Proviso West field doubling the fun

To say the least, Proviso West Holiday Tournament organizers are getting ambitious.

Tournament executive director Joe Spagnolo announced last week that the 2012 field will double from 16 to 32 boys basketball teams. In addition to last year's 16 teams, among the newcomers will be Downers Grove South, Glenbard East and Wheaton Academy.

"The new teams that we have brought in have the perfect balance of programs with recent state series success, varied geographical representation and individual underclass players that are high on the radar," Spagnolo said in a statement.

For the teams joining the field for the 52nd annual event, the opportunity to be a part of the historic tournament was difficult to pass up. For Glenbard East, which the last two years competed in the State Farm Classic in Bloomington and Normal, the decision was a no-brainer.

"We just decided that Bloomington-Normal was too far away for that long a time," said Rams coach Scott Miller. "Getting a chance to compete against great teams like they have will be good for us."

Spagnolo announced eight of the 16 new teams including Maine South, Nazareth, Oswego, St. Charles East and Stevenson. The other eight newcomers will be announced at a later date.

"We still have a couple of spots open by design to see who else wants to be part of this true basketball festival," Spagnolo said.

No. 1 from 3:

Neuqua Valley senior guard Tyler Sutton set a new program record as the Wildcats (12-9) made their annual trip to Rockton Hononegah's King Classic.

Over the four games at Hononegah, Sutton reached 77 three-pointers on the season. He made 51 percent of his 3-point shots under good defensive pressure, said his father, Wildcats coach Todd Sutton.

Neuqua's prior single-season record of 72 was shared by Pat Brusveen in 2003 and current North Central College preseason All-America candidate Derek Raridon in 2009.

Tyler Sutton was named to the six-person all-tournament team after scoring 75 points, grabbing 18 rebounds and shooting 53 percent from the floor while helping the Wildcats to a 2-2 mark.

Healing up:

Benet junior Pat McInerney represented the lone returning starter for the Redwings heading into this season. He's finally getting a chance to show that experience.

McInerney saw his first court time since the very start of the season in a Jan. 6 loss to Carmel. The 6-foot-5 forward already has added a much-needed presence in the lineup.

"He adds a lot in just about every facet of the game," said Redwings coach Gene Heidkamp. "We're a bigger team and a deeper team with him."

McInerney's still not quite 100 percent healthy and he's trying to build up his basketball legs. In two games, though, he's averaging 9 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

His return is good timing for the Redwings (13-4, 1-1) as they try to bounce back from the Carmel loss and defend their East Suburban Catholic Conference title. Benet faces Marian Catholic (9-6, 2-0), Notre Dame (14-4, 2-0) and St. Viator (15-2, 3-0) in the coming weeks.

Adding McInerney to mix with 6-foot-8 sophomore Sean O'Mara, averaging 14 points per game, and a bevy of perimeter shooters can only help Benet get on a roll in the ESCC.

"There may not be one stat that jumps out with him," Heidkamp said, "but he adds something in every facet."

Topsy-turvy tourney:

The sixth annual Interstate Eight Conference boys basketball tournament kicks off with four games Friday, including No. 5 seed Lisle (7-12) hosting Coal City.

Herscher, undefeated at 15-0, is the top seed which puts the Tigers under fire. The top seed has never won the tournament, which this year moves to Wilmington for middle round games, and to Coal City for the third-place and title games on Jan. 27.

The top seeds Herscher, Seneca, Manteno and Plano open tournament play on Jan. 21.

"This tournament hasn't been kind to No. 1 seeds," said Lisle coach Mark LaScala, who with a win would play No. 4 seed Plano and with a loss would get either Reed-Custer or Wilmington.

"I think that bye on Friday can hurt you as much as help you," LaScala said.

In the 2011 title game No. 2 seed Dwight beat No. 1 Herscher, with Lisle losing 48-45 to Westmont in three overtimes in the fifth-place game. The Lions' top finish was third, in 2010, over Westmont.

As far as seeds, LaScala said: "There's not much difference between a fifth seed and a 10th seed. Unless we lose to Westmont the other night we're fifth or 11th. There's a big logjam in the middle. I think these first-round games will be pretty close."

Lisle beat Westmont on Friday and Reed-Custer on Tuesday to win for the fourth time in five games. The fact that senior forward Kazim Khan, who averages around 19 points, has scored less than guard Cam Bell in those last two games is actually a positive. Bell and Khan have been the two constants, but the Lions need more from players like forwards Julian Velazquez and Nick Saul, who have stepped up in those last two games.

"The recipe with Kazim scoring 28 and everybody else not scoring, it wasn't working," LaScala said. "It's just more effective to have three, four guys contribute to the scoring instead of one."

Soup's on:

After Downers Grove South (13-2, 4-0 West Suburban Gold) beat Glenbard North 66-60 at Saturday's Downers Grove North Winter Classic, Mustangs coach Jay Baum said he was going to buy center Greg Garro lunch for a week.

Baum felt Garro earned the meals after a tremendous week of play in wins over Fremd, Leyden and the Panthers. Against Glenbard North the 6-foot-6 senior contributed 6 points, 9 rebounds and a key fourth-quarter blocked shot.

"Greg Garro got his hands on so many loose balls, offensive rebounds, a block," Baum said. "His stats are not reflected in the score book but we don't (beat Glenbard North) without him."

Garro's effort is especially important because of the preseason ACL injury suffered by 6-5 Nick Vanek, who was projected to be the Mustangs' main post presence this season.

"Greg was honestly our second choice, but he's playing very well," Baum said.