Showdown will again feature top area teams

Schaumburg's boys basketball program picked up more attention during a postseason run where it picked off higher-seeded Fremd and Deerfield.

It also got the attention of promoters Bob Rylko and David Kaplan of the 14th annual High School Hoops Showdown. Schaumburg was picked to play the middle game of the tripleheader against Lockport at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011.

The Saxons have a solid core of returnees - led by point guard Javon McDonald, guard Mark Bielanski and forwards Kurt Kempema and Christian Spandiary - from its run to the Class 4A sectional final, where they lost to Waukegan and Jereme Richmond.

They lost in overtime to Lockport last season in a first-round game of the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. The Porters were the Southwest Suburban Blue co-champions and return 6-5 swingman Karrington Ward.

The 8:30 p.m. headliner is a rematch of the Neuqua Valley sectional final where Benet (26-4) beat Glenbard East (27-2). Benet features Division I prospects David Sobolewski and Frank Kaminsky and Glenbard East returns standouts Zack Miller and Jonny Hill.

Marmion and Aurora Central Catholic play at 4:30 p.m.