Tourney tidbits

With most of this year’s fun-filled holiday tournament hoops nearing a close, here are things overheard at the tourneys:

— Long-time hoops followers are starting to refer to this year’s Wheeling club as the best high school girls team they’ve ever seen. The Wildcats have won all 18 of their games by double digits.

— Give the Jacobs boys basketball team credit. After losing three starters, including superstar John Moran last year, it was hard to believe the Golden Eagles would be as good this season. But the 10-2 Eagles won their third straight Jacobs Holiday Classic title and are now 62-7 over the past three seasons.

— After a rough start, the Fremd boys basketball team made some noise with a fourth-place finish at Elgin. After a hot start, Buffalo Grove managed just one win at Elgin.

— The time has come for the once up-and-coming Hoffman Estates girls team. The now veteran Hawks looked like the real deal in winning the Lady Mustangs’ Holiday Classic at Mundelein.

— With several veterans back from last year’s 21-win club, the Crystal Lake South girls team emerged as the favorites in the upcoming FVC Valley season. The Gators have won 10 straight and cruised to the title at the Marengo Holiday Classic.