Natalia Chi
Rich and Big Dipper
when: December 27-30
Team to beat: hillcrest
Up until this point, a team that was perhaps even better than advertised. With just one loss on the season and a crushing 68-63 loss to Class 3A power East St. Louis, the Hawks (11-1) had something special. It looks like it’s brewing well and is a very strong candidate for winning the Dipper.
There was a big defection as two Division I players moved over the summer. But this team is united, playing with chips on their shoulders led by a senior trio of Darrion Baker, 6-9, Quentin Headey, 6-5, and point guard Bryce Tiller.
Top Challenger: hyde park
The defending tournament champions defeated Hillcrest in last year’s title game. Hillcrest’s tournament looks to have been eliminated this year, but don’t underestimate his backcourt starting from Hyde Park and Cameron Williford and Damarion Morris. Jarrell Baldwin has been a junior since he was six years old and has been a big help to first year coach Jerrel Oliver after moving from HF.
Dark Horse: Perspectives – Leadership, De La Salle, Thornton, Rich
Outlook – Leadership has battled some inconsistencies in the early stages, but is a dangerous team. In the backcourt, juniors Gianni Cobb and Tim Handy have quite a firepower to go with seniors Jakeem Cole and his KJ Cobb.
Gary DeCesare’s De La Salle team is 8-3. Meteors has size, young talent, and wants to know where they are in development. The balance they showed is positive.
Richard Lindsey led the Meteors with 12.6 points and 5 rebounds, while Evan Jackson had 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds. Anthony Davis (8.5 points, 4 assists) is consistent in the backcourt. Promising 6-5 Junior Tavaryuan Williams is expected to make his first action of the season with the Dipper.
Thornton have high-scoring Vincent Rainey and Rich has played on the home floor under first-year coach Lou Adams and has won six of their last seven.
5 players to watch: Darion Baker, Hillcrest. Tim Handy and Gianni Cobb, perspective. Cameron Williford, Hyde Park.Vincent Rainey, Thornton
Notable Underrated Players: Bryce Tillery, Hillcrest
Just ask Hillcrest coach Don Huston how important a pint-sized point guard is to his team. increase.
Stories to follow: Revival of the Big Dipper
Once one of the state’s must-see holiday tournaments, this proud tournament certainly hasn’t returned from its heyday. But after years of being virtually non-existent, 2022 takes a great step forward.
We are looking at attractive and competitive second round games for this year’s tournament.
But can this year’s tournament grab enough headlines to help build towards a full comeback in the years to come?
Select title game: hyde park hilltop
