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February 20, 2007

Evan Turner apologizes

St. Joseph's star forward feels bad about the war of words with Simeon's Derrick Rose on Saturday...

Here's an exclusive excerpt from this week's issue of Ill. Hoops, which features Turner's diary:

"The next thing, I am pretty sure people are aware Derrick Rose and I had words during the game. In my opinion, it was just the heat of the moment and the competitiveness in both of us.

We were both just trying to lead our team to victory, and emotions ran high. To anyone who watched this game, just take note to the simple fact you should let your game do the talking. I feel ashamed that I let words get in the way of my game. I not only disrespected myself, but also the game of basketball. Coming out to play and getting the win can be done with class, and in that stage of time, I forgot about that and just tried to go to war, which wasn’t cool.

I don’t have any problem with Derrick Rose. He is a very talented player, and I wish him and his team the best of luck in the playoffs, so we can hopefully meet up with them again."

This week's Ill. Hoops issue also includes a cover story on North Lawndale, a profile of Hubbard's Aaron Johnson, coverage from the City-Suburban Showdown, polls, photos and more. For more info on Ill. Hoops and a subscription to the e-magazine, go to www.illhoops.com.

February 18, 2007

Dwight McCombs helps Young rout Curie

Dolphins 62, Condors 46...

McCombs scored 16 points to lead Young, which has won 11 consecutive games. Six-foot junior Alan Roberts was a warrior, competing for every lose ball and draning three three-pointers. He finished with 13 points.

Robert Sankey led Curie with 15 points. The Condors rely on three-point shooting to make up for a lack of size. They were ice cold. Sakey was the only player to make a three.

Farragut escapes with a close win over Hope

Admirals 56, Eagles 54...

A big rebound by Farragut center Mike Dunigan off Darius Stowers' missed free throw helped seal the win for the Admirals.

Stowers was fouled again and converted the second of two free throws. Dunigan stole the inbounds pass and then missed both free throws, but Hope never managed another shot.

Isiah Williams had 17 and Marvin Thigpen added 12 points for Farragut.

Eric Burgin and Trarnell Welch each scored 18 for the Eagles.

Live from The Pavilion

Updates coming all day from the Public League quarterfinals...

Hope vs. Farragut, 1 pm
Young vs. Curie, 3 pm
Lincoln Park vs. Washington, 5 pm
Marshall vs. Simeon, 7 pm

February 17, 2007

War of words: Simeon's Derrick Rose vs. St. Joseph's Evan Turner

Simeon knocks off the Chargers 74-66...

Just before the second half of the Simeon-St. Joseph game began Saturday at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan arena, St. Joseph forward Evan Turner turned around and told the media sitting courtside exactly what he thought of Simeon guard Derrick Rose’s ability.

It wasn’t complimentary.

Turner followed his words up with an impressive second half performance, but it wasn’t enough as the top-rated Wolverines beat the Chargers 74-66 in front of 7,689.

“I was better than [Rose],” Turner said. “With me guarding him he didn’t do much. He knows that and I know that.”

Turner scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. During one stretch of the second half, he scored 20 consecutive points for the Chargers.

But Rose was dominant throughout the game. He nailed four three pointers in the first quarter, helping Simeon jump out to a 16-4 lead. Rose finished with 29 points, seven assists and four steals.

“We both know who is better,” Rose said. “He’s just doing this to get a little bit of publicity. We’ll see who does more on the next level.”

An assist from Rose to Flowers, who had 23 points and 14 rebounds, put Simeon ahead 53-38 with 2:56 to play in the third quarter.

“I kinda started out bad missing shots and the Simeon kids got into it calling me overrated,” Turner said.

Turner scored on a layup and was fouled with 3:50 to play in the game. Before shooting the free throw,

Turner turned around and said something to Rose. An official approached Turner at the line and defused the incident.

“They called a lot of soft fouls on us when he had the ball,” Rose said. “It wasn’t like he did anything that impressive.”

Kevin Johnson had 12 points and nine rebounds for Simeon (22-2) and Bryant Orange added eight points and five rebounds.

“[Rose] was awesome,” St. Joseph coach Gene Pingatore said. “The book on him going in was the he wasn’t going to be an outside shooter. Then in the first quarter he killed us. Putting [Turner] on him helped a lot. It took away his outside shot.”

Garrett Leffelman scored 10 for the Chargers (20-4) and Demetri McCamey added nine points.

There is a possibility of a second Rose vs. Turner showdown. Simeon and St. Joseph could meet in a supersectional game.

“I don’t think it’s personal [between Rose and Turner],” Pingatore said. “It’s more respect. They both thrive on competition.”

Who said Derrick Rose can't shoot?

Pooh connects on four three-pointers in the first quarter, Simeon leads St. Joseph 36-30 at the half...

