Am reminded of what happened at Z-B High this year. Little did we know that Rodney Clinkscales' loss from the 2008 team to graduation would leave such a big hole in the lineup. It seemed like shuffling pieces, with Zelle Smith moving to guard, Quintrell Love moving to small forward and the big Worthington kid taking over for Antonio Stewart at power forward. And that would leave Z-B poised to win it all in 2009.
Didn't happen.
Think about that when you start penciling in Waukegan to win the 2010 state championship.
Colin Nickerson did a lot of things for the Bulldogs besides score. He was the team's best defensive player and always played the role of lockdown corner against the opponent's high scorer. He also could rebound, lead the break, and hit from behind the arc as well as drive to the basket. That is a huge hole Waukegan will have to fill. One player isn't going to be able to wear Colin's shoes, and when you start asking other players to do more, it takes away from what they currently do well.
In other words, it's OK to plan that state-championship parade down Washington St. in Waukegan for next March, just don't pay for the parade permit just yet.
March 2009 Archives
Zion-Benton isn't going to drop off the planet. They have an all-state calibre player in Zelle Smith, and two front-line guys to play the "3" and "5".
All they need are a couple of slick, ball-handling guards who can shoot the 3-ball.That may be the easiest thing to find in the school.
North Chicago, as presently composed, IS going to struggle. The last two years they have basically played a four-guard offense with a hard-working, blue-collar post player (Joshua Wright this past season). Problem is, it's not clear if there is anybody 6-4/6-5 in school who can fill his shoes next year. Without at least one rebounder, the four- and five-guard offense will struggle mightily against any team with a decent post presence.
Watch out for Mundelein ... a very very very early pick to click next winter. Again, the team needs a post player who wants to rebound and block shots.
Waukegan fans will discover that Colin Nickerson brought much more to the table than just points and rebounds. It will be tough to fill his shoes.
Word everywhere is that Warren's current freshman class is best in school history. That will make them sophomores on the varsity next winter. They are one year away from an amazing two-year run for the gold.
Well, anything is possible.
I mean, who would have ever thought that our area would have prep basketball teams post near-miss second-place finishes in back-to-back years in the IHSA playdowns.
That said, there is way too much upside for 'Zelle to leave Zion-Benton.
For starters, when he gets to Ohio State, he's going to have to play guard and handle the ball A LOT.
At Z-B next year, he will be THE MAN in the backcourt. Worthington & Williams are back as front-liners but there is not an estatiblshed guard in the lot. Learning to develop as a ball-handling guard is 'Zelle's first objective for next year. That won't happen at Waukegan.
Second, he doesn't have to go to Waukegan even if his dad "moves" there. The IHSA allows players who have gone to a school for three years to attend that same school as a senior even if the family lives in another town. So, a "move" by the family won't force Zelle out of Z-B.
Finally, what is the upside to transfering to Waukegan. The chance to play in a state-championship game? He's already done that. Besides, if he goes to Waukegan, how many minuttes later do you think another starter from this year's Waukegan team will take before announcing he's transfering OUT of Waukegan.
The Peoria Civic Center may be the perfect place for the IHSA state hoops tourney ... if you live in Peoria.
But for Chicago-type people like us, it is almost impossible to get to. It's just a long, long, long drive.
Do you think the tourney for the big schools should be moved? And, if so, should it go to Rosemont, the Sears Centrre in Hoffman Estates, Rockford?
Or should Gurnee build a 10,000-seat arena and take over the tourney itself?
Having watched our Warhawks get drubbed in back-to-back years in the Round of 8 super-sectional at the Sears Centre, it's obvious that two things are needed to take North Chicago's boys basketball team to the next level:
Two quality transfers.
One of the two has to be a 6-6 post player who can block shots and rebound.
The other has to be a Quon Conner-type, who played two years at NC but is now starring for Waukegan High.
Without two additions like that, NC is destined to go 23-7 next year and again get whacked at the Sears Centre.
If Waukegan was awarded a point for every tattoo on every player who competed last weekend in Peoria in the IHSA state basketball tournament, we would have the first-place trophy in our school right now instead of the second-place one.
