Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

Analysis, scores and highlights from the best games of Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020.

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Thornton coach Tai Streets as the clock winds down on the Wildcats’ victory over Homewood-Flossmoor.

Thornton coach Tai Streets as the clock winds down on the Wildcats’ victory over Homewood-Flossmoor.

Thornton’s win against Bloom was one of those games that could have gone either way at the end. Thornton’s win against Homewood-Flossmoor tonight was not one of those games.

By the fourth quarter it was clear the Vikings didn’t want anymore Thornton. DJ Williams turned in one of the best performances I’ve seen this season.

Wildcats coach Tai Streets could probably be describing himself back in high school with this quote on Williams: “Football is his first love but I’ll take him any day over any guy in the country on the basketball court. He’ll take any challenge head on. He doesn’t care. He will try to win it.”

That’s the type of player Streets was as well. Streets and his Thornton team (with a couple other football players and Melvin Ely) took down Kevin Garnett and Ronnie Fields’ Farragut team in the Elite Eight back in 1995.

Thornton is still unbeaten and its resume is starting to approach Curie’s and Evanston’s. It’s getting pretty wild to have so many high-level teams unbeaten in the state (add Loyola to that list).

Tuesday’s top games

Bolingbrook 92, No. 12 Marian Catholic 87: Wow, clearly the result of the night. The Raiders fall out the rankings on Sunday and then go and beat Marian Catholic. Darius Burford scored 38. The Spartans continue to be difficult to figure out.

York 53, Glenbard West 25: Can’t say I expected this kind of dominance from the Dukes. Big statement for them.

Brother Rice 85, Richards 83 3 OT: Well this game must have been something. I haven’t seen any scoring totals but it is a really nice win for the Crusaders. Richards is a good team that is flying under the radar.

No. 4 Bogan 71, Kenwood 68: The Broncos nearly pulled of a major upset. I’ve seen them a few times this season and they’ve played well. The Red-South/Central is tough. Antione Bloxton had 21 points and Darrion Jones added 16 for the Bengals.

No. 14 Morgan Park 61, Corliss 58: The Mustangs pull off a win over a really solid Corliss team and do it without Marcus Watson (injury). Adam Miller scored 19.

No. 3 Notre Dame 49, Fremd 44: Gutty win for the Dons. This was one I was keeping an eye on after they lost to Loyola last month. Anthony Sayles led the way with 18 poins and Troy D’Amico added 15.

Hinsdale South 51, Willowbrook 50: Aaron Tims won it at the buzzer for the Hornets. He finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Phillips 81, Kennedy 43: This was close for a bit. I’m interested in keeping an eye on the Wildcats after seeing them last week. Jurel Savage scored a season-high 21 points. He’s a crafty player, the type you usually see at Farragut.

Ag. Science 67, Fenger 53: The Cyclones are 12-6 this season. Jaden House drained eight three-pointers and scored 28.

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