Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

Leaving Simeon for Tinley Park is a bold choice that few high school basketball phenoms would make.

AJ Casey’s arrival has changed everything for the Titans. The first major win of the Casey era arrived on Saturday. Tinley Park knocked off undefeated Schaumburg 39-37 in the Team Rose Shootout at Mount Carmel.

“I’m kind of shocked right now,” Casey, a 6-8 sophomore, said. “There were so many doubters. We weren’t supposed to win this game. We pulled it out at the end so it is kind of big.”

Casey made two free throws with 24 second left to seal the win. He finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while matched up against Schaumburg’s Chris Hodges, a 6-8 junior committed to Wisconsin.

“He’s a great post player,” Casey said. “When you get behind him it is hard to fight over him. I learned that quickly. He finishes everything.”

Casey showcased more of his all-around game than we saw last year at Simeon.

“That’s what we expect,” Tinley Park coach DJ Brown said. “He is here to show he’s multi-faceted. He’s playing outside, he’s playing inside, he’s handling the ball. He’s our do it all guy.”

Sophomore Keon Richardson added eight points for the Titans (6-3), who are starting to get used to the increased attention Casey brings.

“There is way more attention,” Brown said. “The guys are welcoming it and they are stepping up. AJ has been fantastic with it all, he’s been wonderful to have. We are young and we are learning to win. That was a good one to get.”

Hodges finished with 20 points and nine rebounds. He was 6-for-8 shooting. Senior Jared Schoo added six points and 10 rebounds for the Saxons (8-1).

Saturday’s top games

Oak Park 55, No. 6 Stevenson 48: The first major result of the Team Rose Shootout. What a performance by Oak Park junior Isaiah Barnes. He scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half and grabbed six rebounds. Stevenson led 15-2 in this one.

“We are so young and inexperienced that we have been down in every game except for one, a game we blew open right away,” Oak Park coach Matt Maloney said. “That was something we talked about pregame. I was a little worried but this group has been resilient, they fought back.”

Barnes is expected to be one of the area’s breakout juniors.

“He’s been by far our best player,” Maloney said. “He’s improved in so many different areas. He still has room to grow but he’s more assertive and he’s always locked in.”

Justin Cross added 10 points, seven rebounds and four blocks for the Huskies and Josh Smith scored nine.

“Cross defensively has just been tremendous for us,” Maloney said. “Blocking shots, rebounding and he is always guarding really good players. It’s great having a senior that is that vocal with such a high IQ.”

Matt Ambrose led Stevenson with 16 points and John Ittounas scored 14. The Patriots, undefeated heading into this one, were out-rebounded 27-17.

Brother Rice 61, Lane 60: DeAndre Hagan’s burst in the middle of the fourth quarter put the Crusaders ahead. Hagan drove to the basket for a bucket and then blocked a Lane shot on the other end and took it back downcourt for a dunk to put Brother Rice ahead 53-49. Hagan finished with 23 and Luke Moustakas added 10. Louis Perona led Lane with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Riverside-Brookfield 65, De La Salle 46: This one was never much in doubt. Excellent morning performance form the Bulldogs. Paul Zilinskas, a transfer from Richards, led the way with 17 points and sophomoreJohn Paul Hanley added 11. Joshua Holmes led the Meteors with 21 points.

Danville 65, Rich East 51: Tevin Smith has recovered well from his summer injury. The Vikings’ standout junior scored 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds. He scored 16 in the first quarter. Danville took control with an 11-3 run to open the fourth quarter. Devin Miles scored 13 and Robert Stroud added 10 points and nine rebounds. Christopher Smith, a 6-8 senior, opened some eyes. He had 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks for the Rockets.

No. 1 Bloom 91, St. Laurence 56: A running-clock win for the Blazing Trojans. Dante Maddox Jr. scored 19 and Christian Shumate had another impressive showing with 18 points and nine rebounds. Justin Moore and Keshawn Williams each added 14 points.

Crane 63, Lindblom 55: An eye-opener for sure. It’s been a rough start to the season for Lindblom, but this is still a really nice win for the Cougars. Jimarius Sneed led the way with 15 points and five rebounds. Jalen West added 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Timothy Christian 43, Wheaton Academy 40: Ben VanderWal had a day. He posted 17 points, 17 rebounds and hit the game-winning three at the buzzer. The Trojans are 7-1.

Leyden 70, Proviso East 64: How about this? It’s been a long time since Leyden pulled off a major win.

Collinsville 65, No. 3 Morgan Park 65 2 OT: Ray’Sean Taylor scored 24 for Collinsville. Adam Miller finished with 32.

No. 12 Orr 71, Pickneyville 67 2 OT: Shaun Harris led the Spartans with 18 and Leontae Lilly scored 15. Appears it was quite an event downstate.

Hinsdale South 65, Willowbrook 54: Another nice win for the Hornets, who are 7-0. Billy Durkin scored 18 and Aaron Tims added 15.

York 56, No. 25 Benet 51: Nate Shockey scored 17 for the Dukes, who are clearly going to be a major contender at their own holiday tournament.

Cedar Falls, Iowa 74, No. 17 Bolingbrook 62: The Raiders finish 1-1 in Iowa.