Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Jan. 26, 2018

Long, eventful drive home from Joliet tonight so I’m way behind. No time for blathering, right to the games. The Steelmen knocked off Romeoville in double overtime. Read all about it.

Tonight’s top games

Evanston 45, Maine South 44: The tweet of Blake Peters’ crazy magical shot is going viral. What a rough stretch for the Hawks though, your heart has to go out to those kids. They have been through the ringer lately.

Geneva 71, Batavia 62: The Vikings have a ton of potential, it is easy to see them stringing some wins together and being dangerous in the playoffs.

Libertyville 74, Waukegan 60: For the third time this year the Wildcats beat the Bulldogs. Drew Peterson scored 35.

Rich Central 62, Bloom 61 OT: Bryonte Washington scored 17 and Chase Love add 13. The Olympians are 10-9.

Homewood-Flossmoor 69, Sandburg 63: The Vikings are young and Sandburg has tripped up a few much more experienced teams this season.

Fenwick 61, DePaul Prep 51: Maybe people will stop bellyaching about Fenwick’s ranking now? If you don’t think the Friars are one of the area’s best teams I just don’t know what to tell you. Yes, they have lost to a lot of good teams. Who cares? If you watch them play you’ll be convinced. DJ Steward (one of the state’s best players) scored 25 and Damari Nixon had 13 points.

St. Viator 62, Notre Dame 49: The Lions avoid the upset and are 5-0 in the East Suburban Catholic.

Lincoln-Way East 75, Bolingbrook 72: Joe Henricksen says there are no upsets this season. This result proves him right I guess. It is too late to check, but I remember the Griffins knocking off the Raiders late last season too. Didn’t see stats, but Zach Pardon and Sam Shafer had big nights and 6-9 sophomore Nate Seputis had a double-double.

St. Patrick 51, Marian Catholic 49: More evidence that there are no “upsets” this season. Senior Chris Lara had 23 points and the game-winner at the buzzer for the Shamrocks, who trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter.

Hillcrest 64, TF South 58: Robert Harvey led the Hawks with 25 points. TF South has had some interesting scores lately. Looks like they were right in this one.

Willowbrook 85, Proviso East 65: Quite the margin for the Willowbrook. Ethan Schuemer had 22 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Everett Stubblefield played well in his second varsity game with 12 points, five rebounds and four steals.

Stevenson 49, Mundelein 34: Jackson Qualley with another big night, 21 points. The Patriots are clearly playing well.

Conant 52, Fremd 42: The rivalry has definitely swung Conant’s way this season. Ryan Davis scored 42.