Michael O’Brien’s high school basketball notebook

The plan tonight was simple. See two Super 25 caliber teams and get a look at two All-Area candidates at the same time. It’s a short season and every night is valuable.

Well, the plan didn’t go too well. Waubonsie Valley wiped the floor with Neuqua Valley. Ben Schwieger played well, but the Warriors didn’t have to rely on him for much. Everyone on the team was red-hot from three-point range.

It was the opposite for John Poulakidas and Neuqua Valley. This is a game they will want to forget about.

Neuqua Valley plays DeKalb on Tuesday. The Barbs, which recently entered the Sun-Times’ coverage area after joining the DuPage Valley, are 9-0. That is quite a start to the season.

Eddie Carifio covered DeKalb’s win against Naperville Central tonight. Add another school to the list of teams I need to get out and see.

Friday’s top games

No. 6 DePaul Prep 69, St. Ignatius 38: Very solid margin here for the Rams, who appear to be living up to their lofty ranking so far this season. TY Johnson scored 26 and Rasheed Bello added 13.

No. 10 St. Patrick 73, Joliet Catholic 28: The Shamrocks bounce back behind Caleb Corro’s 22 points. Michael Hamilton had a big night with 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Lockport 60, Lincoln-Way East 44: Matas Deksnys scored a career-high 26 points. He could be one of the season’s breakout seniors. Khari Carpenter gave the Porters big moments off the bench. Lockport was at home but this is an impressive win.

Morton 60, Hinsdale South 58 OT: Jesus Perez is a heck of a high school basketball player. I learned that too late in the season last year. He scored 23 tonight and Josh Dowdell added 12 points. Two sophomores, Dakari Durham and Victor Garrett, combined for 19.

Barrington 52, No. 24 Fremd 42: A reader sent me a message about Barrington earlier today, mentioning they were for real. Looks like it. Damian Zivak scored 17 points and Will Grudzinski added 14. Eli Schoffstall led the Vikings with 21.

No. 4 Mundelein 70, Round Lake 48: The Mustangs keep rolling. Conor Enright scored 21 points and dished off 12 assists. Scottie Ebube continued his tear with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

No. 14 Rolling Meadows 74, Hersey 69: The Mustangs were down by 13 late in the third quarter but pulled out a big conference win. Max Christie scored 33 and Cam Christie had 21. Ethan Roberts led Hersey with 20.

Andrew 70, Lincoln-Way Central 58: Huge game for Jolo Amoranto with 29 points. Michael Bobber grabbed 15 boards. The Thunderbolts are 3-1.

Lemont 65, Oak Forest 53: Nojus Indrusaitis scored a career-high 21 and Rokas Castillo added 16. Even a huge night from Robbie Avila (30 points, 16 rebounds) couldn’t stop Lemont.

Downers Grove North 50, Oak Park 44: That’s a 4-0 start for Downers Grove North. All of a sudden there are a ton of new candidates for the Super 25.

No. 2 Young 68, Taft 41: Fenwick transfer Daniel Johnson led the way with 13 points and Jaeshon Thomas scored 10 in the Dolphins’ debut. Sophomore Jewgrante Abraham led Taft with 11.