Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 20, 2017

SHARE Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Dec. 20, 2017
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Tim Turner (2) of Harlan covers his face after Hyde Park pulls away in the second half. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

I couldn’t make it out to a game today, had football Signing Day duties and there was a ton of writing to do to fill the paper over the holidays when there aren’t any games going on.

That makes today a perfect night for a little rant I’ve been holding back for awhile.

I’ve been sitting in the stands watching high school basketball games since the early 90s. About half of that time I was a fan, half a reporter. The last few years I’ve noticed a distinct change in the parents that I’m sitting amongst.

I can’t ever remember seeing parents actually rooting against their son’s team until recently. It has been a regular occurrence over the past few years. It’s been odd. So many parents now only seem to care about how much their kid is playing. If he isn’t, the coach is an idiot and the team deserves to go down in flames.

The Joliet fans I grew up around yelled at Mike O’Connell and Bob Koskosky constantly. They would stand up and scream across they gym about which players should and shouldn’t be in the game. I suppose that is just natural. But they always rooted for the team. They never took any pleasure in the team losing when their kid wasn’t on the court. I never heard anyone root against the player that was on the court in place of their kid.

Times have changed. I’d guess most coaches have already noticed this. I’m not sure what the answer is exactly. All I know is I have to get up and change seats a lot more often than I used to. That kind of energy just isn’t fun to be around.

Wednesday’s top games

No. 3 Curie 69, Crete Monee 52: The Condors grab a win in the south suburbs. Marquise Walker led the way with 17 points, Dajuan Gordon scored 12 and the Martin brothers each scored 10.

Marist 67, Rich East 49: What a week for the RedHawks and Morgan Taylor. He scored 30 and David Daniels added 15.

Wells 63, Phoenix 50: A solid win for Wells behind 20 points from Antwon Lampkin and 13 from Montreal Roddy.

Foreman 71, Chicago Math and Science 28: Dominant win for the Hornets, who improve to 7-4. Damari Hendrix is still going strong, scored 10.

No. 4 Orr 81, Von Steuben 31: Raekwon Drake had 15 points and seven rebounds and Chase Adams added 15.

Crane 76, Robeson 24: The Cougars rose at home. Junior Jalen Stanford had 22 points and six rebounds and Hylan Harris added 20 points and six boards.

Lincoln Park 59, Lane 51: The Lions go into Lane and win. Didn’t see any scorers for Lincoln Park anywhere.

No. 19 Benet 41, Lake Forest 34: Watched this one on The Cube. It wasn’t a work of art, but Benet survived a team that is more dangerous than most probably realize.

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