Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Nov. 29, 2018

I’m still buzzing from tonight’s game. It’s been far too long since I was in a gym for a big Public League game. There is literally nothing like it in the world.

The guys standing next to me argued for two quarters about who was a better prospect, Curie’s DaJuan Gordon or Orr’s Tujautae Williams. That will be a fun thing to watch all season.

The Spartans exploded out of the gate but Curie’s experience and more stable backcourt won in the end. Orr is going to be a monster by March though, the Spartans are missing three key players to injury/eligibility.

Read all about No. 8 Curie’s big win against Orr.

The Spartans are a late addition to the Chicago Elite Classic. They are replacing Huntington Prep in the 3 p.m. game and will play Sunrise Christian. Don’t miss Joe Henricksen’s preview of the CEC and the weekend.

Joe also highlighted this season’s 35 top games, always one of the best and most useful stories of the season.

Thursday’s top games

No. 21 Waukegan 75, Carmel 51: The Bulldogs win in the Dog Pound. Jordan Brown had 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Andrew White added 18 points and six assists and Bryant Brown had 14 points and seven boards. This seals a nice start to the season.

No. 15 Benet 77, St. Charles East 60: The Redwings win on the road. Kendrick Tchoua’s numbers sure say he’s a star. He scored 28 tonight. Big man Colin Brothers scored 23 and Will Engels added 14. Nathan Ortiz led the Fighting Saints with 18.

No. 3 Morgan Park 78, Goode 22: The Mustangs roll without four starters. Kyel Grover was only suspended for one game so he returned tonight. Read about the Morgan Park probation/suspension stuff here. Boopie Miller scored 23 and Chris Roberts had 20.

Glenbrook South 61, No. 2 Evanston 54: It’s pretty amazing how quickly Phil Ralston has turned the Titans into a factor. I thought about ranking them on Sunday and I clearly should have. Dom Martinelli scored 34, is on a torrid pace to start the season. He’s a great finisher in the post and I’d guess he took full advantage of Evanston’s lack of size. This is the first big upset of the season, even if some of us thought it was very possible.

New Trier 39, Maine South 37: Huge test passed by the Trevians. This was every bit the landmine that Glenbrook South was for Evanston.

West Chicago 47, Bartlett 37: Sam Ricci had 14 points and nine boards and Isaac Nelson filled up the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists. The Wildcats are 3-2.

Thursday’s full scoreboard