Simeon basketball: Jeremiah Williams gets a little more selfish, helps Wolverines beat Hillcrest

Williams had 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks to help the Wolverines defeat the Hawks 71-52 in the Bob Hambric Shootout on Sunday at T.F. North.

By Michael O’Brien

Simeon’s Jeremiah Williams (3) keeps an eye on Hillcrest’s Hamahrie Bowers (1).

Jeremiah Williams was an All-Area player as a junior last season at St. Laurence. He averaged nearly 20 points and regularly filled up several columns of the stat sheet.

His transfer to Simeon came with some heavy expectations. Williams appeared to be the perfect piece to complement talented junior Ahamad Bynum and several other young players.

It hasn’t been as smooth a start as expected, but not for the usual reasons. It turns out Williams is just too nice.

‘‘He’s just such a good kid,’’ Simeon coach Robert Smith said. ‘‘He doesn’t want to step on anybody’s toes. The guys had to tell him that they need him to win. He understands that now, so he’s been more aggressive, which is good for us. He’s an all-around player that can do everything.’’

Williams had 14 points, eight rebounds and four blocks to help the Wolverines defeat Hillcrest 71-52 on Sunday in the Bob Hambric Shootout at T.F. North in Calumet City.

‘‘I can find a way, too nice or not,’’ Williams said. ‘‘I think I can do even more. I’m willing to rebound, take a charge, whatever we need to win.’’

The Hawks focused on denying Bynum the ball in the first quarter, and it worked well. Hillcrest (12-6) threw down a couple of dunks and built a 17-11 lead. The suburban crowd buzzed with the anticipation of taking down a city power.

Then the third quarter happened. The Hawks went six minutes without a basket, and Simeon (10-6) took control of the game.

‘‘That’s what people have been doing to us, trying to deny Bynum,’’ Smith said. ‘‘Now other guys are stepping up. That’s been leading to some success because he understands he doesn’t have to force shots and he can stay within the offense.’’

Bynum, a DePaul recruit, finished with 17 points and six rebounds. He has earned a shoot-first reputation the last two seasons, but that has changed in the last few games. His assist numbers are rising. He even ended the third quarter with a pretty pass to Williams for a basket.