gossip slots&quick hits slots

Charles Matthews Ballislife Mix | 2015's Most Versatile?

Scott Comeau — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:02:53 +0000

6'5 Sophomore Guard Charles Matthews is not only Chicago's top player in the Class of 2015, but one of the nation's top players according to ESPN, Scout.com and others. He helped to lead Chicago St. Rita to back to back Catholic League titles along with teammates Vic Law (2014) and leading scorer-older brother Dominique Matthews (2014).
Matthews is often praised for his tremendous feel for the game and his ability to get to the basket. This season his mid-range game has improved and many who've seen him play feel the sky is the limit for Charles Matthews.
Often compared with Penny Hardaway because of his size and his versatility, Matthews already has offers from Illinois, Arizona, DePaul, Providence and SMU. This AAU season, Charles will play with Chicago's Meanstreets who produced NBA players like Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis.
For more Charles Matthews and Chicago high school basketball highlights, watch www.ebooksnet.com/midwest. And please subscribe to youtube.com/ballislifemidwest.

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Jahlil Okafor vs Cliff Alexander in Chicago State Tourney | Ballislife Mix

Scott Comeau — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 05:11:39 +0000

This Illinois State Sectional matchup of five-star bigs lived up to the hype. And so did Whitney Young HS vs Curie HS.

In perhaps the biggest game in Chicago Curie High School history, they faced the nation's top player in the Class of 2014, 6'11 Jahlil Okafor and his loaded #1 Whitney Young HS team with their seasons on the line. But 6'9 Cliff Alexander and his Curie Condor teammates were ready for battle.

Jahlil Okafor and Cliff Alexander took turns thrilling the crowd at Argo HS (Summit, IL), but it was Okafor who won as #1 Whitney Young (27-3) came-from-behind 62-58 vs #9 Curie (19-8) in the Class 4A sectional semifinal.

Okafor finished with 13 points, three blocks and three rebounds.

Alexander scored 14, three blocks, and grabbed eight rebounds.

While the bigs battled, elite (top 60) juniors L.J. Peak (23 points) and Paul White (11 points) helped supply the offensive support Young needed.

Thanks to the coaches and players at Whitney Young and Curie High Schools. Thanks to everyone at Argo HS.
For more of the best coverage of Chicago, Illinois and Midwest HS basketball, watch www.ebooksnet.com/midwest and our new youtube channel: ballislifemidwest!

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Jabari Parker Ballislife February Mixtape | 4th State Championship Quest

Scott Comeau — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 02:11:00 +0000

Enjoy these February highlights from Jabari Parker's senior high school season at Chicago's Simeon Career Academy where he attempts to lead his squad to its (his) 4th Illinois 4A title in the last 4 seasons.
Jabari fractured his foot last summer and returned to the court for the first time as his senior season started. Now he's displaying the high-level skills and athleticism that made him one of the nation's top high school players. Parker has committed to play college basketball for Coach K at Duke University as a Blue Devil.
For more Jabari Parker and Simeon highlights, watch www.ebooksnet.com and please subscribe to the NEW Ballislifemidwest youtube page!

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Hyron Edwards Ballislife Season Mix | Sophomore with All-Around Skills

Scott Comeau — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:01:50 +0000

East Chicago’s 6’1 Hyron Edwards (Central HS) is one of the top high school underclassmen in the state of Indiana. He’s also one of the top point guards nationally in the Class of 2015 . It was a challenging season for Edwards’ East Chicago Cardinals who finished the season 10-11, including many narrow defeats.
You’ll notice Edwards shoots, passes, defends, and handles the ball at a high level.
Just a sophomore, Edwards holds offers from Indiana, Purdue and Illinois. Look for that list to grow.
Thanks to everyone at East Chicago Central HS.
For more of the best Indiana HS basketball coverage, watch www.ebooksnet.com!

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Jahlil Okafor Leads Comeback in Chicago City Title | Ballislife Recap

Scott Comeau — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:09:27 +0000

Arguably the nation's top player in the Class of 2014, Jahlil Okafor scored 19 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked seven shots as #4 Young defeated #2 Morgan Park 60-56 in overtime in the Public League title game at Chicago State. The win gives Young its first city title since 1998.
Morgan Park's Division-1 bound senior guards Billy Garrett (Depaul) and Kyle Davis (Dayton) as well as rising-star 6'7 junior Josh Cunningham have wreaked havoc on their competition all season. If they were able to penetrate in this game, they weren't unable to score in the bunches they're used to. Davis led Morgan Park (26-3) with 14pts and 6 rebounds. Garrett finished with 12 points. Cunningham had 9 points (including 2 nice dunks), 5 rebounds.
Whitney Young Junior Miles Reynolds’ three-pointer with 53 seconds to play was the biggest shot of the game. It tied the score at 51 (after Young trailed by 7 at the half), and sent the game to overtime (and set off his dad and Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel in the stands). Reynolds finished with 13 points (3-threes).
Young transfer from South Carolina, Junior LJ Peak contributed 15 points, 5 rebounds including some clutch hoops in OT.
In the end, it was all about Chicago's biggest fella, Jahlil Okafor. In the biggest game of his high school career, he came up biggest and he was too much for Morgan Park to overcome on this night.
For more videos of Jahlil Okafor, Whitney Young HS and the best Chicago HS basketball, watch www.ebooksnet.com!

