Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 4, 2019

SHARE Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 4, 2019
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Geneva’s Jack McDonald (3) drives down the baseline against Wheaton North, Friday 01-04-19. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

Geneva guard Jack McDonald really likes the spin move. He must have done it four or five times in tonight’s overtime win against Wheaton North. Every time he did it I thought it wasn’t going to end well but then half the time it ended spectacularly. So what do I know.

It’s kind of like Derrick Rose and the jump pass (a habit he still hasn’t broken after years in the NBA). The notebook is back with a Jack McDonald-Derrick Rose comparison!

The Vikings really stepped up at the end tonight to pull out the win but it is hard to walk away from that one and not be worried that they are a two-man show. McDonald and Mitch Mascari combined for 51 of Geneva’s 66 points.

There are plenty of teams that get by like that, but the Vikings are unlikely to stay undefeated for very long without other players stepping up. I’ve seen senior Kross Garth score more before. Junior Joshua Preston had eight.

Those of you that follow me on Twitter know I’ve been live streaming the last minute of games. It really paid off tonight, you can watch Mascari’s game-winning three in overtime.

Read all about Geneva’s overtime win against Wheaton North and watch the finish.

Friday’s top games

Brother Rice 65, Mount Carmel 61: Nice rivalry win. Marquise Kennedy did it all with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Josh Redic has been on fire for the Caravan, he scored 24.

Naperville North 53, Prosser 50: Loved seeing this matchup on the schedule and almost went to this game just because it was weird and cool. I’m not sure how it managed to happen but boy do we need more games like this with teams from very different conferences meeting up. Looks like it was a good one. Tom Welch had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks and Riley Thompson scored 18. Sophomore Norvell Meadows led Prosser with 13.

No. 4 Marian Catholic 57, Carmel 33: The Spartans outscored the Corsairs 23-4 in the fourth quarter. This conference game was played at the historic Wharton Fieldhouse in Moline. Ahron Ulis had 22 points and Chris White added 18.

Oak Park 61, Glenbard West 46: Dashon Enoch was out sick but the Huskies rolled behind Chase Robinson’s 15 points. Nice road win.

Whitehaven (TN) 73, No. 6 Young 65: It was a rough night on the road for several Public League powerhouses. The Dolphins lose in Memphis. Twitter says the second half was intense.

Olive Branch (MS) 65, No. 9 Simeon 59: This was at the same event in Memphis. Antonio Reeves had 20 points for the Wolverines and junior Sincere Callwood had 10 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. He played well at Pontiac, I wouldn’t be shocked if he worked his way into he starting lineup at some point.

Simeon lost to Olive Branch, Mississippi 65-59

Salesia (CA) 63, No. 1 Curie 57: The first loss of the season for the Condors. This game was in Paducah, Ky. DaJuan Gordon scored 18 and Ramean Hinton added 15 points.

St. Rita 39, White Station 38: The Mustangs win in New Orleans. Jerimiah Oden had 17 and Javon Cooley added 14 points.

No. 3 Bloom 72, Rich East 57: Big game for Donovan Newby with 25 points. Deshawn Williams added 13.

Lockport 51, Lincoln-Way East 44: I really enjoyed watching the Porters play at Pontiac. Jake Karli had 19 points and seven boards and big man Tommy Halatek added 10 points and 11 boards. Matt Hatzopoulos scored 15.

Montini 66, No. 21 St. Laurence 62: Hello Montini.

Joliet Central 52, Crete-Monee 26: Congrats to Larry Thompson on his 300th win. He’s done a tremendous job with the Steelmen.

Lemont 65, Oak Lawn 46: Big night for Drake recruit Nate Ferguson with 27 points and 18 rebounds.

Richards 68, TF South 61 OT: I’ll be keeping an eye on the Bulldogs this year, they are a fun team to watch. They pull this one out. I still like the Rebels’ personnel. Maybe they are starting to figure things out.

Downers Grove South 59, Morton 53: Two teams that appear to be better than most expected them to be this season. Downers wins the battle of the Mustangs, a nice rebound after losing a tight on in the final at York.

No. 24 Waukegan 64, Lake Forest 46: Bryant Brown had 19 points and eight rebounds and Andrew White added 16 points and seven assists. Check out Bryant Brown’s dunk…

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