Trying something new
Scatter.
That's the goal of DuPage County boys basketball teams heading into the holiday tournament season. It's a time to get away from familiar conference foes and seek competition not normally seen.
Some teams are taking that goal to heart.
Glenbard East (7-0), after claiming the Elgin Holiday Tournament title last season, is switching gears and heading to the State Farm Holiday Classic beginning on Dec. 27 in Bloomington and Normal. With the tandem of Northern Illinois-bound point guard Zach Miller and Illinois State-bound Johnny Hill, the Rams earned the top seed in the 16-team Class 3A-4A bracket.
Six-foot-eight Max Bielfeldt and Peoria Notre Dame are seeded second, followed by Normal Community and Champaign Centennial.
“I like the idea of getting out of town,” said Rams coach Scott Miller, whose team opens against Grayslake Central. “On paper it looks like a pretty good tournament. We're taking it as a business trip where we get to play some different competition.”
Neuqua Valley (9-0), runner-up to Glenbard East last season at Elgin, returns to Chesbrough Field House as the top seed. The Wildcats, despite graduating a bunch of talent, have enjoyed a stellar start with a balanced group led by Jim Stocki.
The Wildcats, who open against Willowbrook on Monday, expect to be pushed by fellow top-four seeds Elgin, Rockford Auburn and Wheaton North.
“Last year we were on a collision course with Glenbard East,” said Neuqua Valley coach Todd Sutton. “Everyone knew that. With this team we know that the Willowbrook game is all we can concentrate about.”
Benet (7-0), which began play Wednesday at the Plainfield North Holiday Tournament with a win over Lockport, competes in two holiday tournaments. The Redwings return to the prestigious Proviso West on Dec. 27 for the first time since 1986 in search of their first semifinal berth in 10 appearances.
The Redwings boast Northwestern-bound point guard Dave Sobolewski and Wisconsin-bound center Frank Kaminsky in a field loaded with talent, including Morgan Park and Louisville recruit Wayne Blackshear. Hinsdale Central opens with powerful Proviso East on Dec. 27.
How loaded is Proviso West? Hillcrest was knocked out in the first round last season by Von Steuben, Benet's first-round opponent, and went on to win the Class 3A state title.
“These are some of the strongest programs in the Chicagoland area,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp. “You're going to have to play well for four straight days to be successful.”
York's Jack Tosh Holiday Classic, also starting Dec. 27, is again highlighted by a slew of area talent. Top-seeded Maine South is complemented by No. 2 Downers Grove South, No. 3 Oswego and No. 4 St. Ignatius, which is led by 6-10 Illinois recruit Nnanna Egwu and plays its first-round game against St. Francis.
Wheaton Warrenville South opens with No. 6 Riverside-Brookfield, while Naperville North plays No. 5 Brother Rice and No. 7 York faces Palatine.
“We're not even thinking about winning the tournament right now,” said Downers South coach Jay Baum, whose team plays Glenbard South in the opening round. “The teams are so strong, you can't afford to look ahead.”
Immaculate Conception, Brooks and Eisenhower join the field at Waubonsie Valley's Matt Laurich Classic. The host Warriors anchor the Green Division with Glenbard North, a matchup that opens the tournament's pool play at 2:30 p.m. Monday.
“I think it's going to be a very competitive field,” said Waubonsie Valley coach Steve Weemer. “Every game is going to be competitive and good. No cheapies. You'll have to get after it or you're not going to win.”
The Wheeling Hardwood Classic, beginning on Dec. 27, brings back another diverse field of teams that includes Naperville Central and Lake Park. The Redhawks open against Prospect while Lake Park faces Maine West.
In its first varsity season Metea Valley heads to the Chuck Dayton Tournament at DeKalb, joining Hinsdale South. Downers Grove North and Lisle compete at the Lemont Christmas Classic while Montini plays at St. Anthony in Effingham.
Unbeaten Wheaton Academy, which won last year's Glenbard West Holiday Classic title in its first appearance, aims to repeat with all-tournament returner Luke Johnson. The Warriors start their defense Monday against former Private School League rival Timothy Christian in round-robin pool play.
Glenbard West, Fenton and West Chicago join Nazareth in the Green Pool. Addison Trail and Northridge Prep are in the White Pool with Wheaton Academy and Timothy Christian.
“We weren't quite sure going into the year how we were going to look, having graduated so much,” said Warriors coach Paul Ferguson. “But we've been very pleased so far.”