Seems like every player has multple tattoos, and these are high-school kids.
What gives?
Is it because of all the tattoos that the NBA players have?
Actually thought we played well, except for shooting the ball.
Went home last March feeling we were capable of winning and am going home tonight feeling the exact same way.
Good news is that nobody in the Purple/Gold has to shoulder the blame. We played well enough to win and the five guys we used all played effectively.
Special kudos to sophomore Aaron Johnson who was incredibly effective.
Again, we played well enough to win, jus tlike Z-B last March
Cannot believe it didn't happen for us.
It's starting to feel Cub-like.
Friday night the Waukegan Bulldogs trounced Dundee-Crown to advance to the IHSA Class 4A finals. Today, Saturday, the Bulldogs play against Chicago Young. Tonight's game will air on Channel 50 live at about 8:15 p.m. If you have the Comcast cable TV system, the game will be shown on Channel 8. Join us in the Locker Room and chat with us live starting at 8:15 p.m. as the Bulldogs try to make history.
Final score 67-46. And it wasn't THAT close.
See you tomorrow night for the first state title game in Waukegan Bulldogs history.
Jeremy Long with two straight jumpers going in for the Dogs. Good to see the juniors scoring.
67-39.
Stick around and watch the next game to see how our competition in the state title game will be. Whitney Young vs. Thornton. Both of those teams are way better than Dundee-Crown. Hopefully, they's wear each other out.
Too bad it's not like the old days when you play two games in the same day. Our guys would be totally rested.
Watch No. 22 for Waukegan. Time to start thinking about next year with Anton Williams. He's a big guy for the Bulldogs. Hey, he just hit a trey.
It's Melissa Green being interviewed. The late Gerald Green's wife. Nice to see her on the tube.
OK, we have the bench in the game. Let's see if our second-stringers can compete.
OK...we're up 31...time to start thinking about the subs. 55-24 at the end of three quarters. I haven't heard the announcers talk about the biggest massacres in a semifinal game, but in terms of pure talent, it doesn't get much more lopsided than this. The last three minutes of the quarter it looked like our guys were taking it easy and we still increased the lead.
Silly, silly shot by Nick. Followed by a three from Mike Springs. 51-22 us. The only thing I'm worried about is that Aaron Johnson left the court. He looked a little hurt. Hopefully nothing serious.
It's a layup drill. 44-16 Bulldogs. I say we let the Chargers put a sixth player on the court.
Trey by Jereme...just like he started the first half.
good sign...we're putting in the football players in the first half. Might as well rest our guys. Steven Clairborn is in...good for him.
Another trey by Nick...20-point lead...17 points for Colin...how did this team (Dundee-Crown) get this far. Hard to believe.
Don't hang on the rim, Jereme. Jeeez.
Obviously the announcers think it's over...interviewing a kid while the game is going on. Oops, there's another layup by Nickerson.
We are way too quick for them.
17-6 at end of first quarter...we kind of slowed the pace toward the end there, but this one looks very well in hand.
After eight minutes, it's pretty apparent our Dogs have the Chargers from Dundee-Crown on the run.
What's the slaughter rule?
Double digit lead already...when's Dundee going to take a Time out? Is it time for the fans to start chanting "This one's over."
Trey for Jereme...we're off.
Kinda cool...all the bench guys get a little TV time during intros.
It's almost game time, people.
Make NO plans for late Saturday night. We are gonna be playin' for the state title!
You can put it on the board ......................................YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We might win by 40 on Friday night!!!!!!
OK.
Stay calm.
35.
Waukegan crowd going nuts. Celebration huge. Fourth quarter noise is deafening
first time at state in 34 years
Let's get our stars outta there. Don't need any "technicals" for hanging on rim
Playing like a state champion.
Unbelievable
Green Monster going nuts!!!!!!!!!!
Green Monster is Waukegan's student-fan section. Called Green Monster after giant Green Monster that scares pitchers, outfielders and hitters alike at Fenway Park in Boston.
