Scores from TFS, TFN, Marian Catholic, and SSC
By Mike Clark
LANSING, Ill. (February 27, 2023) – TF South boys basketball wrapped up what coach Todd Gillespie called a “bittersweet” season by losing 76-59 to host Bloom on Wednesday in a Class 4A regional semifinal.
The Red Wolves finished with their first winning record (17-14 overall, 9-4 South Suburban Blue) since going 19-13 in 2018-19.
But they fell short of a couple objectives.
“Our goal was to go into the playoffs (having won) 20 games,” Gillespie said, “Our other goal was to win a regional.”
TF South boys basketball has never reached that last benchmark. To get over that hurdle, Gillespie said, the Red Wolves have more work to do in the regular season.
This year, they were seeded 11th among 18 teams in the St. Rita Sectional. To have a better shot at a regional title, Gillespie said, “we need to be in the top half (of the sectional seeds).”
Against Bloom, the Red Wolves fell behind 31-17 at halftime but cut the deficit to eight in the fourth quarter before falling short.
North Park recruit Caleb Newman led South with 23 points, Romello Ali had 16, and Sam Townsend added 10,
Townsend was the lone junior playing big minutes for a senior-heavy team this year and will be relied on to lead what will be a younger squad next season.
But the Red Wolves’ JV team finished 19-8 overall and 11-2 in the South Suburban Blue, offering hope for the future. Players to watch moving forward will be current sophomores Jayden Preston, a 5-10 guard; Eion Ikner, a 6-5 forward; and Camarion Cooper, also a 6-5 forward.
Girls wrestling
Making her second appearance at the IHSA state tournament, Red Wolves sophomore Quincy Onyiaorah went 1-2 in the 120-pound bracket on Friday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. She won her opener 8-7 before losing by pin and dropping a 7-6 decision.
TF North
Boys basketball
The Meteors (21-5) won their first regional title since 2011, beating Bremen 29-28 on Wednesday and host Kankakee 49-48 on Friday in Class 3A action.
Chase Abraham scored 10 points against Bremen, while Jayden Small and Jevon Warren each added eight. Small led the way against Kankakee with 16 points, while Abraham and Warren both had 15.
North plays host Hillcrest this Wednesday in a Class 3A sectional semifinal.
Marian Catholic
Boys basketball
The Spartans won their fifth regional title in seven years (not counting the 201 COVID season when there were no playoffs), beating host Ag. Science 42-26 in a Class 3A matchup on Friday.
Tre Davis had 10 points and Jonah Weathers added nine for Marian (26-7), which has won five in a row and 13 of 14.
Weathers hit four 3-pointers and scored 22 points in a 69-36 semifinal win over Richards on Wednesday. Quentin Jones contributed 15 points and Donovan Juzang scored 10.
Marian plays Lemont in the Hillcrest Sectional semifinals this Wednesday.
Girls basketball
Marian won its fifth straight sectional and 13th overall on Thursday, beating Morgan Park 45-34 in a Class 3A matchup at Hillcrest.
Madison Davis led the Spartans (28-7) with 15 points and Khamille Jackson added 10.
In Tuesday’s semifinals, Marian opened a 12-3 first-quarter lead and cruised past Kankakee 38-22, Davis scored 15 points and Alainna Poisson added 12.
Illiana Christian
Boys basketball
The Vikings (17-5) solit their final two regular-season games, losing 60-32 to Lafayette Jefferson on Tuesday and beating Hanover Central 54-50 in overtime on Friday.
Illiana opens Class 2A Whiting Sectional play on Wednesday against North Newton.
South Suburban College
Men’s basketball
The NJCAA Division II No. 5 Bulldogs split two games last week to finish the regular season at 25-5.
SSC beat host Kishwaukee 104-47 on Tuesday and lost 77-64 at Division II No. 7 Danville on Friday.
Nakyel Shelton had 31 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in the win against Kishwaukee. Damontae Taylor added 21 points, four rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Julius Byrd (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) also reached double figures.
Four Bulldogs scored in double figures against Danville: Jalen Houston (18 points, 5 rebounds), Shelton (16 points, 8 rebounds), Taylor (11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals), and Byrd (11 points, 3 steals).
South Suburban is the No. 1 seed in the Region IV playoffs and has a first-round bye. The Bulldogs will host the Oakton/McHenry winner on Thursday,
Related
- Red Wolves wrestler Cortez Jones finishes in top eight at state – other local scores (February 21, 2023)
- Record-setting season ends for TF South girls basketball – other local scores (February 17, 2023)
- Red Wolves basketball teams playing hot entering playoffs – local scores (February 13, 2023)