Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

I must admit that at halftime of today’s game at Lake Zurich I was unaware that I was watching a tournament semifinal. I knew it was a tournament, just didn’t know exactly how far along it was.

That’s generally the nature of the confusing Martin Luther King weekend. Some tournaments started a few days ago, some played multiple rounds today, it is all happening. There were some fun matchups today around the area.

Dom Martinelli did his thing and overall I was very impressed with Glenbrook South. The team is much stronger overall than last year. Mundelein turned in a performance rather similar to the Stevenson game. Down double digits and then a roar back at the end that falls short.

Joliet West senior Jamere Hill made an oral commitment to Toledo today, capping an amazing rise over the past two months.

Saturday’s top games

Rolling Meadows 64, Maine West 58: Max Christie turned in 26 points and eight rebounds and Cam Christie added 13.

Kenwood 74, Rich Central 64: I’m super confused by the Broncos’ 5-13 record. This team has some really good players, clearly things just haven’t fallen their way. Life in the Red-South/Central is rough. Darnell King had 13 points and 19 rebounds and Roland McCoy added 32 points.

Hinsdale Central 59, Wheaton North 49: This gets the raging Red Devils to .500.

New Trier 59, Oak Lawn 48: Hinsdale Central isn’t the only team turning things around in January. The Trevians gave Glenbrook South all it could handle on Friday and turn around and knock off a good Oak Lawn team just hours later. Emmett Burnside scored 12 and John Carragher added 14. Sami Osmani scored 14 for the Spartans.

Dematha, Md. 59, No. 25 Simeon 48: The Wolverines fall on the road. Ahamad Bynum had 18 points and seven rebounds and Jeremiah Williams added 16 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Palatine 67, Willowbrook 55: Big Julian Campbell poured in 24 points and had 10 rebounds.

Mount Carmel 66, King 57: A nice home win for the Caravan. Deandre Craig, the star freshman, led the way with 19 points. Junior Jayden Benson added 13.

No. 2 Evanston 74, Hillcrest 69: The Wildkits are undefeated and everyone knows how good they are. Hillcrest lost this one but I think Don Houston and all the Hawks’ fans might secretly take it. They gave one of the best teams in the state a real battle. This could be a turning point for a very talented team. Jaylin Gibson scored 22 for Evanston and Isaiah Holden added 14. Mar’Keise Irving led Hillcrest with 19 and Jakobi Heady added 15.

No. 5 Homewood-Flossmoor 51, No. 19 Loyola 46: RJ Ogom scored 13 and Julian Gatewood added 11. The Vikings have played quite a schedule this season. Bennett Kwiecinski led the Ramblers with 13.