Michael O’Brien’s notebook: Feb. 2, 2016

Most of you have probably seen the video of Crete-Monee’s Dwayne Rose Jr. dunking on MLK day at Joliet Central.

He went for another one of those tonight, but it didn’t fall. The junior is an eye-opening player. The top of the state’s class of 2017 has been up and down throughout their careers. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Rose worked his way into the discussion for Player of the Year honors next season. He has the ability, just needs to put it all together.

Crete-Monee will be a threat in the Bloom Sectional.

This was my first look at Lemont’s P.J. Pipes, a junior that has been putting up nice numbers for the past few seasons. He didn’t do much in the first half but managed to finish with 17 points, was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.

The guy in the photo with this story, the one clutching the basketball with his hair flying everywhere, is Nick Wisz. You wouldn’t know it looking at him, but he’s a heck of a high school basketball player.

***

Tonight’s top games

Thornton 64, Lincoln-Way West 57: The Wildcats are still unbeaten in the area.

Bradley-Bourbonnais 64, Thornridge 58: Nice win for the Boilermakers, who are on a bit of a roll again. It’s going to be awhile before I trust them for the Super 25 though.

Zach Hollywood had 23 points, Micah Bradford scored 18.

St. Joseph 61, Marmion 49: Nick Rakocevic had 24 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. Freshman Marquise Walker did not play. He was held out as a precaution after his injury on Saturday.

DeKalb 68, LaSalle-Peru 51: Big win for the Barbs leaves UIC Prep as the only undefeated team around.

Homewood-Flossmoor 57, Joliet Central 46: Steelmen played tough but couldn’t pull it out. Hearing Kendric Pryor left with an injury.

Lincoln-Way Central 58, Thornwood 52: The Knights can play.

Mike Koszela scored 25 points.

Naperville North 67, Wheaton North 56: The Falcons knocked off Glenbard West last week.

Providence 71, Mount Carmel 62: Upset of the night. Will the Celtics make another February run?