Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Feb. 20, 2018

SHARE Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Feb. 20, 2018
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Oswego East’s Sam Schultz (4) turns the corner on Plainfield East’s Christian Shumate (33) Tuesday 02-20-18. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

Get on board the Oswego East train while there is still room. The Wolves are an exciting young team with some very intriguing players.

Read all about them.

Ray J Dennis is on his way to becoming a star and 6-7 sophomore Sam Schultz is one of the most productive young players I’ve seen this season.

“[Dennis] is amazing, his work ethic is crazy,” Schultz said. “He’s in the gym every morning shooting and working out. He makes all of us around him better players.”

The Wolves look like a preseason Super 25 team for next season. A nice run in the playoffs this season would definitely raise expectations.

“That is crucial,” Dennis said. “It is important we get that experience of a sectional championship and a regional championship and games like that.”

Tonight’s top games

Momence 69, Peotone 59: MOMENCE WATCH rolls into the playoffs. The Redskins advance to the regional championship game. Lamarius Lillard scored 30.

Corliss 71, Carver 50: The Trojans grab a Class 2A playoff win. Kobe Mapp scored 30.

Oak Park 53, Hinsdale South 52: The Huskies win the crossover game. They are probably the most balanced team in the area and that showed in the scoring tonight. Malachi Ross and Dashon Enoch each scored 12 and Sidney Allgood added 11.

Niles North 69, Glenbrook North 65 OT: Damaria Franklin scored 21, he hit a game-tying jumper to send the game into overtime. Aquan Smart added 17. Kellen Witherell led the Spartans with 22 points.

Argo 57, Reavis 54 2 OT: Jalen Cobbs scored 22 and Tory Turner added 18 for the Argonauts. Sami Hajjar led the Rams with 15.

Maine South 50, Highland Park 46: Tommy Gardiner had quite a night with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

Morton 75, Glenbard West 71: Morton continues its late season charge. Vinny Belcaster scored 22.

Bolingbrook 65, Lincoln-Way East 62: The Raiders trailed at the half but came back to win. Tyler Cochran scored 16, Kaleb Thornton had 14 and Joey Saracco added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Conant 68, Wheeling 49: Ryan Davis, the area’s best big man, put up another monster stat line with 33 points and 12 rebounds.

UP-Englewood 72, St Laurence 57: This is what, the third consecutive year that UP-Englewood has been a really good, really overlooked team? Eddie Anderson led the Lions with 18 points and 11 rebounds. DeVonte Williams added 17.

North Chicago 64, Lakes 47: It’s almost Class 3A playoff time so we had better start paying attention to the Warhawks. Tyreke Cooper led the way with 18 and Brad Cherry scored 15 for the Eagles.

Wheaton Academy 62, Riverside-Brookfield 59: I didn’t see any scorers for this one, but it is the second nice win for Wheaton Academy in the last two weeks.

Joliet Central 61, Plainfield North 40: The Steelmen were all business tonight, they win the Southwest Prairie and improve to 20-5.

Rolling Meadows 69, Palatine 65 OT: Senior Gio Carrillo had a big night with 28 points and five assists, including the go-ahead three with five seconds to go in OT to take the lead. Also a huge game for freshman Max Christie with 25 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.


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