Josh Pickett was supposed to be one of St. Laurence’s many stars this season. The West Aurora transfer joined a loaded Vikings squad over the summer and then watched as most of the other college prospects on the team transferred away to other schools.
“It’s been an adjustment for sure,” Pickett said. “We had a couple of guys leave before the season and I’ve had to be more versatile. I’m playing down low more and rebounding. That’s just going to make me a better player.”
Pickett’s versatility was on display in the first round of the Jack Tosh Holiday Tournament at York in Elmhurst on Tuesday.
Pickett’s free throw in the final seconds gave St. Laurence a 64-63 win against Andrew. He drew the foul on a drive to the basket.
“We had a play drawn up but I saw the big kid on me, which was something I could exploit. So I went for it and he fouled me,” Pickett said.
The Denver recruit finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Vikings (7-5). Pickett, 6-5, was also the most effective defender on the big kid, Andrew’s 6-10 Grantas Sakenis.
“I haven’t played against a guy that big in high school,” Pickett said. “He is huge, not just tall. He was a great player and that was a tough battle for sure.”
Sakenis led the Thunderbolts (12-2) with 27 points and 10 rebounds.Bradley Stratton, who has made more than 40 threes this season, added 16 points for the Vikings. He was 4 of 11 from three.
More from the Jack Tosh:
Rolling Meadows 57, Glenbard West 35: Ian Miletic continued his breakout season with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The senior was 6 of 11 from three. Lazar Lazrevic added 13 points and Jack Duffer scored 12. Julian Yeh led the Hilltoppers with eight points.
No. 6 Downers Grove North 71, Highland Park 30: One of the tournament favorites rolls to an easy first-round win. Alex Miller led the Trojans with 17 points and Jack Stanton added 13 points, seven assists and five steals. Simon Moschin led Highland Park with 18 points.
Stagg 51, Wheaton North 48: The Chargers are hot, off to an 11-2 start to the season. Domas Narcevicius scored 15 points and Connor Williams 12. Jack Speers led Wheaton North with 21.
Fenwick 56, Naperville North 49 OT: Fenwick didn’t allow the Huskies to score a basket for the final eight minutes. Naperville North managed just two free throws in the overtime. Nate Marshall had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Dominick Ducree added 11 points and seven rebounds for the Friars. Jack Kallstrand led Naperville North with 15 points.
Metamora 84, Hansberry 53: The tournament favorites cruised through the first round and Iowa recruit Cooper Koch was sensation. He set the tone early and finished with 20 points. The senior was 4 of 5 from three-point range. Luke Hopp led Metamora with 24 points and Tyler Mason added 17. Hansberry’s Al Brooks Jr. lived up to the hype growing around him. The 6-7 junior had 23 points, and six rebounds in an 84-53 loss to Metamora, the favorite to win the tournament.
Glenbrook South 72, Glenbard East 44: Things have been a bit quiet around the Titans over the past few weeks but it would be foolish to understimate their chances at York. Glenbrook South dominated the boards with a 28-13 advantage. Nate Kasher led the Titans with 18 points and Nick Taylor added 17. Mike Nee scored 10 for Glenbard East.
Batavia 63, Downers Grove South 43: The Bulldogs shot 56% from the field. Jax Abalos scored 16 and and Nate Nazos added 11.
Palatine 37, Lake Forest 27: There were just 28 field goals made in this one. The Pirates held Lake Forest to just seven points in the second half. Connor May had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Palatine and Tommy Elter added 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Tommie Aberle and Hudson Scroggins each had seven for the Scouts.
No. 19 Riverside-Brookfield 65, Minooka 52: Stefan Cicic, a 6-10 senior, and sophomore guard Cam Mercer were expected to be Riverside-Brookfield’s leaders this season and both players have delivered.
But senior Steven Brown, who wasn’t in the regular rotation last season, has emerged as a key threat for the Bulldogs (11-1). Brown scored 18 and grabbed eight rebounds for Riverside-Brookfield. Cicic finished with 18.
“[Brown] really improved over the summer and has become a major part of our winning,” Cicic said.
Riverside-Brookfield led by seven at halftime. Cicic did the work inside and Brown on the outside and wore down Minooka.
