Coming into the 2010-11 season, Whitney Young High School was projected as the favorite to win the Class 4A state title. Fast forward to today and #14 Whitney Young is one step closer to claiming the state title. However, instead of the easy path of a #1 seed Whitney Young was projected as, the Dolphins had a sizable test in their opening round game against St. Ignatius, who was no slouch. Despite the deep talent most title title teams have, St. Ignatius had a modest season, but was carried by their one and only star, Sr C Nnanna Egwu (6-10, 220 lbs, signed with Illinois). Egwu's play was not enough as Whitney Young worked their way to a 50-46 victory Friday night on the campus of Whitney Young High School. While the win ensures that the state title dream is still alive, this upcoming Tuesday will prove to be even more of a challenge, something this team didn't think they would have to face until a couple more rounds into the state tournament. Up next, the #3 team in the state: De La Salle Institute. Certainly, the second round of the playoffs was not where Whitney Young planned on playing the #3 team in the state. This game will be one of the most exciting second round match-ups in the state. Both teams have aspirations of cutting down the nets and hoisting the championship trophy down in Peoria a couple weeks from now.
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What to watch for- Whitney Young- The Dolphins have the Division 1 talent that few elite teams in this country have, like powerhouses Oak Hill Academy or Findley Prep. Almost everyone that suits up for Whitney Young has a realistic chance to go to a D-1 program. As an understatement, the Dolphins have greatly underachieved with the talent on this roster. Leading this group of college prospects is Sr SF Sam Thompson (6-6, 180 lbs, signed with Ohio St.) (pictured left). This highly recruited small forward had offers from Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, and Oregon State. With a great AAU run over the summer, Thompson was one of the premier recruits in the state of Illinois for the class of 2011. I've been told he has had a very nice season and could be the best recruit Thad Matta brings in next year for Ohio St. However, in the few games I've seen of his, Whitney Young vs. Simeon (twice) and Whitney Young vs. Morgan Park, Sam Thompson did not stand out like an elite talent normally would. Now, I understand that this is a small sample size, but you would like to see premier talent step up against elite teams like Whitney Young has faced this year. A couple things stand out about Thompson: for his size, he is extremely lanky, and he has great athleticism. Let's start off with the bad; his size. For a small forward, he's got good height, but terrible strength. Although he can jump out of the gym, I have seen Thompson get pushed around on the perimeter. He can't bump with other players stronger than him so he has to shoot over them. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him put on a shooting display that would make scouts drool. What I look for in elite talent is for the player to jump out right away. What I mean by this is rather than watching on TV or in person, I want to look out onto the floor not knowing the jersey number of the top talent and saying, "that guy is that good". Like others on Whitney Young, I don't say that for Thompson. The upside, anyone could add strength and hopefully with about 10 lbs of muscle, Thompson could be a legitimate NBA talent now. He is a great shot blocker, and in garbage time, was putting on a dunking display to oooo and ahhhhh the crowd. The upside is definitely there, but I haven't seen it in person yet. I have been down on Thompson this year, but if I see him put together a good game against De La Salle, I will easily be persuaded that he is one of the best in the state of Illinois now.
One more player that I will be watching is Jr. PF Jermaine Morgan (6-8, 220 lbs, no official offers yet, but UIC is looking at him strongly). Although the size is not too much different from Hamilton, Jr., Morgan has more of an athletic build and is a bit more explosive. He can take players off the dribble but is not the flashiest finisher at the rim. He does not have a good jump shot, but by seeing him take a couple shots during games, I can tell this is something Morgan has been and will continue to work on. If he can improve in this category, more colleges will be at his doorstep with offers. Another reason why I am singling out Morgan is this match-up is that he will most likely be faced against Mike Shaw. I will preview him more, later on, but Mike Shaw of De La Salle is arguably their best player. Morgan will most likely go up against him, so if he can show that he can score over Shaw and hold him down on defense, that will do a lot for his awareness on the recruiting scene.
Other players of note: Jr PG Derrick Randolph (5-7, 145 lbs, no official offers), So. SG Keith Langston (6-4, 175 lbs, no official offers, UIC looking).
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Possibly the most consistent player on the team is Sr. SF Andre "Dre" Henley (go to last weeks blog for more information about Henley). At 6-6, Henley could play both shooting guard and small forward. He has good size and a good shot. He is kind of a flex SF/SG so that should give Whitney Young a huge challenge. Henley gets to the basket very well but is a good facilitator so other players around the hoop should benefit from his maneuverability around defenders. I think Henley, out of any player on De La Salle, has to have a big playoff run to re-get the attention of other colleges. I look for him to really bring it on Tuesday.
One more player of note: So. PG Jaylon Tate (6-0, 170 lbs, offers from Illinois and DePaul). Tate's name has burst onto the recruiting scene over the last couple of months for the class of 2013. He is more of a combo guard with his lack of high basketball IQ at the point guard position and lack of height for the shooting guard position. In the end, Tate will be a a point guard, but it is not unrealistic to think that one day he will play for a D-1 program. Tate will act as the floor general setting up the likes of Shaw, Henley, and Foster. He will be challenged on the defensive end by Derrick Randolph of Whitney Young. If he has a nice showing, it should definitely raise the awareness even more.
Final Ponderings- The most talented team on paper is Whitney Young, but the most talented team I have seen this year is De La Salle. The biggest challenge in this game will be how De La Salle could take Thomas Hamilton, Jr. out of the game. With his size, he has the potential to take over the game. Ultimately, I think that diverse play of Foster and Henley will cause a lot of mismatches for Whitney Young. I expect one, if not both, to have great games. I am excited to see how the raw Jaylon Tate can handle the back-court pressure Whitney Young puts on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. For me, the most to prove is Sam Thompson. I know that he is talented, but the most points I have seen him put up this year is 13 and most of that came in garbage time against Simeon in a victory. For his size, he is one of the best shot blockers in the state. For the Dolphins, he is the go-to guy. When all else fails, Thompson is left with the ball, and for the games I have watched the season, Thompson has done little to impress. As for Shaw, I think much of what has plagued him this season will continue on Tuesday, in that some moments he looks like the best player on the court, and other moments looks less involved than the security guard standing in the corner of the gymnasium. On the season, Whitney Young has not impressed, other than a win in the semifinals of the city championship vs Simeon. The talent is there, but it has not always translated into wins. De La Salle has impressed me a lot this year and unlike Whitney Young, their talent typically translate into wins. In the end, I see De La Salle moving on with a 57-51 victory in Elmhurst this upcoming Tuesday.
Next post: 3/12 or 3/13 with the results of the game
Also, for my newest follower, check out her blog at emptynestinsider.blogspot.com
I hear your dancing isn't at as high a level as your blogging. Whats up with that.
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