Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 13, 2017

I was lucky enough to meet Luke Drase of the Illinois Preps Insider tonight. It really was fortunate for me…

Luke noticed that my recorder wasn’t actually recording during the postgame press conference with Bolingbrook coach Rob Brost and he gave me a discreet heads up, saving my butt. Thanks again Luke.

You should check out Luke’s site. Link here. He covers all sorts of prep sports, even girls basketball (rankings!). The area is starved for preps coverage and Luke is stepping up and filling a big hole.

Fabulous, sold-out crowd tonight in Romeoville. It’s always wonderful to see a community (especially a non-traditional power) get excited about high school basketball. As a neutral that loves the sport I must admit I sort of wanted them to get rewarded with a win so that the big crowds and all the passion would continue.

It wasn’t to be for Romeoville tonight though. The game was really good for about a quarter. Both teams started throwing the ball around like mad in the second quarter and then the Spartans had a total meltdown in the third quarter.

It was my first look at Bolingbrook this season. They are pretty much what everyone expected. Very good and very guard-driven. Romeoville was didn’t mount a great challenge on the boards, which was kind of surprising. If the the Raiders have a weakness that would be it.

The loss is definitely a blow to the Spartans, they were riding high after the win against Hillcrest on Saturday. But it is really early in the season and there is plenty of talent on hand. Kinda feels like Dontia Johnson is the key to their success right now.

There weren’t many big games tonight but that’s ok, gives us a chance to focus on some other teams.

Wednesday’s top games

St. Laurence 91, Rich East 85: Are the Vikings Super 25 bound? Who knows, maybe. They held off a furious rally from the Rockets in the second half and are 6-1 this year. Only loss was to ranked DePaul Prep.

No. 8 Orr 64, Lincoln Park 44: The Spartans cruise. Dannie Smith had 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Brian Hernandez had 13 points and Emanuel O’Neal added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Clemente 71, Raby 64: Teshawn Stokes continued his domination of the White with 26 points and nine rebounds. Charvale Bass added 16 points. The Wildcats have a big game at Collins on Friday.

Crete-Monee 61, Thornridge 43: Malik Harmon scored 23 and the Warriors are all the way up to 6-3 now.

Legal Prep 63, Little Village 38: Raymond Dampier had 11 points, eight rebounds and four steals and Quanelle English added 10 points, six rebounds and four steals. The Wildcats are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Blue-West. They are also very good about tweeting out their scores and highlights, which gets you in the notebook eventually (hint, hint everyone else).

Crane 70, Perspectives-MSA 58: Seniors Terrell Ousley (18 points, eight rebounds) and Hylan Harris (17 points, four assists) led the way and sophomore Jimarius Sneed added 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Lane 64, Foreman 41: Zach Krysztopik scored a season-high 17 points. Check out this postgame press conference set up:

Sullivan 67, Chicago Math and Science 47: Josh Scott poured in 25 points and Brandon Aiken added 16. Sullivan is 5-4 overall, 2-1 in the Blue-North.

Lake View 69, Alcott 53: Yep, another team nicknamed the Wildcats. Three players were in double-figures. Kevin Delaney scored 19 points, Frank Graziano had 13 Bobby Hester added 12.