Bailey's big efforts add up in a Carmel victory
Carmel Catholic boys basketball fans didn't see a lot of Shareif Bailey the last two winters, even though the guard was on the varsity roster.
"We were really good last year (school-record 25 wins), we were big and had a lot of good guards," Bailey said. "I was just standing back and watching Billy (Kirby, Cardinal Stritch) do well and learning from him."
Zack Ryan is seeing lots and lots of Bailey this year, since the Corsairs' first-year coach also has the junior in math class.
"He's like, 'Coach, it's cool. I got you in class,' " Ryan said. "I said, (jokingly) 'Well, it could be cool, depending on how you do.' "
Through two games, it's been wonderfully cool.
Bailey racked up 27 points, 9 steals and 6 assists Wednesday morning, as Carmel improved to 2-0 in the eighth annual Crystal Lake Central Thanksgiving tournament with an 82-46 win over Belvidere North.
Western Illinois-commit Chris Duff added 13 points, 5 steals, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in his season debut, and fellow junior Zavier Barnes came off the bench to contribute 12 points and 7 rebounds. Under the 28-year-old Ryan, Carmel is playing an up-tempo game. The Corsairs played more of a half-court, defensive style under former coach Tim Bowen.
"It fits our guys well," Ryan said. "Playing that style and at that pace, when you don't have a lot of size and you got some really good guards, is good for us. They really thrive in it, and they really like it. But it's been an adjustment for them, just because they've never done it before."
Bailey had 20 points, 8 assists and just 1 turnover in Carmel's season-opening, 84-67 win over McHenry on Monday night. He had never posted double-digit points in a varsity game before this season.
"When he gets it going, there are not many guys better than him," Ryan said. "I think he's one of the best-kept secrets around."
Bailey isn't a secret to Duff.
"We've been friends ever since sixth grade, so I know what he's capable of doing," Duff said.
The 5-foot-9 Bailey shot 13 of 17 from the floor against Belvidere North. He took over in the second quarter, scoring 14 points in helping Carmel stretch a 16-15 lead after one quarter to 40-27 by halftime. Three times Bailey had a steal and layup. His 7 field goals (on 8 shots) in the quarter also included a pair of midrange jumpers.
He's just happy to be getting the chance to play.
"It's definitely a big opportunity for me," said Bailey, who shot 1 of 4 from three-point range. "I just got to take the shots when I have them and play as hard as I can."
Carmel's pressure caused all sorts of problems for Belvidere North, which committed 31 turnovers, many of which led to easy baskets in transition for the Corsairs. As it hoped, Carmel got its athletic guards in space.
Sophomore Brian Julien started and scored 5 points. Carmel also received a strong effort off the bench from 6-5 Timothy Owens (8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks). All 10 Corsairs that played scored.
"Today we were at our best, with the way our fastbreak and defense looked," Ryan said. "We were forcing a lot of turnovers."
Duff, Carmel's only returning starter, transferred to Waukegan during the summer. But with Waukegan's teachers on strike, he transferred back to Carmel in the fall. He had to wait 30 days in order to be eligible to play basketball and that period ended Tuesday.
"I was glad to be back," said Duff, who made a verbal commitment to WIU in August. "I know a lot of guys here and they were happy to have me back. They welcomed me with open arms."
Carmel scored 24 points in both the second and third quarters against Belvidere North. The Corsairs never scored 80 points in a game last season and only twice hit 70, including in their sectional-final loss to North Chicago.
"I love (the new tempo)," Duff said. "The offense fits everyone's game."