2009 City Suburban Showdown

February 14, 2009

For the 14th year in a row, high school basketball fans were treated to a couple of great basketball games at Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena.  Glenbrook North defeated Warren Township 70-62 in the evening’s first contest, and De La Salle edged out defending class 2A state champions, North Lawndale, 65-60 in the nightcap.  

The Integrity Group’s City Suburban Showdown is always one of the marquee events during the high school basketball season as it consistently matches up the top teams in the state that wouldn’t normally play each other during the regular season.  This year was no different.

Glenbrook North (15-4) and Warren (17-4) both came into the game ranked among the top 25 teams in the Chicagoland area.  They are both very similar teams in that they both have a star player, a slew of very good role players, and excellent coaches.  Warren came into the game on a week’s rest, while Glenbrook North defeated an extremely tough Maine East team the night before to clinch the Central Suburban League North title.  Warren showed no signs of rust, and Glenbrook North showed no signs of fatigue from the previous night, as the game was closely contested throughout.  

Warren’s Brandon Paul, one of the top candidates for Mr. Basketball and Illini commit, got off to a quick start scoring eight points in the first quarter.  Paul also received help from forward, James Poliquin, who did plenty of damage early down low scoring and grabbing offensive rebounds.  However, Glenbrook North, who has been without 6′7” senior and Brown commit Tyler Ponticelli all season due to a back injury, was carried by junior Alex Dragicevich’s great shooting and senior Michael Phillips.  After a thunderous second quarter dunk by Paul, Phillips responded with a Glenbrook North three pointer to put them back into the lead.  With the game tied, and time winding down, Dragicevich hit a buzzer beater to give the Spartan’s a two point lead at halftime.  Dragicevich finished with 17 first half points, while Phillips chipped in with 10 points.  

When the second half began, it became clear what Glenbrook North coach Dave Weber discussed with his team at halftime.  After scoring 14 first half points, Brandon Paul was barely able to touch the ball in the third quarter.  On top of that, big man James Poliquin who had been effective in the paint, was hampered with foul trouble the entire second half.  Dragicevich continued to score the ball for Glenbrook North, and also got help from junior Austin Weber who scored all nine of his points in the second half.  

Glenbrook North extended their lead to 15 points in the fourth quarter, and Warren didn’t have enough left in their tank to catch back up.  Brandon Paul finished the game with 18 points to lead Warren.  Dragicevich finished as the game’s high scorer with 31, to lead his team to the 70-62 victory.  

 

In the next game, two of the best teams in Chicago and the state of Illinois met for the first time this season.  The De La Salle Meteors are arguably the top team from the Chicago Catholic League, and the North Lawndale Phoenix have a strong case as the Chicago Public League’s best.  In a game that featured contrasting game plans, several highly touted players, and division-one recruits, it was a rarely used role player who proved to be the difference.  

North Lawndale Phoenix coach Lewis Thorpe’s game plan always involves tons of ball pressure, and a fast paced tempo to their offense.  Aside from having great guard play from John Taylor, Terry Johnson, Zilijan Jones, and Stephen Thorpe, the Phoenix catalyst is senior forward Jon Mills.  Mills, who is committed to play collegiately for Texas A&M Corpus-Christi, is easily the state’s best rebounder.  He also usually finishes any shot he can get around the rim.   

De La Salle can play up and down with anyone, but usually plays with a slower tempo.  Coach Tom White uses a very well balanced inside-out attack.  Senior guards Derek Needham, Fairfield University commit, and Richie Fisher form one of the city’s better back courts.  Super sophomore’s Michael Shaw, 6′8”, and Andre Henley, 6′6”, play primarily down low, but both possess some perimeter skills.  

As the game progressed early, it looked like North Lawndale’s fast paced style of play was too much for De La Salle to handle.  Senior John Taylor got hot early scoring connecting on his first three shots, two of which were three-pointers.  He also did a good job setting up other teammates for short jumpers or lay-ups.  Andre Henley and Rob Robinson did their best to keep the Meteors in the game.  After a scrappy first half, North Lawndale took a three point lead into the locker room.  

In the majority of the second half, De La Salle played without Shaw who was in foul trouble.  While Shaw is a big part of the Meteor offensive attack, he is more important on defense as he is the teams best shot blocker and rebounder.  The slender underclassmen had his hands full with North Lawndale senior Jon Mills all night.  Three and a half minutes into the second half, Shaw picked up his fourth foul.  However, the Meteors would not be deterred.   

Picking up the slack was fellow sophomore Andrew Henley, and senior Richie Fisher.  Fisher, who was held scoreless in the first half, connected on three shots from beyond the arc.  De La Salle held a four point edge over North Lawndale going into the fourth quarter.  

After Jon Mills drew an offensive foul on Shaw with 4:44 left in the game, rarely used junior center Jon Jesse checked into the game to replace Shaw who had fouled out.  With the lead changing hands several times late in the game, Jesse was fouled while converting a layup with under two minutes to play.  After Jesse sank the free throw, the Meteor’s would not relinquish the lead.  When the final horn sounded, De La Salle came out on top 65-60.  Jesse finished with 10 points in the game, all of which came with under four minutes to play in the game.  

Taylor led the Phoenix with 15 points, while Jon Mills added 11 points and, an eye popping, 22 rebounds.