Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 5, 2018

Markese Jacobs delivered a Player of the Year performance tonight. He completely took over the game down the stretch to lead Uplift to a win it probably didn’t deserve over Lincoln Park.

Jacobs is going to need some help if the Titans want to stay in the Super 25 and make the state tournament run they want this season.

DeAndre Vortes, Detalian Brown and Tavion Underwood all had good moments in the game, but the team just isn’t firing on all cylinders yet.

READ ALL ABOUT UPLIFT’S WIN AGAINST LINCOLN PARK

I’m leaning towards heading down to Kankakee tomorrow. The Kays host Rich South. Also curious about Hyde Park vs. Corliss.

Wednesday’s top games

Orr 60, No. 19 Farragut 52: Terry Williams stuffed the state sheet for the Spartans with 17 points, five rebounds and five assists. Greg Outlaw scored 11 and Tyler Bullock added 10. Tujautae Williams had nine points and eight rebounds. The Admirals, for like the third consecutive season, are beset with injuries at the start of the season. Demetrius Schaffer has been out. Yesterday junior Daniro Bolden tore his ACL and he will miss the entire season.

Prosser 64, Crane 51: This was my second choice game of the night. Not totally surprised the Falcons won, but didn’t expect it to be by 13. Sophomore Norvell Meadows scored 32. Prosser is 5-2.

Lane 76, North Lawndale 70: This is an upset, even at Lane. Jimmy Mulvaney scored a career-high 22 points. Johnny Colombo added 16 and Louis Perona added 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. The Indians win their first game back up in the Red.

Schurz 63, Mather 45: The Bulldogs win the conference opener. Nakyel Shelton had 22 points and Louis Abraham added 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Hinsdale South 59, DeKalb 56 OT: The Barbs were really good when I saw them on Sunday at Ridgewood so this is an eye-opener. Hinsdale South has totally flown under the radar so far this season, but Billy Durkin (15 points) and big man Aaron Tims (13 points) are both very good players.

Taft 64, Lake View 46: Matt Lesch and Chino Garcia each scored 14. The Eagles are 1-0 in the White-North.

Payton 76, Von Steuben 45: Jabari Chiphe led the Grizzlies with 24 and Ronan Prugh added 18.

Westinghouse 71, Collins 66: Devin Davis continues to post big numbers. He scored 29. Mark Carter added 22 and Tyrin Kidd scored 13.

Lincoln-Way Central 67, Southland Prep 60: The very young Knights are 3-3. Sean Curran scored 21.

Wells 58, Clemente 50: The Raiders win the battle of my West Town neighborhood. Eric Fowler scored 27 and Jonathan Evans added 11. Sophomore Terrell Taylor led the Wildcats with 18 points.

Foreman 70, Alcott 38: The Hornets open White-North play with a win. Bobby Hughes had a big game with 19 points and 11 boards.

Team needed: Mike Wilson of the Effingham/Teutopolis Christmas Tournament reached out this afternoon. They urgently need a team for this year. Corliss, Oak Lawn, Brooks, Lincoln-Way East and Antioch are among the teams playing. The Tournament is Dc. 27-29 and Wilson says there is a four-game guarantee, $1,000 and hotel rooms provided. Email him at wilsonm@ttown.k12.il.us if you are interested.

WEDNESDAY’S FULL SCOREBOARD