Prentiss Nixon, Bolingbrook bounce back with win over Joliet West

Bolingbrook guard Prentiss Nixon knows what people think about the Raiders: very talented but very inconsistent.

“Since I have been here we have lost games we shouldn’t have,” Nixon said. “At this point it’s just something I’m trying to get us out of. It hurts us.”

It’s hurt the perception of Nixon. He’s one of the area’s truly elite scorers, which he showed again Thursday by pouring in 29 points in a 63-52 win over Joliet West in Joliet.

The Raiders began the season in the Super 25, then lost a game Thanksgiving week to Decatur MacArthur. On Friday they were upset by Joliet Central. That was the last straw for Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost.

“I really got after them in practice,” Brost said. “Probably the toughest practices we’ve had in five or six years and I think it showed today.”

The Raiders (3-2, 1-1 Southwest Suburban Blue) jumped out to a quick 12-0 lead and led by 24 late in the third quarter.

So there was some improvement, but signs of the old problems remain. Bolingbrook turned the ball over 21 times and only outrebounded a much smaller Joliet West team 43-38. The Tigers outscored the Raiders 18-7 in the final quarter to make things look respectable.

“Obviously we have to clean some things up,” Brost said. “The main thing I was concerned with was that we come out and play hard.”

Bolingbrook was without big man Julian Torres in the loss to the Steelmen. He came back strong against Joliet West with 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. The Wisconsin-Green Bay recruit’s offensive game has improved since last season and he’s going to be a load for any team to handle.

“When he’s healthy we are a different team,” Brost said. “I’m proud. I was really rough on them this week.”

Brodric Thomas, another Division I caliber player, added 12 points and five rebounds for the Raiders.

Joliet West’s 6-5 sophomore Trevian Bell has been putting up solid numbers so far this season and was able to continue the run, even with the 6-9 Torres clogging up the post. Bell made a point of going around Torres, utilizing a few reverse layups on his way to 19 points and 12 rebounds.

“Trevian has good foot work,” Joliet West coach Nick DiForti said. He know’s he isn’t going to to be able to go head to head against 6-9.”

Senior Mike Ruwoldt added eight points and sophomore Jaron Nabors scored seven for the Tigers (5-2, 1-1)