'Showdown' at Sears Centre lives up to its name
One of the most-anticipated matchups of the boys basketball season is finally here.
Two of the state's top teams, Benet (19-0) and Glenbard East (14-2), meet at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the third and final game of the 14th annual High School Hoops Showdown at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
Glenbard East also played in last year's event and beat Jacobs 77-51.
“Our kids really enjoyed the experience and they're looking forward to it again,” said Glenbard East coach Scott Miller. “It's a little bit of a role reversal from last year. With three new starters in our lineup we're looking at this as a measuring stick to see where we stand.”
The middle game features Schaumburg (7-8) against Lockport (12-5) at 6:30 p.m. The 4:30 p.m. opener is the 70th meeting of rivals Marmion (8-9) and Aurora Central Catholic (8-9).
The finale features four Division I recruits in Glenbard East's Zach Miller (Northern Illinois) and Johnny Hill (Illinois State) and Benet's 7-foot Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) and point guard David Sobolewski (Northwestern).
But Sobolewski is battling back problems that forced him to miss Saturday's game with Oswego and come out of Tuesday's game with St. Viator after a quarter.
“We really hope he's going to play but we're not certain right now,” said Benet coach Gene Heidkamp, whose team has an East Suburban Catholic Conference game tonight at Marist. “I know he wants to play and if he can, he'll be out there.”
Kaminsky has taken over some of the ballhandling duties in Sobolewski's absence. Matt Parisi has developed into a solid third option for the Redwings, who beat Glenbard East 68-54 in last year's sectional final.
“Those guys are a machine over there,” Scott Miller said of a team with only two single-digit victories.
Glenbard East's losses were 78-64 to Peoria Notre Dame, the state's top-ranked Class 3A team, and 65-59 on Saturday to state-ranked Proviso East.
“Some of the juniors and sophomores have been on the big stage now and they've never been in those kinds of games before,” said Zach Miller. “We'll all be better for March and what's to come.”
A conventional 3-point play just before the regulation buzzer helped Lockport beat Schaumburg 56-46 in overtime in last year's Pontiac Holiday tournament.
The Porters, who are led by 6-5 Karrington Ward, lost three straight games in mid-December to fall to 6-4. Their only loss since then was 48-37 to defending Class 4A state champion Simeon in the Pontiac semifinals.
“Two of our biggest things are shot selection and taking care of the basketball,” said Lockport coach Lawrence Thompson. “We're blessed to have kids who play hard and play from start to finish.”
Schaumburg knows it will have to work hard to combat Lockport's discipline and size advantage.
“We know if we're not there to rebound it could get ugly,” said Saxons' senior and scoring leader Javon McDonald (15.9 ppg).
“We have to limit them from taking the shots where they want to take them,” said Schaumburg coach Matt Walsh, “which is in the paint.”
The opener features Aurora rivals in a rematch of last year's memorable game where Marmion scored 24 of the last 28 points to win 54-47.
“It's a great atmosphere and a lot of fun for the kids,” said Aurora Central Catholic coach Nate Drye. “It's something where you feel privileged to be in a game like that.
“Hopefully we can end up with a better result.”
ACC did in last year's Class 3A regional semifinal matchup with a 64-49 win to take a 35-34 series lead.
“We have a lot of young guys on our team and it will be a big challenge for them,” said Marmion senior guard Eddy Grahovec.
“Being new to the rivalry, it's something everyone around school makes sure you know about right away,” said first-year Marmion coach Ryan Paradise. “It's a great environment for the kids.”