Downers Grove North proves resilient at WW South tournament
Tough weekend.
But at least it ended on a high note for Downers Grove North's boys basketball team.
It was a whirlwind for the Trojans, who played four games in three days, five in four days and six in seven days. They finished with a 4-2 record over the brutal stretch that'll likely be remembered for two heartbreakers.
"You've got these ebbs and flows of the season," said Trojans coach Jim Thomas. "The sport teaches you humility."
After beating Hinsdale Central on Jan. 15, Downers North (15-7, 3-4) engaged in an epic West Suburban Silver struggle against Oak Park on Friday. Three overtimes later, the Trojans fell 54-52 on a buzzer-beating putback.
The next afternoon, in Saturday's opening round of the Wheaton Warrenville South MLK Tournament, Downers North fell 61-60 in overtime to Lake Forest Academy ... on another last-second shot.
The Trojans bounced back with three straight victories at WW South to win the tournament's consolation championship. Just another part of a topsy-turvy season for the Trojans, who have lost five games by 4 points or fewer and won four games by 4 points or fewer.
"It is what it is," Thomas said. "I like our guys, but that's been our season. They're a resilient group. Hopefully you take your lumps, learn your lessons and get better from there."
Growing:
Naperville North put in quite an effort on Jan. 17 to take one-loss Geneva to overtime.
Then to start the extra period, Zeke Williams - a freshman - fearlessly drilled a baseline 3-pointer. While the Huskies (11-8) eventually fell 61-56, the loss was another part of a learning process taking place around Loyola-bound senior wing Tom Welch.
"Those are the kind of games that are neat to be a part of, and we got better for having played in it," said first-year Huskies coach Gene Nolan. "We lost to a great team, but we're better for having played in that game."
Welch is having an outstanding season, averaging 22.6 points on 60 percent shooting from the field and 8.2 rebounds. He'll remain the focal point regardless of how the surrounding cast develops, but that cast is definitely developing.
Sophomore Grant Johnson averages 8.3 points on 60 percent shooting while juniors Riley Thompson and Myles Barry are also averaging better than 8 points a game.
They're growing up fast during a tough part of the schedule that included losses to Geneva (19-1) and Marian Catholic (19-3) in addition to this weekend's games against Waubonsie Valley (18-2) and Benet (16-5).
"There's no substitute for those types of experiences," Nolan said. "That's the exciting part of the season. This is a tough group, and they'll keep coming out and working hard."
Stars align:
Seniors Eric Cannon of Waubonsie Valley and Ethan Helwig of Metea Valley have been friends since the seventh grade. Over a three-day stretch they each cinched their college basketball choices.
On Jan. 17 Cannon committed to the University of Rochester, in New York, a Division III program in the high-academic University Athletic Association. The four-year starting guard averages about 12 points, and Waubonsie's most recent stats had him making 67 percent of his 2-point baskets and 40 percent on 3s.
"They were looking for a point guard, someone who is able to kind of lead, handle the ball and score as well," said Cannon, who also had Augustana in his sights. "When I went on my visit it was somewhere I could see myself."
A prospective business or engineering student, Cannon said his main emphasis was how Rochester could further his career after basketball.
Helwig also felt at home after visiting Merrimack College in Massachusetts, north of Boston. The 6-foot-4 guard-forward committed to Merrimack on Sunday.
"When I went there to see them practice and play I could really see that as being my home," said Helwig, Metea Valley's all-time leading scorer who this season is averaging 20 points and leads the Mustangs in assists, steals and 3-point baskets.
Merrimack plays in the Division II Northeast-10 Conference but will soon transition to Division I in the Northeast Conference, a four-year process. Should the Warriors win their league they won't be eligible for national tournament play, but "I'm perfectly happy with that," Helwig said.
"They liked that I can shoot and I'm more of a run-and-gun player because that's their style," he said.
Both Cannon and Helwig drew notice by the colleges last summer, Cannon at a camp in Las Vegas and Helwig in Amateur Athletic Union Nationals in Florida.
"I'm extremely happy for both of them," said Metea Valley coach Matt Walpole.
When Sides Collide:
On Saturday, Glenbard East hosts its annual one-day blowout, "When Sides Collide," starting at 1 p.m.
This time last year Glenbard East coach Scott Miller called the 2018 version of "Sides" its best ever. He and his cousin, Joe Henricksen, of the City/Suburban Hoops Report, who start assembling teams a year in advance, had just added a fifth game to the mix, up from four.
This year's roster is at least on par with the 2018 group. At $8 for five games of state-caliber talent, it's hard to beat.
Evanston and Normal West open the exhibition at 1 p.m. Following at 2:30 p.m. is a District 87 contest between surging host Glenbard East (9-11) facing Southern Illinois recruit Evan Taylor and Glenbard West (15-5).
When Sides Collide gains steam with St. Viator against Bloom at 4 p.m., Simeon versus Bolingbrook at 5:30 and a capper of local interest, Benet (16-5) playing Naperville North (11-8) at 7:15 p.m.
Bloom (18-1) holds the No. 3 slot in this week's Associated Press Class 4A rankings with Bolingbrook (14-3) No. 8 and Evanston (18-4) at No. 9. St. Viator (16-4) is ranked No. 9 in Class 3A. In Daily Herald rankings Benet is No. 4, Glenbard West No. 11.
Yes, Simeon is hovering around .500, but it plays a schedule heavy on out-of-state powers and finished third at Pontiac with a win over Bloomington. It's a huge get for what may be the best When Sides Collide to date.
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