Simeon jumped out to a 16-4 lead but the Chargers tightened things up in the second quarter.

Lafayette Gray's three-pointer at the buzzer brought St. Joseph within six points.

The Wolverines are dominating the boards 20-7.

Jeff Jordan's fourth quarter surge leads Loyola over Warren

Loyola 78, Warren 75...

Jordan scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, he finished 18. Matt Sullivan led the Ramblers with 22 points.

Logan Derrick demonstrated his shooting prowess, scoring 22 points for Warren, he was 7 of 9 from three-point range.

Ceola Clark also had 22 for the Blue Devils and Shannon Adams added 15.

Loyola leads Warren 42-32 at the half

Logan Derrick has drained four three-pointers, but the Ramblers lead...

Derrick has 12 points, but Loyola dominated the second quarter to take the lead after the first quarter ended 18-18.

Matt Sullivan leads the Ramblers with 11 points and D. J. Glavan has 10.

February 15, 2007

Ryan Hare's free throw gives Marshall an 80-79 win over Senn

A recap and all the other second round scores...

A sign on the wall of Marshall’s gym says “U can’t hide,’’ and that’s
especially true when Ryan Hare is chasing you.

Hare sank two free throws with one second left to give No. 10 Marshall an
80-79 win over visiting Senn Thursday in the second round of the Public
League playoffs.

The Commandos (19-5) erased a 15-point deficit in the final 3:20.

Senn (17-10) led 72-57, but had four starters foul out. Marshall used its
full court press with devastating effect, forcing six turnovers in the final
minute.

Hare and Darius Smith (33 points) combined to score the Commandos final 28
points. Hare had 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, including four
in the final 36 seconds as Marshall ended the game on an 8-0 run.

Curtis Johnson led Senn with 24 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and four
steals. Graciano Negron had 21 points and seven rebounds and Byron Pickens
added 12 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

Simeon 80, Hubbard 53
Washington 88, Crane 73
Young 75, Julian 73
Hope 80, Fenger 78
Curie 68, Morgan Park 65
Lincoln Park 71, Vocational 56
Farragut 59, Foreman 45

Richards hangs on to beat Mount Carmel

Bulldogs win 63-62...

Richards led by 20 points midway through the third quarter. Then Mount Carmel stormed back.

The Bulldogs' Eliud Gonzalez hit a big three in the fourth quarter to put the lead back to seven. Then Steve Filer completed a three-point play for Mount Carmel to cut the lead to four.

Gonzalez went 4 of 4 from the foul line to seal the win.

February 14, 2007

Update: Today's Public League games cancelled

Due to the weather, all of today's games will be played tomorrow.

Time for round two

Here's a look at the second round of the Public League playoffs...

Hubbard at Simeon
Senn at Marshall
Fenger vs. Hope at Englewood
Foreman vs. Farragut at Collins
Morgan Park at Curie
Julian at Young
Vocational at Lincoln Park
Crane at Washington


Best game: Crane at Washington. Both teams spent most of the season ranked. The Minutemen feel they've been underappreciated this season and plan on using the city tournament to prove that. Sound familiar? They did they same thing last season, advancing all the way to the title game at the United Center, where they lost to Simeon. However, Crane is a tough matchup for Washington. The Minutemen don't have a big man to match up with Crane's Indiana-bound forward Brandon McGee.

Possible upset: Foreman vs. Farragut. Due to a flooded gym, the Admirals have lost their home court advantage. The game will be played at Collins, which is a bad break. The Hornets are young and talented and have already proven that they can spring a big win now and again. Farragut center Mike Dunigan has been playing very well lately, but the Admirals have to get him the ball more.

Watch for a great finish: Julian-Young, Morgan Park-Curie and Fenger-Hope should all be fought down to the last second. There aren't really any favorites in those three games, it may come down to who wants it more. That being the case, keep an eye on Julian and Fenger. Both teams have played very well but stayed under the radar most of the season. The Titans win over Von Steuben wasn't really that huge of an upset. There is plenty of talent at Fenger (Quentin Williford, Ray Gregory, Illya Glover). The Eagles counter with Eric Bergin, who has put up eye-popping numbers all season.

February 09, 2007

Undefeated no more: Kellen Thornton scores 17 points as Hillcrest beats Richards

Friday night action: Hillcrest beats Richards by 10, T. F. North knocks off Thornwood...

A lifetime of backyard basketball helped T. F. North forward Landon Cox prepare for his assignment Friday against Thornwood.

“Me, [Thornwood senior] Cameron [Snelling] and Landon all grew up together, playing in the backyard and stuff,” Thornwood star Trey Blue said.

Cox, who also plays wide receiver for the Meteors and signed with Northern Illinois this week, spent the game guarding Blue.

“I knew what I was getting into,” Cox said. “He’s my cousin through mar