Fourth-ranked Simeon (2-1) hung a 26-13 first-quarter scoring binge on host Champaign Centennial and maintained the edge the rest of the way in a 73-55 victory Saturday.
Belefia Parks had 17 points, Shawn Kelly 13 points and nine rebounds, and Ed Richardson and Montrise Merkson 12 apiece for the Wolverines. Larry Simmons had 17 and Roger Hutchison 12 for Centennial (3-4).
Simeon scored the first 10 points of the game and never permitted Centennial to get closer than nine.
”I substituted freely tonight to give my bench some playing experience, but we were a little ragged,” said Simeon coach Bob Hambric.
West Aurora 54, Glenbard West 37-Michael Simmons scored 18 points to lead the No. 5 Blackhawks (4-1) to the nonconference victory in Glen Ellyn. West Aurora`s Billy Taylor was held to six points and four rebounds after landing on his tailbone early in the first quarter; he continued to play, however.
The Blackhawks won the rebounding battle 33-19 and held Glenbard West to 6 of 23 shooting in the first half, which ended with West Aurora ahead 24-14. ”We were having a little trouble with our offense and we weren`t as aggressive on the press as I would have liked, but we just seemed to get an open shot,” West Aurora coach Gordon Kerkman said.
”I thought we competed pretty well,” said Glenbard West coach Dan McGee. ”I felt our defense wasn`t that bad. I just wish kids who played good defense would get a little more credit.”
Batavia 82, St. Charles 71-Corey Williams erupted for a career-high 37 points and added 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, LaMarr Justice had 18 points and Brian Schwab 12 as Batavia (7-0) swept past St. Charles in nonconference action. J.T. McFarland had 26 and Matt Gullickson 21 for St. Charles (3-4).
Batavia led only 34-33 at halftime before moving away in the third quarter.
”I expect this kind of a game when we play them,” said Batavia coach Jim Roberts. ”This is usually the way it is. When the shoe has been on the other foot and they had better personnel, we always battled them.”
Proviso West 62, Fremd 46-Unbeaten No. 10 Proviso West built a 28-24 halftime lead en route to its sixth straight victory behind Rico Hill (22 points, five rebounds, five assists) and Mike Chambers (17 points, five rebounds, six assists). Johan Dinkelman had 12 points and six rebounds and Mike Atois had 11 points and five rebounds for Fremd (1-5).
The game was tied eight times in the first 13 minutes before Proviso snapped a 22-22 tie with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter and held on. West hit its first five shots in the third quarter and shot 70 percent for the quarter.
”We hung in and didn`t panic in the first half,” said Proviso West coach Lowell Lucas. ”I thought the kids played well, because they played the game instead of the scoreboard. I thought we got into our rhythm in the last 2 1/2 minutes of the first half. We hit some good 15 footers and our offense started to flow.”
”They stepped up their defense in the third quarter,” said Fremd coach Mo Tharp. ”I told the kids at the half that West had gotten eight points off the transition in the first and we couldn`t let that happen in the second half.”
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Fenton 71, Libertyville 64-Fenton (6-1, 4-0 in the North Suburban)
outscored Libertyville 39-30 in the second half to win. Dan Jacobsen (32 points), Sam Darwish (23 points) and Kile Shafer (14 points) accounted for 69 of Fenton`s 71 points. Libertyville (5-2, 3-1) got 19 points from Matt Williams and Brian Davis and 17 from Andy Bauer. Libertyville closed to 68-64 with 25 seconds left on a Williams three-pointer, but could get no closer.
Nazareth 66, Chicago Christian 49-Nazareth (7-0, 4-0 in the Private School League) took a 33-24 halftime lead and was never headed. Sean Pearson had 24 and Mack Brown 23 for the winners. Mike Schnyders had 18 for the losers (3-4, 1-3).
St. Patrick 60, Fenwick 44-Brian Kopf got 22 to lead visiting St. Patrick (6-1); Adam Kotowski scored 11 for Fenwick (5-2).
Oak Park 68, Leyden 62-Louis Jordan and Joe Mellman each scored 22 points as Oak Park (6-1) rushed to a 33-22 halftime lead and cruised in the West Suburban crossover. John Hamman and Jason Stella (six three-pointers) had 23 apiece for Leyden (4-2).
Conant 83, Niles West 79-Brett Sharkey had 22 and Vaurice Patterson 20 to lead Conant (5-1). Brian Moreth had 19 and Mike Weiss 16 for Niles (3-4). George Credle added 18 points for Conant, including 10 in the final period as Conant outscored Niles 24-20 to win it.
Streamwood 75, Willowbrook 60-The strong inside work of Nate Glenn (32 points) and the outside work of Simeon Henderson (26 points) powered Streamwood (6-1). Tom King and Aaron Williams had 10 points each for Willowbrook (3-2).