Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

It was nice to stop writing about scandals and watch some basketball tonight. Orr’s been a really intriguing team to me all season, with so many players with interesting careers. They have all banded together to try and keep the Class 2A state title streak alive for the Spartans.

This was definitely the best they’ve looked. Curie is up next. The Spartans are definite underdogs, but Demarius Splunge will more than hold his own against Curie’s bigs and if Bryce Hall and Reggie Strong get hot anything could happen.

The Public League quarterfinals are all set: Morgan Park at Young, Crane at Bogan, Orr at Curie and Kenwood at Simeon.

I’m heading to Somonauk tomorrow for the championship game of the Little Ten Tournament. It’s been around for 101 years so I figure it is finally time to check it out. And I get a look at undefeated Indian Creek, which faces traditional power Newark in the title game.

Thursday’s top games

Oak Forest 64, TF North 58: The Meteors aren’t ranked, but it is still a nice test for Oak Forest. I’m dying to see them play some really top-notch competition. I think it is entirely likely the Bengals are up to the challenge. Jayson Kent and Robbie Avila each scored 23 points. Oak Forest is 23-1.

Crane 54, Lindblom 40: The Cougars are into the Elite Eight. Robert Hobbs did it again with 17 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Jalen West added 15 points and 11 rebounds and Jimarius Sneed had 10 points and 10 boards.

Curie 86, Marshall 55: Ramean Hinton scored 18 and Josiah Hammons made four three-pointers for his 12 points. The Condors haven’t missed a beat despite losing their head coach.

Morgan Park 93, Westinghouse 79: Brandon Weston had 30 points and 12 rebounds as the Mustangs took care of business at home. Illinois recruit Adam Miller added 19 points.

Kenwood 67, Perspectives-MSA 61: A solid showing from the White Division team.

Simeon 59, Farragut 54: Jeremiah Williams led the Wolverines with 16 points and 10 rebounds and DePaul recruit Ahamad Bynum added 11 points and six boards. The Admirals led for most of the game. They will be a factor in Class 3A.

Young 76, Schurz 67: No high scorers from this one but there was this...

Bogan 76, Phillips 57: The White Division underdogs couldn’t quite pull off the upset. Darrion Jones scored 24 and Antione Bloxton added 23.

Indian Creek 78, LaMoille-Ohio 38: The Timberwolves are 23-0 and into the Little Ten Tournament final. Cam Russell led the way with 18 and Brennen McNally scored 14.

Newark 54, Somonauk 51: The Norsemen knock off the hosts in the other Little Ten Tournament semifinal. Nathan Christian scored 18 and Alex Tollefson had 14.