That green monster is intimidating.
Our Green Monster is intimidating.
28-17 at halftime for Dundee-Crown over mighty Neuqua Valley
Richmond has taken over this game. We are up 11 with 6:04 left in game after a monster dunk by the Player of the Year.
This one is over
What do you want to know about Dundee-Crown?
They play in the Fox Valley Conference.
44-37 after a terrible quarter by our side.
No way we play that poorly down the stretch. Figure we will build on lead.
Caravan leaves for Peoria at 2 p.m. on Friday!!!!!
Richmodn looks sick as in not feeling well
Waukegan has slowed game but maintains 7-point lead at 44-37 late in third
Waukegan forced to take a timeout at 43-37 waukegan with 1 minute left in third quarter.Same kind of lull that nearly doomed our guys against Warren has struck again again GBN
but don't panic
Richmond hurt. Sitting on floor next to bench
Wkg speed too much for GBN right now, causing turnovers.
Weber's kid keeping them in game with 4 3s
Nickerson 13 points, Richmond 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks,
Neuqua Valley has won at least 23 games in each of the last five seasons, including this one. They are our likely opponent at 6:30 p.m. in Friday's semifinals. Neuqua beat Z-B this year, but Zion was without Yarbrough and was in the middle of its three-week funk at the time when it lost five times.
Neuqua Valley has never played in Peoria before. Pencil them in for the third-place game on Saturady night at 6:30.
2004-05 | | 24 4 | Todd Sutton
2005-06 | R | 23 8 | Todd Sutton
2006-07 | R | 25 6 | Todd Sutton
2007-08 | RS | 26 8 | Todd Sutton
Glenbrook North staying in game only with 3-point shooting.
Otherwise, it's all us.
at halftime, Waukegan ahead 36-28 and 16 minutes from Peoria. More importantly, we're the better team.
This game is way more likely to end with us winning by 15 than it is with GBN winning by 1.
29-19 late in first half
Waukegan's Colin Nickerson has back-to-back dunks and leads with 11 points, forcing Glenbrook North to take a timeout.
Place packed with Purple Green & Gold and is up for grabs.
Waukegan is ahead 19-15.
Richmond has 8 points so far
Waukegan coming up huge on the backboards to forge a small lead after 8 minutes
Bulldogs 4-for-4 at foul line (Richmond 2, Conner 2)
late in first quarter, even game.
2:40 on clock: 11-11. Richmond with 4 points
Glenbrook North hits 3 striaght 3-point shots and is up 9-5 very early
North Chicago fans sticking around to cheer on Waukegan, showing class. GBN student section behind one of the baskets. Bulldogs' fans have better seats.
Bulldogs have way more fans than GBN. Waukegan fans already on their feet waiting for their team.
87-46 ... a 41-point slaughter.
worse than last year's wipeout loss to Chicago Marshall in the same spot in the tournament..
First-team All-Staters are Jereme Richmond, Brandon Paul, Matt Vogrich, Lenzelle Smith and Jack Cooley from GBS.
King Coleman goes to end of bench to let everyone experience the Sears Centre. We're down a lot, like 30 points
Just learned AP all-state first team has four players from Lake County
North Lawndale empties bench, ahead 72-42.
Same exact thing as last year against Chicago Marshall.
end of three quarters: 52-36 North Lawndale.
Waukegan fans have arrived and have shown up in huge numbers
Hawks much more poised in second half, but it's a bit too late.
48-33
nothing has changed
2:12 left in third quarter
46-33 for the Phoenix
18 first-half turnovers for North Chicago. Hawks shooting 30 percent from field, North Lawndale 51 percent.
Too much depth and talent on North Lawndale, Hawks trail 40-21 at halftime. Ford had seven points to lead NC.
Frosh Aaron Simpson not intimidated, looks good with five points.
Just as we feared: ... 40-21
33-15 with 3 minutes left in first half.
O-V-E-R
1st qt. North Chicago 12 turnovers, a sure recipe for g etting blown out
Keith Ford playing heart out for Hawks, not getting much help. Too many weapons for North Lawndale.
