scored 31 and sophomore Jimarius Sneed added 19 points and six rebounds.


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