High School Hoops Showdown
- NEWS RELEASE -
For Immediate Release
April 18, 2014
Contact: Scott Chandler (630-963-7355)
"18th Annual H. S. Hoops Showdown” Announced
Lisle, IL --- The Integrity Group today confirmed the pairings for next season’s “High School Hoops Showdown”. The nationally known event, which has averaged close to 4,500 fans, returns to Hinsdale Central H.S. and will feature two members of the West Suburban Conference – Silver Division. The double-header is set for Saturday, January 24, 2015.
Game 1 (6:00 tip-off) will take fans into “the Lions Den” as the “Lions” of Arlington Heights-St. Viator, take on the “Lions” of LaGrange-Lyons Township. St. Viator (23-6) made it to the Sectionals last season and return three starters with help on the way from a 24-1 sophomore team. They’ll be led by G Roosevelt Smart (Sr., 6-3). Lyons Township (17-11) returns several players and also figures to receive help from key members of their sophomore squad. Led by G Harrison Niego (Sr., 6-2), LTHS figures to be greatly improved next season and could surprise if their younger players meet expectations.
In Game 2 (8:00 tip-off), it’s two of the top teams in the western suburbs as Westchester-St. Joseph goes up against Hinsdale Central. The “Chargers” (23-7), who figure to show up in everyone’s Pre-Season Top-5 rankings, return all of their starters --- including three D-1 prospects --- and will feature PF Nick Rakocevic (Jr., 6-9). The “Red Devils” (23-7), the two-time defending WSC-Silver Division Champions, return a majority of their starters and key rotation players. They’ll be led by PF Matt Rafferty (Sr., 6-8) a top prospect in the class of 2015. Both schools made it to the Sectionals last season and will try to pick up where they left off.
This year’s double-header featured great Coaches, great Teams, and great Players. In Game 1, the “Redwings” from Lisle-Benet Academy uncharacteristically blew a 19 pt. lead to the Milwaukee-Hamilton “Wildcats” and lost by the score of 61-59. Benet would go on to finish second in the Illinois 4A state tournament, and Hamilton (with McDonald’s All-American Kevon Looney), would win the Milwaukee city title. In Game 2, Hinsdale Central lost to Oak Park-Fenwick by a score of 58-46. The “Friars” were led by G Mike Smith (So., 5-9) with 26 pts., including 17-17 from the line. Fenwick went 23-27 from the charity stripe to pull away from a game that was tied with less than four minutes remaining.
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Complete information on tickets, which will also be available at the schools on a “First Come, First Served” basis, will be announced at a later date.
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Within the next week, The Integrity Group Partners plans to announce the teams for their 20th Annual McDonald’s® “City-Suburban Showdown”. For more information, on either event, you can visit our web site at www.integritygrp.com, or e-mail us at: info@integritygrp.com.