Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

The road to state has been released. Every team knows its playoff path after the brackets were released earlier today. I usually have some initial impressions but nothing really jumped out at me.

Seeing all the sectionals generally takes all the steam out of the regular season but there were some fun conference races decided tonight. And two other very notable things...

Indian Creek pulled it off. The Timberwolves finished the regular season a perfect 30-0. Drew Gaston scored 16 and Cooper Larsen added 15 in a 67-38 win against Somonauk tonight.

Also, seems worth noting that Manteno (ignored by the notebook all season) won it first conference title in 23 years.

Friday’s top games

Benet 43, St. Viator 40: The Redwings pick up another win on their late-season gauntlet. They still face Stevenson and St. Charles North before the playoffs begin.

Yorkville 49, Oswego 44: Interesting result here. The Foxes win it on the road.

Mundelein 63, Lake Zurich 41: The Mustangs are going to be an interesting case when it comes to the All-Area team. Conor Enright (14 points, seven assists) and Scottie Ebube (11 points, seven rebounds) have been very consistent this season.

Oak Lawn 55, Reavis 36: David Reyes scored 20 and Trey Ward had 14 for the Spartans, who have been out of the spotlight for awhile now. It will be interesting to see how they fare in the playoffs.

Hinsdale South 59, Addison Trail 50: The Hornets are 72-3 and conference champs. Aaron Tims scored 20 and Billy Durkin added 14.

Eisenhower 63, Argo 48: Jemel Jones scored 23 for the 22-6 Cardinals.

York 33, Hinsdale Central 29: It’s the first conference title since 2006 for the Dukes. Vince Doran got a bath...

Loyola 57, Fenwick 49: Matt Enghauser had 17 and Bennett Kwiecinski 14 as the Ramblers clinch the conference title on road. Bryce Hopkins scored 23 for the Friars.

Evanston 61, Glenbrook South 60 OT: Blake Peters had 16 and it sounds like Dom Martinelli was a bit hobbled but still scored 30 for the Titans.

Lockport 52, Lincoln-Way East 41: Really nice win for the Porters, who scored 21 in the fourth quarter. They had 12 assists on 18 buckets.

Waubonsie Valley 35, Naperville Central 32: Marcus Skeete wins it on a buzzer beater for the second consecutive game.

Schaumburg 35, Palatine 21: The Saxons win the MSL West.

St. Charles East 80, Wheaton North 73: The Saints have an interesting road in the playoffs and are pretty hot, 15-2 in 2020. The losses are to St. Charles North and Benet.

DePaul Prep 65, St. Ignatius 35: TY Johnson puts up 21 as the Rams dominate and put some points on the board. Brian Mathews had 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

Andrew 68, Lincoln-Way Central 48: Hmm. The Thunderbolts open my eyes a bit with this one. Noah O’Connor scored 21 and they are 16-10.

Tinley Park 76, TF South 71: Sophomore AJ Casey scores a career-high 40 points and grabes 11 rebounds.