It's a dunk fest to end the quarter as NC is getting blown out.
22-9 after one and pretty much over. Lawndale had four jams in the first eight minutes
North Chicago takes its THIRD timeout of the first quarter as game is totally out of hand already at 19-9. It's a layup drill for the Phoenix as turnovers are dooming the Warhawks
Turnovers. Turnovers. Turnovers.
North Chicago forced to take a second timeout trailing 14-9 late in quarter. Sloppy play and matador defense causing deficit. Hawks lucky so far that the Phoenix has not been hot from field
3:26 left in first: 10-5 for North Lawndale. NC having trouble with Phoenix's pressing, trapping defense
Before tip-off, North Chicago has filled its section with fans at the Sears Centre. No fans so far for North Lawndale. Winner of this game to play at noon in Peoria in Class 3A semifinals.
Starters for North Chicago: Michael Simpson, DeShawn Chambliss, Chris Bryant, Joshua Wright and Keith Ford. Lawndale's 6-11 Paul Bunch not starting.
Sparce crowd, with everybody stuck in traffic on I-90 tollway.
Even North Lawndale late getting to arena because bus was stuck in traffic.
King Coleman dressed to kill in all black with a red tie.
Both teams have their primary school color. North Chicago's wearing home whites.
News-Sun sports writers Dave Masterson & Darren Day will be court-side at the IHSA Round of 8 super-sectional games at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.
Starting at 6 p.m. (North Chicago/North Lawndale tipoff) and continuing with the 8 o'clock game (Waukegan/Glenbrook North), Dave & Darren will be offering up their impressions on how things are looking for the local teams.
On March 5, 2003, Langston Hughes of Warren High hit a long, long 3-point shot at the buzzer in the Waukegan Sectional semfinals to turn defeat into a stunning victory over Zion-Benton.
Last March, Zion-Benton's Ronald Steward hit a 43-foot shot at the buzzer to give the Bees a 3-point win over Evanston in the semifinals of the IHSA Class 4A tournament. Although, had he missed, Z-B would not have lost the game, but merely had to go into overtime.
Friday night, Waukegan's Jereme Richmond hit a half-court shot at the buzzer to turn an apparent defeat into a stunnign win over Warren .
Yet, talking to people who were there, they insist that the greatest shot in county prep hoops history was one Rufus Woods made ot beat Waukegan in a regional in the mid-1960s.
Is this true?
Here in The Locker Room, we feel really bad for Waukegan High's senior student-fans who have united to to support an oustanding and very exciting boys basketball team.
The fact of the matter is, Jereme Richmond is going to have many many more opportunities to play in front of a frenzied SRO crowd, both next year and in college, and maybe even in the NBA.
Colin Nickerson is going to be a four-year starter at Fairfield University and someday he's going to hit a shot that will vault his team into the NCAA version of March Madness.
And for the rest of Waukegan High's key players, there is always next year.
But for the seniors at Waukegan High, barring a miracle on Wednesday, they will never get to experience the exhiliration that Zion-Benton's students experienced last year in Peoria at the state tournament.
It gets no better than that ... just ask any kid who was a senior at Z-B High last year.
Now, it looks as though Waukegan High's senior student fans will never get their chance.
And that is really sad.
Maybe it's the snow and the cold.
Or maybe it's the fact that sometime in the second half of a loss to Lake Forest, the realization set in that North Chicago High's boys basketball team was NOT going to be playing Peoria.
Whatever the reason, in The Locker Room these days, there's been a lot of chatter about baseball ... minor-league baseball, and specificially, the new Northern League team that will be based in Zion and will start competing in May of 2010.
People, you are really going to enjoy having this team in our neighborhood.
Yeah, it's true the the predictions written on The Locker Room walls haven't always been right.
But this is a stone-cold lock. Everyone one of us will be making multiple trips up Trumpet Business Park to enjoy a morning, afternoon or evening of baseball.
It won't be the Cubs or the Brewers, but it will still be fun.
And when we leave, we'll be leaving with change in our pockets.!
