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.
Lenzelle Smith to Waukegan?
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why won't that happen at Waukegan?
Mike Springs will be a senior and he is the point guard. Aaron Johnson, who will be a junior next year, will be the 2 guard. The whole in the lineup that Waukegan has is for a "4" a big powerful player who can rebound and score inside.
That is Zelle ... a powerful, unstoppable inside player who can rebound. Hence, h e wouldn't be the point guard at Waukegan that he can be at Z-B.
Jeff,
How many games do they play in high school verses how many games do they play in their AAU/club league? Could he not play and learn how to be a dominant point guard on his club league and a dominant “4” on a high school team and still be ok.
The one thing I have learned over the years is never under estimate kids desire to win and the desire to play with their friends.
Guys - I know Lenzelle, I've talked to Lenzelle, he's not going anywhere. Bonato is correct in noting that he is eligible to play at ZB even if the family moves. Its not going to happen. Tell Sakomoto at the Trib the same.
would he make that bulldogs team the greatest in lake county history? if so, why not go for it?
Zelle's No. 1 and only basketball "job" right now is to turn himself into the very best guard he can be because that's what Ohio State gave him a scholarship to become.
THEY are going to want him to develop as some sort of combo guard ... a Scottie Pippen-type at the very least who can bring the ball up the floor against man-to-man pressure.
He can rack up 30 games of valuable experience next winter doing just that while playing for Z-B.
Besides, what makes you think that Z-B isn't going to be real good. What if Zelle averaged 25 a game and the Williams kid becomes the kind of "3" I think he's capable of being ... that is, a 15-ppg scorer. You've got Worthington to be the human eraser on the glass.
And remember, Warren will be in Year 1 of its three-year plan to win state (they will be pick to click in 2012) so they won't be as good next year. Lake Forest won't be as good.
Other than the Waukegan machine and Mundelein, Z-B still looks like a top-four seed for the sectional.
There's too much upside fo Zelle to leave Z-B. And, if nothing else, after waiting three years on the varsity, this will finally be his team, with him running the show. This will be a great chance to learn and demonstrated leaderships skills, stuff that will come in handy at OSU.
Obviously, Waukegan would be awesome with Lenzelle .... if they kept all their other returning players. What makes you think Lenzelle is the only player capable of transferring?
Yeah put the shoe on the other foot, why wouldnt Jereme Richmond come to Zion? Waukegan loses a huge piece in Nickerson. It was obvious to me in the state final, without Nickerson they arent out of the sectional at all. If J Rich comes to Zion, they are the automatic favorites to win it all. They would have two dominant scorers inside and out, and williams and big O are better than the role players are waukegan too.
I, too, heard this rumor before last weekend's games. A student I teach, who plays AAU ball, (and plays for a local blue/gold h.s.) told me as much. I have my sources out there trying to find what the scoop is... but what does jumping ship really offer?
This WILL be his year and his team. Lenzelle has enough time ahead of him in life to move around and see who can offer what. His friends are at ZB - he should stick around and take advantage of all that his senior year offers!!!
I totally agree with some of you when you say that this would be his year and he will be the leader on this ZB team.Now dont get me wrong,if he attends waukegan next season with Jeremy"KOOL-AID"Richmond and supporting cast,it'll make them the best 1,2 punch combo in the land of Lincoln since K.G & Ronnie Fields."That'll be a site to see"!It'll be an economic upside to it but on da other side,alot of feelings would be hurt.True ZB fans in particular.Now ive been to nearly every ZB game the Past couple of years and ive learned that Zion,as a city,loves their TEAM and supports the starting six on down to the last man on the bench.I especially here questions during pre-game warm-ups such as"Which one is Ronald Steward"or"Whats Lenzelle Smith's number"comes out of the mouthes of cross towners who take road trips just to see our boys play the game we so love to see them play.And i gotta admit"They play it darn well".Lenzelle will be a four year varsity player come next season,and had the talent to have started his freshman year along side his brother and four year starter #15 Ronald"Ron-Ron"Steward.Had Smith started his freshman year along with lighting up the score board the same way he has been the past few years,he would be on the verge of topping the great"Andre White"and becoming ZBTHS All-time Leading scorer.Now after you do the math,you may say that the kid is a day late and a dollar short,but me myself,knowing that he has a GPA of 4.3,he'll find a way to top it...jus kidding! but I would'nt put it past the kid.He is just that kind of athlete.The kid can score at will and if you dont believe me,just ask Mike & Mike.Coaches Mike Weinstein & Mike Springs of(RISING STARS)Joy of the Game that is!.With all that being said,Lenzelle is from waukegan & i believe that he has lots of love for the city as well as the players on the bulldogs roster but his heart is with Zion-Benton.I believe that even if Lenzelle"Rev."Smith was to land that pastoral position at Greater Faith,they would leave it up to Lenzelle Jr. and trust him to make the right decision.And with the the morals and respect instilled in him as well as in his other sibling,through both parents,Teshela and Lenzelle Smith,im sure Lenzelle & his brother Ronald will sit and be kids for a moment,dreaming of what it would be like to have him and there other friend J.Rich torturing any competition.Then reality will set in and the young men that they were raised to be will start to settle in.They would think about the years,the moments,highs and lows,the ups and the downs.Then they would think about the fans.How the fans respect them as student athletes.How the fans traveled far and near threw rain,sleet and snow to watch the kids perform for 32 minutes.Finally,we got the run at state last year.Talk about support!The team was welcomed back to the city as if they were state champs.The fans where everywhere for miles and miles on every corner.Honking horns,holding decorated posters reading"YOU ARE STILL STATE CHAMPS #1".& "WE LOVE YOU ANYWAY ZB's".From all of the remember this and remember that's,and with Ronald going off to school in the fall,i wouldn't be surprised if they was to get mushy,breaking out into crocodile tears...well maybe thats a bit much,but they would at least get glossy-eyed.I agree with Bonato and i believe Lenzelle would also.He's gonna be running PG for OSU in 2010 and what better opportunity than now to start preparing for the challenge.Its not about what's happening today but it is about planning for a better tomorrow!Lenzelle knows that!Thats why,come fall,we will see the #32 over a maroon and white jersey,standing inside of The Hive for one last year.He's gonna do it for his brother(one of his biggest Fans),for his fans and for every kid across chicagoland that has hoopdreams as he once did and still does.IT'S GOING TO BE AN ELECTRIFYING SEASON!(THE YEAR OF DA #32).