Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Feb. 27, 2019

As I’m sitting down to write this and watching all the tweets fly by with video clips of spectacular endings to games I’m starting to wonder if this was the best night of the season so far. I guess we will know by the time I get to the end of the notebook and we’ve absorbed it all.

Fantastic game at Young tonight. Lane found a way to beat a good team on a night when it couldn’t hit a three-pointer. That’s key in the Indians’ evolution.

Almost every day I receive an email from an angry suburban fan protesting the “Public League domination” storyline that Joe Henricksen and I have been peddling this season and that is very clear in the Super 25 rankings.

Lane’s win over Proviso East is just another example. The Indians finished 4-5 in the Red-North/West this season but just knocked off the team that won the West Suburban.

Lane’s basketball resurgence continues with upset win over Proviso East: Michael Molloy, Johnny Colombo and Vuk Djuric have been on Lane’s varsity for four years. The trio has led a basketball resurgence at the North Side school. Last year they led the Indians to a first place finish in the White-North and promotion to the Red-North/West super conference. Earlier this season Lane cracked the Super 25 for the first time in almost two decades. They aren’t done yet. Read the story.

Donald Coats, Zachary Carr lift efficient Thornwood over Richards: Wednesday’s game against Richards was technically just a regional semifinal, but the Thunderbirds’ foul-shooting prowess still made all the difference in keeping their season alive — they made all but one in the final minutes to win 68-63.

“We hit enough to get by,” Slavich said. “It’s about survival in the playoffs.” Read the story.

Wednesday’s top games

Brother Rice 61, TF South 58: “Somebody get this man some medicine, he his just sick” Marquise Kennedy scored 32 and did this…

Payton 43, Nazareth 41: Junior Jabari Chiphe was a good player last season. He’s developed into a killer.

Lemont 61, Romeoville 52: Both of these teams have been under the radar most of the season. But I think most people expected the Spartans to win this one. Huge performance by Nate Ferguson, who scored 31 for the Indians.

Glenbrook South 47, Conant 33: I’m sure the Titans don’t necessarily need Dom Martinelli to score 31 to win, but it sure seems like it happens a lot.

Providence-St. Mel 79, Fenger 53: This one was close for awhile, but the Knights advance to Friday’s sectional title game against Collins. Big man Taeyon Neal had 23 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Deion Jackson also scored 23 and grabbed eight boards.

Mount Carmel 72, Butler 60: Decent showing for the Noble school, but Josh Redic helps the Caravan pull it out with 23 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

St. Rita 65, TF North 57: Solid win for the Mustangs. Jeremiah Oden had 17 points and Christian Henry and Javon Colley each scored 16. Big showdown against H-F in the regional title game on Friday.

Corliss 59, El Paso-Gridley 53: The South Side Class 2A school is still alive. Dhashon Dyson sacred 22 and Jadon Williams had 16.

Crystal Lake Central 52, Crystal Lake South 44: Guessing this rivalry game was fun. Lucas Seegers had 15 and Christian Lerum added 10.

Joliet Central 53, Plainfield East 51 OT: Sounds like the Steelmen had some trouble finishing this one off, but they advance to take on Bolingbrook in the regional final.

Glenbard West 57, Naperville North 51 OT: Two big stars, Evan Taylor and Tom Welch, matched up in this one. I need to get this up before everyone goes to sleep at midnight so no time to search for stats.

Curie 74, Schurz 38: DaJuan Gordon led the Condors with 16. Big news here is Trevon Hamilton did not play. I’m hearing he’s hurt but it isn’t serious and he will play on Friday. Stay tuned.

Fenwick 69, Kenwood 64: Sophomore Bryce Hopkins has flashed some tremendous potential this season and he showed up in the biggest game of the year with 29 points. Solomon Oraegbu added 18.

Hyde Park 64, Brooks 58 OT: Another super close game. Nice win for the Thunderbirds and first-year coach Reggie Bates.

Phillips 67, Clemente 64 OT: More overtime, what a night. Didn’t see Phillips numbers but Terrell Taylor had 28 for the Wildcats.

Hillcrest 66, Rich South 56: I watched the Stars twice this year, tough team. The Hawks survive. Soph Mar’Kiese Irving scored 19.

WEDNESDAY’S FULL SCOREBOARD