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Jabari Parker Wins Third Pontiac MVP/Title | Ballislife Recap

Scott Comeau — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:40:21 +0000

In winning his 3nd consecutive A.C. Williamson (MVP/sportsmanship) trophy, Senior Jabari Parker lead Simeon to its 3rd consecutive Pontiac Title before record-breaking crowds (2800+ per game) like the previous year.
Parker played well in the tournament, but he's still working his way back to the form he showed last year after missing five months with a fractured foot.
He averaged 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the tournament.
The Pontiac Holiday tournament is highly regarded among Illinois HS basketball fans for the quality of the teams (City vs. Suburban) hospitality of the hosts and volunteers, the diehard, enthusiastic crowds and the old-school Central Illinois gym.
Special thanks to the Parker family, Simeon Career Academy Head Coach Rob Smith & Coach Jeff Duncan, Tournament Director Jim Drengwitz and everyone at Pontiac High School and the Pontiac Holiday Tournament (www.pontiacholidaytournament.com).
For more videos of Jabari Parker and the best Chicago HS basketball, watch www.ebooksnet.com!

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Marcus Lovett Jr DROPs 2 Defenders & 47 points Full Highlights Mix!

Staff — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:50:49 +0000

Check out Sophmore Phenom Marcus Lovett Jr doing what he does best, droping defenders and buckets. FULL HIGHLIGHTS against Campbell Hall.

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Top 5 Player In 2014 Cliff Alexander Absolutely DOMINATES 82nd Pontiac Tournament! Elevates His Game To a New Level!

Scott Comeau — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:51:44 +0000

At the 82nd Pontiac Tournament (Pontiac, IL), Chicago Curie's star junior Cliff Alexander put on a dunk show while averaging 20.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.5 blocks for the third-place Condors. Alexander scored 21 points on 9 of 10 shooting in Curie's 62-57 semifinal loss to Simeon, and was 38 of 48 from the field during the tournament. He was unstoppable!

Special thanks to the Alexander family, Curie HS Coach Mike Oliver & Coach Jerrel Oliver, Tournament Director Jim Drengwitz and everyone at Pontiac High School and the Pontiac Holiday Tournament (www.pontiacholidaytournament.com).

For more videos of Cliff Alexander and the best Chicago HS basketball, watch www.ebooksnet.com!

photo courtesy of Patrick Gleason (Chicago Sun Times/hsbball.com)

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5’10 Elliott Cole Goes OFF for 63 Points in a game!! Nation’s TOP scorer! Pure shooter with Handles! (Official Ballislife Mix)

Scott Comeau — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:42:32 +0000

5’10 senior Eliott Cole has burst onto the Chicago hoops scene with his unreal scoring totals at Powerhouse High. After sitting on the bench at St Joseph for 3 years, he transferred to Powerhouse (a school who’s had a team for only 3 years that most Chicagoans are not familiar with) for his final chance.
Averaging 38.1 PPG (#1 in nation on maxpreps.com), Ballislife headed to Little Village HS to see the electrifying point guard for the second time and he put up a career high 63 points in a 96-58 win!
For those wondering about the strength of Little Village’s program, they have D1 recruits and they recently defeated teams who have defeated Powerhouse this season. This was no mismatch (on paper).

Cole made 8-11 3-pointers, 13-16 free throws and finished with 10 assists. His previous high scoring total was 49 points.
According to the Chicago Sun Times and IHSA.org, it was the first time since 1991 (Chicago Harvard's Walter Simmons, 75 points) that at least 63 points have been recorded.

Earlier this season, wersus nationally-ranked Whitney Young HS, Cole was the sole focus of the Dolphins defense. He got off to a slow start, scoring just two points in the first quarter. That’s all Power House scored in the quarter too.
Then Cole put up seven in the second quarter, nine in the third and six in the fourth to finish with 24 points and four assists.

An academic qualifier, Chicago State has offered and Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Illinois State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Western Michigan and Wyoming have all shown interest but expect the list to grow!

