Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Nov. 24, 2015

Was out in St. Charles for two games tonight. Both were definitely worth reading about. Downers Grove South is fun to watch this season. Get out to see them as soon as you can. St. Joseph has reloaded, big shocker.

Both teams were ranked in the preseason Super 25, but both were pretty big unknowns. My first opinion is that they are both better than I expected. Downers Grove South quite a bit and St. Joseph just a bit.

Almost exactly a year ago I watched St. Joseph play at St. Charles East and the team was a disaster. The chemistry was a mess. And then they went on to win the Class 3A state title. Everything felt much better around the team today.

Gene Pingatore: “This group will get better as we go. They have good skills. It’s all about learning how to play the game. We have enough depth where we don’t have to go with somebody if they are screwing up. That makes a big difference.”

That quote didn’t make my story, but I loved it. Wouldn’t every coach love to have that kind of depth? Easy to understand why that makes a big difference.

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OBLIGATORY RECRUITING UPDATE:

Nick Rakocevic said he’s hearing from Miami, Wisconsin, Indiana, USC, Oklahoma. Pingatore made sure to mention Miami as well. Based entirely on that I’m declaring Miami the possible leader. Pingatore (and Rakocevic) also said his recruitment is kinda shutting down until April. No visits or anything, he’s going to concentrate on the season.

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Some notable scores:

Hinsdale South 66, No. 17 Stevenson 47: I’m declaring this the first major upset of the season. Was shocked when I saw the score. Barret Benson (20 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks) is a no doubt Player of the Year candidate but I did not have much hope for his supporting cast. Looks like I was wrong.

Nazareth 48, Willowbrook 41: Ok, not an upset. But I saw the score and got sad that Alonzo Verge is gone.

Vocational 65, Robeson 35: Starting to wonder how good the Cavaliers are. With another day or two to think they may have been in the preseason Super 25. Big game for guard Kewan Smith, a Leo transfer. He had 24 points and five assists.

Jacobs 62, Rolling Meadows 53: Junior Cameron Krutwig is living up to the hype. It’s probably time to head up to Algonquin to get a look at him. He had 26 points, 13 rebounds, six assists in the opener.

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Let the hype begin: Big time freshman Kahlil Whitney scored 27 tonight for Solorio. I don’t have a final score, but it appears it was in a win.

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The Associated Press sent over scores tonight, so we have a more traditional looking scoreboard on the site tonight. Boys basketball scores from all over the state are right here.