Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 17, 2018

Headed to Romeoville tonight to get a look at Yorkville Christian’s highly-regarded freshman Jaden Schutt.

He’s 6-4 with a very nice looking shot. This was not his game though. The Spartans held him to six points and he fouled out early in the fourth quarter. Schutt is averaging 17 points a game so far this season.

Romeoville beat the Mustangs 63-42. It was quite a showcase for Spartans junior Destin Whitaker. He had 25 points and nine rebounds and was 11-for-15 shooting.

“Whitaker has gotten a lot better,” Romeoville coach Marc Howard said. “He’s improving his guard skills. He can shoot the ball, he’s getting better with his handle and making reads.”

Noah Ferrell, a 6-8 senior, had 21 points for Romeoville and guard Mike Salter added 10. The Spartans are 9-1 this season. Th only defeat was a close loss to Bolingbrook.

Yorkvillie Christian’s Colton Schutt (2) gets the ball knocked away. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Destin Whitaker (24) blocks a shot put up by Yorkvillie’s Christian’s Mekhi Lunford. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Yorkvillie Christian’s Christian Sovern (12) grabs the arm of Romeoville’s Mike Salter. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Yorkvillie Christian’s Jaden Schutt (14) drives to the basket. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Zach Gibson (21) tries to dunk on Yorkvillie Christian’s Malik Lunford. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Destin Whitaker (24) goes up for a shot. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Destin Whitaker (24) picks up a loose ball. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Yorkvillie Christian’s Jaden Schutt (14) at the top of the key. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Yorkvillie Christian’s Jaden Schutt (14) gets past Romeoville’s Mike Salter. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Ikenna Okeke (5) puts up a jump shot. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Romeoville’s Noah Ferrell (33) gets a hard foul going to the basket. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Yorkvillie Christian’s Mekhi Lunford (33) beats Romeoville’s Noah Ferrell (33) to the ball, Monday 12-17-18. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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“Not many people expected us to be in this shape this year,” Howard said. “Last year’s team created the blueprint. We would have liked to get more out of that team but we are very thankful for them creating a winning atmosphere. The guys still here have taken a leadership role and are trying to get us to the next level.”

Yorkville Christian is just a Class 1A school, so it was aware tonight was probably going to be rough. Definitely great to step up and get the experience of playing a good Class 4A team. The Mustangs have the talent to make a run in 1A.

The IHSA released the sectional assignments this evening. Two quick takeaways: Corliss appears to be missing from the Class 2A assignments. Northwestern is hosting a supersectional, which is cool. Unfortunately the game will likely feature a city school against a south suburban school. In Evanston. That doesn’t make much sense.

Joe Henricksen didn’t waste a single minute getting on this, check out his instant analysis of the sectional assignments.

Monday’s top games

Lockport 65, Reavis 40: They played this one in The Pit, the old gym at Lockport Central. I have so many horrible memories of that place. Things never went well for the Steelmen. It’s a great old gym though. The Porters play a few games a year there from what I hear and I would love to see it again. John Vassilakis led the Porters with 15 points and Matt Hatzopoulos added 14. Lockport is 7-2.

Grant 70, Lake Zurich 53: The Bulldogs led 21-2 after one quarter and rolled.

Austin 74, Alcott 44: Domination from he very young Tigers. Sophomore Quavinn Ingram had 15 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Tyjuan Freeman scored 14 and sophomore Andrew McCline added 12 points and six assists.

Oak Forest 55, Back of the Yards 21: This was my second choice game of the night, the Bengals also have a star freshman in Robbie Avila. Fourteen players scored for Oak Forest.

No. 18 New Trier 62, Niles West 47: The Trevians knocked off the team they replaced at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. New Trier is 8-1 and heading to Arizona on Wednesday to play in a tournament.

Ag. Science 46, Lincoln-Way Central 44: Kind of an eye-opener. The Cyclones (9-3) are an interesting team. Kyle Rowan and Josh St. Preux each scored 11.

Steinmetz 70, Intrinsic 42: The Silver Streaks are 8-1. Myon Dalton scored 16 and Quame Gipson added 15.

Legal Prep 78, Islamic Foundation 41: Elijah “Bug” Washington had 17 points and five steals. I am 80 percent more likely to feature teams in the notebook if the players have weird nicknames. Raymond Dampier scored 12 and Darrell Williams added 11.

Glenbard West 55, Naperville Central 28: The Hilltoppers are 8-2 and have a genuine star in Evan Taylor. I’m definitely keeping an eye on them for the Super 25.

MONDAY’S FULL SCOREBOARD