End of Season Showdown Notes, pt. 2

Mac Irvin Fire 16′s upended by CAPS All Stars

Northwest Indiana’s CAPS All Stars, coached by Nate Richie, surprised many onlookers by taking it to the Fire from start to finish.  The Fire were without their best prospect, Whitney Young’s 6’6” Sam Thompson, but added Mt. Carmel’s Tracy Abrams who played with the 17′s the night before.  Abrams, who committed to the Illini last fall, had his hands full all game with Lowell’s 6’0” combo guard, Austin Richie.  Richie led the charge with well over 30 points in the game, scoring in a variety of ways.  He also had help in the back court from Westview’s Justin Jantzi.  Munster’s 6’6” forward Ricky Carbajal, and Crown Point’s 6’10” Jared Smoot did a lot of damage on the glass, and provided a great presence inside on offense.

While most of the college coaches, and neutral spectators, around the court were there for the high-profile Fire 16′s, they all got to see a handful of division-one prospects for the class of 2011 from northwest Indiana.

Illinois Wolves 16′s continue to dominate

Coach Mullins and coach Maniscalco have seen great success throughout the spring and summer with their Wolves 16 and under club.  Many of the tournaments their team has won, have been in the 17′s division.  At the End of Season Showdown, the Wolves played their way to a title in the 17′s division against some great competition.  Rock Island’s Chasson Randle, and St. Ignatius’ Nnanna Egwu were named co-MVP’s of the tournament.  They received help, as usual, from St. Patrick’s Jacob Williams, Benet’s Dave Sobolewski, York’s Will Sullivan, and Peoria Central’s Bobo Drummond.

After all their success this summer against kids a year older than them, there is no telling what they’re going to do to the competition next summer.