Gotta give North Chicago High's hoops team credit for beating Zion-Benton on Tuesday in the semifinals of the CLC summer league tournament. Alas, the Hawks ran out of gas and lost in the finals to North Lawndale from the Chicago Public League in what could have been a preview of next March's IHSA Class 3A state championship game.
The thing that hurts NC is a lack of height. Basically, the team plays with four guards and small-forward Joshua Wright.
Teams with size like North Lawndale will give the Hawks trouble all year.
The trick for coach King Coleman is to get his swarming, lightning-fast team to frustrate bigger opponents. It's the only path the Hawks have to Peoria.
The 'gentle giant' get run out of the gym? The Z-B's looked good at Libertyville passing scrimmage and their linemen were solid in the big man competition. Add MY to that group and they look a lot different.
BTW...LZ did not look impressive - they are only a shell of what they were a year ago. They will be tough and competitive because that is their nature but they will come back to the pack. Warren was excellent and LF will be able to pass and move the ball on anyone. Libertyville was solid and Mundelein - you can officially get off their band wagon - is a ways away.
I don't think summer league is a real good indication at all of the regular season. Its nice for players to develop and get a workout, but thats about it.
Could not agree with Horatio more. It is very individualized and kids aren't totally focused. Plus when you add in the scrutiny that comes with recruiting over the summer things get very disoriented. It's easy to identify teams with talent and project them to be good but there are a lot of things that can change with kids.