For more Elliott Cole, Powerhouse High and Chicago basketball highlights, watch www.ebooksnet.com all season long!
Thanks to Powerhouse High Head Coach Jermaine Johnson and everyone at Little Village HS.

photo by Mike K. at websportschicago.com

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Unguardable! #1 Junior 6’11 Jahlil Okafor dunks at will in season’s first 4 games for Chicago’s #1 Whitney Young HS

Scott Comeau — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 16:35:56 +0000

Chicago’s 6’11 star junior Jahlil Okafor has simply dominated the competition. He is unguardable. Here’s a recap of Chicago's #1-ranked (for the first time in several years) Whitney Young Magnet High School’s 4-0 start. Young is a Chicago Public school, but they play a national hoops schedule.

Game 1: W 72-48: 34 points, 9 rebounds while holding 6-9 North Carolina State recruit BeeJay Anya to 11 points and five rebounds for nationally-ranked DeMatha (MD). MSU’s Izzo among the 7,000+ in the gym.

Game 2: W 99-38: 31 points, 9 rebounds in less than 2 quarters. Okafor scored at will in this conference blowout.

Game 3: W 98-49: In 15 minutes, shot 13-13 (27 points, 9 rebounds, 6 block) including 15 points in 3rd quarter (and a 3-pointer) in front of Illinois coach John Groce and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski in packed home opener vs #25 previously unbeaten Westinghouse.

Game 4: W 103-46: 10 dunks, 21 points in front of OSU coach Thad Matta and alum Jared Sullinger (Celtics) in another conference blowout.

For more Jahlil Okafor, Whitney Young HS, and Chicago basketball highlights, watch www.ebooksnet.com all season long!
Thanks to Coach Slaughter and everyone at Whitney Young HS, the Chicago Elite Classic, Douglass HS, Power House High and Homan Square.

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6'9 Cliff Alexander Is A BEAST Around The Rim! 2014 Top 10 Player Blocks & Dunks Everything! Official Ballislife Fall League Mix

Scott Comeau — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:27:02 +0000

Chicago High School basketball runs year-round in one form or another. Each October the city and suburbs’ top varsity teams battle in highly competitive Fall Leagues in preparation for the regular season. This fall, there was zero doubt that Cliff Alexander is Chicago’s most explosive player.
Watch 6’9 junior (Curie HS) Cliff Alexander terrorize his opponents. It is safe to say Alexander averaged a double-double.
Considered by many to be a top-10 recruit in the Class of 2014, Alexander’s offers include Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State, Baylor, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, and Wisconsin (among others).
Thanks to Chicago’s top fall leagues: DaBullz/Team Rose Fall League, NBU Fall League, Mac Irvin Fire Back to School Shootout.
Special thanks to the Alexander family, Curie HS Coach Mike Oliver & Coach Jerrel Oliver.
For more videos of Cliff Alexander and the best Chicago HS basketball, watch www.ebooksnet.com!

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Jabari Parker Makes His Season Debut As #1 Simeon Puts On A SHOW In Front of HUGE Crowd at Chicago Elite Classic (Game Recap Mix)

Scott Comeau — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:31:04 +0000

Seen in a walking boot on Wednesday, reigning Illinois Mr. Basketball, 6’8 Simeon Career Academy senior Jabari Parker said all week he wouldn’t rush his return to the court.
On Saturday, before a crowd of 7,128 fans at the inaugural Chicago Elite Classic at UIC Pavilion, Parker made his surprise debut (playing 10 minutes). His broken foot had kept him from playing since July, so he was rusty and not playing in top shape. Wearing custom Nike’s for protection, Parker finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal. After the game, he graded his performance “D+” with a smile.
After the buzz surrounding Parker subsided, senior Illinois-commits PG Jaylon Tate (2 points, 9 assists, 4 steals) and SG Kendrick Nunn (11 points, 6 rebounds) led three-time defending state champion Simeon's 56-35 season-opening victory over Milton (Ga.) as their future college coach John Groce sat courtside.
Simeon’s stifling defense led to countless turnovers and fast breaks all night long.
Best known for their defense, Simeon senior’s #15 Russell Woods (7 points) and Dayton-commit Kendall Pollard (7 points) also threw down monstrous dunks off Tate’s assists.
The starters moved to the bench for much of the second half allowing star sophomore #0 Dennis “DJ” Williams to score 12 points and star freshman #10 Zack Norvell to nail his first 3 for Simeon. The starters returned for a curtain call in the fourth with the final alley oop from Jay Tate to Kendrick Nunn.
For more Simeon, and Chicago basketball highlights, watch www.ebooksnet.com all season long!
Thanks to everyone at Simeon Career Academy, Whitney Young HS, and the Chicago Elite Classic at UIC!

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