Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

Joe Henricksen and I record No Shot Clock on Monday nights. It generally seems like the best day of the week, the slate of games is usually pretty poor.

But every once in awhile a solid Monday like this creeps up and I end up filled with regret about the games I didn’t get to see.

Don’t miss Joe’s massive look back at the Team Rose Shootout. It was quite a 14-game event.

Monday’s top games

No. 14 Mundelein 52, Zion-Benton 48: Trey Baker scored 22 and Scottie Ebube added 11 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. No one is talking about Zion-Benton. The Zee-Bees are 4-4 and that doesn’t look good. But this is a team that I nearly ranked in the preseason. And when you dive into the schedule the record is clearly deceiving. Zion-Benton has lost to Glenbrook South, Buffalo Grove, Stevenson and Mundelein. This is a team that should not be taken lightly at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament.

Lincoln-Way Central 68, No. 16 Bolingbrook 63: Big win for Bob Curran and his Knights. Matt Maloney scored 19 and Sean Curran added 17.

Kankakee 56, Lincoln-Way West 33: The Kays are 7-1. Lavell McIntosh scored 19 and grabbed eight rebounds and Ambrozino Storr added 15.

Glenbard West 62, Plainfield Central 53: Diallo Phillips scored 22 and Braden Huff, the 6-9 sophomore everyone is talking about, added 18 points. I’m hearing that Brandon Shoemaker, the Wildcats’ top player, is out with an illness.

Ag. Science 73, U-High 46: Corey Jones scored 17 and the Cyclones are 8-1.

Ogden 49, Noble Street 30: Junior Keyonta Ellis scored 21 points for the Owls, which have an excellent nickname.

Schaumburg 63, Glenbard North: 30: The Saxons rebound nicely from the Tinley Park loss.

No. 12 Orr 75, Payton 58: Demarius Splunge had 24 points and six rebounds. He’s had quite the start to the season. The Grizzlies are fighting for survival in the Red this season, despite having Jabari Chiphe.

Lockport 43, Joliet Central 38 2 OT: Well this was probably fun. Except for the ending. I’m looking forward to seeing the Porters in Pontiac next week. Tyrell Harris had a steal and basket to tie it in the first overtime. Jake Kaczmarek made a clutch three-pointer with a minute left in the second overtime and Harris made two free-throws to seal the win for Lockport.

Brooks 73, Proviso West 66: Milan Williams has a big night with 25 points and Chaz Harvey adds 12.