Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 15, 2019

A lousy crowd tonight in LaGrange and for three quarters it sure did look like all the fans that decided not to come had might the right decision.

Thankfully things heated up at the end for a fun finish. My primary reason for choosing the Glenbard West-Lyons game tonight was to see Hilltoppers senior Evan Taylor and he delivered. The SIU recruit is definitely a strong All-Area contender. And boy does Lyons senior Nolan Niego play hard. He earned tonight’s notebook photo.

Glenbard West beat Lyons 48-45: There are likely only a handful of players in the area averaging more than 20 points and double-digit rebounds. Glenbard West’s Evan Taylor is in that elite group, averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds. But the SIU recruit struggled mightily on Tuesday in LaGrange. Taylor was able to get the shots he wanted, but they would not go in. Instead of sulking or giving up, the 6-6 senior crashed the boards and did what he could to get to the free-throw line. Read the story…

Ben Pope was over at Bogan to see if Kenwood could give the No. 2 Bengals a challenge. Bogan won 81-59 and Rashaun Agee turned in another Player of the Year caliber performance.

Ben also wrote a feature on one of the area’s most intriguing seniors.

Bryant Brown leads resurgent Waukegan, awaits elusive D-1 offer:Last winter, even Bryant Brown’s best efforts weren’t enough to keep Waukegan afloat. The 6-6 forward averaged more than 23 points and eight rebounds per game, yet the Bulldogs still crashed to an 11-16 record. This winter, Brown is replicating the same dominance, and it’s finally showing up in the standings. Read the story…

And it is Tuesday, so the latest episode of No Shot Clock was released at noon. Joe Henricksen and I hit a ton of topics.

No Shot Clock, Ep. 90: Upsets? Discussing a season of parity

-Breaking down the POY race

-Why West Aurora hasn’t cracked the Super 25

-The area’s best young coaches

That and more…

Tuesday’s top games

Ag. Science 69, Fenger 61: Looks like it would be fun to just cover the White-South for awhile. The Cyclones lost a heartbreaker to Brooks last week but pulled off a big win tonight. Kyle Rowan had 16 and Corey Jones added 15.

Ridgewood 73, St. Edward 59: Kevin Czyzewski scored 25 points and Enes Prijic added 23.

Lockport 57, Joliet West 48: A lousy night for Joliet overall, but I’m actually a bit encouraged by this score. It appears the young Tigers are starting to become competitive. Jake Karli scored 15 and Tommy Halatek had 13 for the Porters. Another big game for Joliet’s Jamere Hill with 25 points.

Proviso East 85, Willowbrook 58: Eye-opening win for the Pirates at home. Michael Osbourne scored 20 and James Hobson added 16. Promising junior Everett Stubblefield scored 13 for the Warriors.

Lindblom 59, Catalyst-Maria 31: The Eagles were discussed a bit on No Shot Clock this week. They are now 15-2. Marshun Williams scored 16 and Myles Twyman added 14 points.

Solorio 63, DuSable 60: Sincere Key had 19 points and seven rebounds and freshman Donovan Jones had 16 points and six assists.

South Shore 60, Perspectives 55: Freshman Jalen Kittler had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists. That’s a new name to me. Senior Mike Shelton added 17 points and six assists.

No. 4 Morgan Park 90, Corliss 84: The Trojans gave Morgan Park all it could handle and look like they will be a force in the state playoffs and a real threat in the city playoffs. Adam Miller had a monster night with 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Marcus Watson added 16 points and 12 assists.

Dunbar 93, Tilden 32: The Mighty Men roll behind Tyrese Scurlock’s 28 points and 10 rebounds.

No. 8 Simeon 78, Vocational 59: Don’t look now, but the Wolverines are on a winning streak. Antonio Reeves had 24 points and seven rebounds and Kejuan Clements added 17 points and six assists.

No. 1 Curie 87, Hyde Park 56: Balanced scoring for the Condors. Damari Nixon, Justin Harmon and Armond Williams all had 13 points and DaJuan Gordon added 12.

Andrew 72, Stagg 70 2OT: Congrats to the T-Bolts, who snapped a 16-game losing streak.

No. 11 Bolingbrook 70, Joliet Central 40: Statement score for the Raiders. Joseph Yesufu scored 20 and Kam Leonard added 15 points and 11 rebounds. Brilliant start to a big week for Bolingbrook.

Notre Dame 43, No. 20 Loyola 36: Well, looks like the young sophomores are finding their way. Sophomore Anthony Sayles made six of six free throws in the final minute to seal the win. He scored 14. Soph Troy D’Amico also had 14.

TF South 60, Lincoln-Way Central 50: The Rebels are still a team to watch. Elijah Stewart led with 21 points and six steals. James Drummond had 15 points and five rebounds.

St. Rita 52, Marist 49 OT: Joel Watts had the game-winner. Javon Cooley had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Mustangs.

Riverside-Brookfield 77, St Francis 62: A big game for Patrick Hanley with 28 points and Zach Vaia added 18.

No. 7 Marian Catholic 53, Providence 51: It came down to the last shot and Ahron Ulis drained it, take a look below. He scored 26.

TUESDAY’S FULL SCOREBOARD