Clark Runs Away from Antioch 73-46

I went out to Michele Clark on Wednesday evening to see the 18th ranked Eagles (20-2, 7-1) take on Sean Connor’s Antioch Sequoits (11-17, 7-7). It was my first trip to Michele Clark and my first time seeing the Eagles this season. It happened to be senior night. I hadn’t planned to take senior night photos but given the chance, why not?

Clark has a big team. On its small court, it seemed like there wouldn’t be enough room on the floor for ten players. The Eagles came out in the 3/4 court press. The Sequoits struggled at first but they got the ball up and made some shots. Former DePaul Prep sophomore coach and varsity assistant has his Sequoits playing well.

What is a Sequoit you ask? No one seems to know. One alumnus said he had no idea. One parent said, “who knows?”

Me? I l think a sequoit is a mythical swamp creature that emerges from hiding deep in the lake region to menace unsuspecting flatlanders who wander north off the prairie.

But I digress.

The Eagles got an early lead on the strength of strong outside shooting and points off turnovers a held an eight point at the half.

But Sequoits were hanging around. Late in the third the Sequoits were close. Would it be a repeat of their last trip to the Chicago area last week when a late run and excellent free throw shooting lifted the Sequoits to a two point victory over Ridgewood?

Clark is not Ridgewood. It was Clark that went on the 4th quarter run. A couple of highlight reel alley-oop dunks blew up the gym. Clark coach Terry Head had his team peaking at the right time. Some turnovers, transition buckets and the Eagles had a 25 point lead early in the fourth and went on to a 73-46 victory.

I think the trips to Chicago have given the Sequoits some confidence. They never looked panicked or worried. They were having fun in the small Westside gym against a ranked team filled with large skilled players. I have no doubt Antioch will doing a lot of damage in the Northern Lake County Conference in coming years with Sean Connor at the helm.

DePaul Prep Handles Ridgewood 74-41

The second half of the 2019-2020 high school basketball season began Monday evening with the DePaul Prep Rams hosting the Ridgewood High School Rebels. The Rams defeated the Rebels 74-41. The Rebels were frankly just out-manned by the #11 ranked DePaul squad. The early first quarter pressure helped the Rams jump out the an early lead. The eventual outcome never seemed in doubt.

DePaul moved to 13-2 overall and 5-0 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue. It is a busy week for the Rams. The St. Rita Mustangs come to the Tom Winiecki Gym on Friday and the Steve Pappas Shootout is Saturday with the Rams facing Deerfield at 7:30 p.m. Don’t forget to set your DVR's to record the game which will be televised on WCIU. After you come out and see the Rams victory over Deerfield, you can go home an rewatch it.

DePaul Prep Defeats Ridgewood 56-32 to win 3A Regional

The DePaul Prep Rams took care of business against the host Ridgewood Rebels 56-32 on Friday (March 1, 2019) to win their fifth IHSA Regional Playoff Championship in a row.

This is the last phase of the season—the IHSA 3A Playoffs. Been through Thanksgiving, Christmas, Shootouts, CCL games, now the playoffs. Another Regional championship in the books now its only good teams in front of the DePaul Prep Rams. Carmel, St. Viator, Farragut, Morgan Park and Springfield Southeast. That’s all. No problem.

The Rams have played the schedule for it. They played everyone tough. Took Morgan Park to the end. They can play. They know what to expect. Dribble, shoot, play defense, make layups and most importantly—make free throws. Do those things, get a little luck and who knows.  

Go Rams!