All-City team still stacked with talent

The 2015 All-City team is a true reflection of Chicago’s basketball prowess. This year’s squad may not have the likes of a Jahlil Okafor or Cliff Alexander, but can hold its own.

Four of the five first-team members will be attending Division I schools next year: Simeon’s Edward Morrow (Nebraska), St. Rita’s Charles Matthews (Kentucky), Young’s Joseph Toye (Vanderbilt) and Bogan’s Luwane Pipkins (UMass).

Two members of the second team have also signed: St. Rita’s Armani Chaney (Tennessee State) and Simeon’s D.J. Williams, who will be heading to Illinois.

The overall depth of the team is underscored by the selection of Simeon’s Isaiah Moss, who will be heading to Iowa, and DePaul’s two-sport star Raeqwon Williams, who chose football over basketball and will play at Michigan State.

The pick of talented junior Zach Norvell gives Simeon four selections. It’s a proud moment in the Norvell household, as the guard follows in the footsteps of his father Zachary Norvell, a former 1995 All-City standout from DuSable.

Simeon coach Robert Smith said his players who made the cut are a testimony to the Simeon way.

“We don’t believe in big scoring numbers here,” Smith said. “It’s about the team. Derrick Rose, Jabari Parker, Tim Flowers, Kendrick Nunn — now these guys know what’s important in the long run.”

Smith added that Morrow, who is averaging 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game, has a special quality about him. “There’s not a better all-round player in the state than he is.”

Morgan Park’s two representatives, Marcus LoVett Jr. and Charles Moore, arguably form the best back court in the state. LoVett is registering 25 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals per game. Moore averages 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals each contest.

How good is Toye? He might be the single most important player on any team in the city. He is a true game-saver for Young with his 18 points and six rebounds per game.

Dolphins coach Tyrone Slaughter has nothing but superlatives to say about Toye: “Highly skilled, super athletic, can score in multiple ways, great team leader and a super kid.”

Pipkins is the lone returnee from last year’s first team, when he averaged 27 points a game his junior year. This year is another story. He was asked to sacrifice some of his scoring opportunities and take more of a leadership role. He responded to the challenge, averaging 18 points, six rebounds, three steals and five assists this year.

Bengals coach Arthur Goodwin couldn’t be happier with Pipkins’ development. “He has become a great two-way player,” Goodwin said of the future Minuteman. “I have watched him grow and mature as a player and person and UMass is getting a good one.”