“Steven isn’t a true point guard so he’s playing out of position for us a bit,” Bulldogs coach Mike Reingruber said. “But he’s doing a good job getting guys involved and scoring when he has the opportunity. He’s having a great season.”
Cicic is one of the area’s top uncommitted players.
“I’m talking with some coaches and waiting on a few offers,” Cicic said. “We will see how it goes through the season.”
Lyons 62, St. Patrick 61. Minor upset and an impressive performance from Lions. Liam Taylor (seven threes) led Lyons with 23 points and Brady Chambers (five threes) scored 18. EJ Breland had 27 for the Shamrocks. Mike Bailey’s squad is talented but has been out-toughed a bit both times I’ve seen them. Long season, plenty of time for St. Patrick to figure things out.
Yorkville 48, St. Ignatius 38: It was an especially impressive first half for the Foxes, who have everyone back playing and are starting to look like the team that was ranked in the preseason. Illinois recruit Jason Jakstys made a major impact on both sides of the floor with 14 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and several blocks. Bryce Salek added 11 points. Reggie Ray led the Wolfpack with 16 points and Phoenix Gill scored 10.
No. 12 Bolingbrook 72, Nazareth 53: Freshman sensation Davion Thompson scored 22 points to lead the Raiders. JT Pettigrew chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds and Josh Aniceto had six assists. Matthew Callahan led Nazareth with 16 points.
St. Francis 54, Lemont 45 OT: Another fun first-round game at York. St. Francis shut Lemont out in the overtime. Dylan Ston did a bit of everything with 15 points, six rebounds and four assists. Aaron Cook added 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Alanas Castillo led Lemont with 17 points.
Conant 61, Glenbard North 47: This is an eye-opener. Conant received some hype in the preseason but entered the tournament at 5-6. Camden Lathos scored 25 points and Ysuf Cisse added 15 points and eight rebounds. Glenbard North, which is now 9-2, was led by Jalen Crues with 14 points and eight rebounds.
York 63, Hinsdale South 26: The host Dukes dominated from the start, outscoring Hinsdale South 22-3 in the first quarter. AJ Levine had 16 points, seven assists and five steals. Nick Dizonno scored 12 and Kyle Waltz and Braden Richardson each scored 10.
Hinkle Holiday Classic at Jacobs
Quarterfinals
No. 14 Waubonsie Valley 71, Grant 33
Grayslake Central 65, Cary-Grove 56: Junior Xavi Granville scored 29 to continue his hot start to the season. The 6-4 wing is averaging 18 points and seven rebounds.
Lake Zurich 57, Jacobs 44: Anton Strelnikov led the Bears with 22 points.
Crystal Lake South 72, Barrington 47: Biggest win of the season so far for the Gators. AJ Demirov scored 33 points.
Big Dipper at Rich
First round
Thornwood 52, TF South 24: A dominant early-morning performance from the Thunderbirds. Kaden Faber had 10 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Tristan Taylor scored nine and Timarri Gearring added eight points and five rebounds. Jaylen Taylor led TF South with seven points.
No. 3 Homewood-Flossmoor 88, Eisenhower 56: Junior Bryce Heard and senior Carson Brownfield both scored 21 for the Vikings and senior Gianni Cobb added 13. AJ Abrams led the Cardinals with 16 points.
Hillcrest 56, Westinghouse 51: This result is a minor surprise. The Hawks pull it off behind 25 points from Jovohn Ratliff.
No. 20 Rich 78, Bremen 30
Crete-Monee 74, Tinley Park 58: Zyheir Gardner scored 35 and dished off five assists. He was 7 for 10 from three-point range. Bryce Lindsey added 11 points. Indion Aurel led the Titans with 13 points.
No. 23 Hyde Park 71, Thornridge 32: The Thunderbirds dominated behind 12 points and eight assists from CJ Thomas.
Bishop Noll, Ind. 70, Evergreen Park 47: Tre Dowdell led Evergreen Park with 16 points.
No. 1 Thornton 85, Crane 41: I wasn’t at this one but the box score says the Wildcats shot 30 for 32 on two-point shots. That’s certainly something. Morez Johnson had 24 points and Cahse Abraham added 22. Meyoh Swansey finished iwth 14 points and five assists.
