Recapping the Steve Pappas Shootout

Last season was my first trip to the Tom Weinicki Gymnasium. DePaul Prep beat St. Rita in that game 41-32.

Saturday I headed back down to the North Side to cover the 4th annual Steve Pappas Shootout. It's the first time I have ever gone to this particular shootout. Every other time I've wanted to go, there was inclement weather.

The shootout did not disappoint. Here is a recap:

DePaul Prep 51 Lake Forest 45: P.J. Chambers Ices the Game with 4 Free Throws; Scouts' Comeback Falls Short

The Rams had a seemingly comfortable lead for most of this game. Junior guard P.J. Chambers had the hot hand early and often, and the Rams led by 10 after 3 quarters. However Lake Forest's 6-7 senior Clemson commit Asa Thomas, and 6-2 junior Tommy Aberle had other ideas.

After a cold start to the game, Asa Thomas tacked off the final 7 points of the first half, and co-led with Aberle for a potential comeback in the fourth quarter. The Scouts got the score to 47-45 inside the final minute, but P.J. Chambers put the Scouts' comeback to the halt with 4 straight free throws.

Chambers had 22 points, and 6-6 sophomore Jonas Johnson had 10 points and 4 rebounds for the Rams. Asa Thomas had 24 points and 8 rebounds, and Tommy Aberle had 16 points for the Scouts.

Glenbrook North 65 St. Ignatius 57: Spartans Bounce Back after Tough Loss to Rival Titans

This was a good all around game. Spartan juniors Josh Fridman and Owen Giannoulias led the way. Fridman had 24 points including 8/9 free throws, and Giannoulias had 17 points including 3 threes. The Spartans led by 10 after 1, and by 11 after 3. The Wolfpack hung around thanks in part to Owen Khyl, and George Mason commit Richard Barron. The 6-5 Barron had a big game for the Wolfpack with 25 points including a 4-point play midway through the third quarter. Owen Khyl had 12 points off the bench, including a three with over a minute left in regulation to get the Wolfpack to within 5.

Brother Rice 73 Bolingbrook 61: Raiders Hang Around, but Are Unable to Recover from Fast Start by Crusaders

Brother Rice came out of the gate and blitzed a very good Bolingbrook defense in the first quarter. They led by 20 early in the second quarter before the Raiders ended the first half on a 16-4 run. Throughout the second half the Crusaders stayed in cruise control and finished with a 12-point win. Niagara commit Ahmad Henderson led the Crusaders with 22 points (4/6 3 pt.). Khalil Ross had 16 points and 9 rebounds, and Peter McShane had 15 points for the Crusaders. Josh Aniceto had 15 points for the Raiders, and Aries Hull had 13 points and 6 rebounds. D.J. Strong finished with 10 points.

Joliet West 62 Rolling Meadows 60: Jeremy Fears Comes Up Clutch; Mark Nikolich-Wilson Impresses

Game of the year candidate. This one had everything: star players, clutch plays, grit and toughness, etc. The most impressive performance came from Mustangs big man Mark Nikolich-Wilson. The 6-7 senior had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists. Mustangs point guard Cam Christie, a Minnesota commit, had 19 points. The player of the game was Michigan State commit Jeremy Fears. Fears had 24 points, including two go-ahead shots. The first go ahead shot was a three at the 3rd quarter buzzer, and the second was the game winning bucket with three seconds to go. Younger brother, and sophomore, Jeremiah Fears had 14 points for the Tigers.