Fab Five: Joliet West vs Romeoville

Final: Joliet West 72- Romeoville 44 In the class 4A regional final the Joliet West Tigers veteran squad faced off against a young Romeoville Spartan team for the chance to move on to sectional play. From the opening tip Joliet West led by Teyvion Kirk, and Trevian Bell would controlled the game getting majority of their points in the first half from the paint. They physically outmatched the younger Romeoville team, using their size and physical play to their advantage on both ends of the court. Joliet West moves on to face Joliet Central in the Sectional Semifinal March 8^th. Here are the Fab Five: Joliet West vs Romeoville where we look at the top performances MVP: PG Teyvion Kirk-Joliet West (2017) The Senior standout had his way at the rim for Joliet West. Kirk was dynamic out on the break and Romeoville had no answer for him slashing to basket. Kirk finished with a game high 21 points and also grabbed 8 rebs. Kirk was active on defense and used his length out on the perimeter to get steals from the passing lanes, which lead to easy baskets for Joliet West on the offensive end. Offensive Performance:   Guard Trevian Bell-Joliet West (2017) UW-Green Bay commit Bell compliments Kirk well and if these two are both clicking at the same time that will mean good news for Joliet West. Bell has a smooth game and plays under control just letting the game come to him. Bell also had a nice game attacking the rim and getting easy baskets, but also showed the ability to stretch the floor with his jump shot. He flashed some good athleticism drive where he took his defender off the dribble and flew in for a one-handed slam. Bell finished with 16 points. Under-the-Radar performance: F-Dontia Johnson-Romeoville (2018) The 6’7 Junior had a nice game for Romeoville. He is a long lengthy forward that is a leaper. Johnson had 16 points including a dunk through traffic and hit a couple nice jumpers from the mid post area. A high motor guy he defended well and rebounded on both ends of the court. Still a little raw but showed some potential. Will be prospect to track this summer. Best Intangibles: G/F Elijah Ward-Joliet West (2017) Another senior for Joliet West that can contribute in multiple ways for the Tigers. Ward is a guard that attacks the basket well and finishes at a high rate. A glue guy that will defend and can step out and hit from the perimeter. Joliet West will need him to continue to be a scoring option if they hope to contend from a push to Peoria for State.   Ward finished with 8 points   Best non-Senior to Keep an eye on: G-Deandre Heckard- Romeoville (2018) The junior guard had a tough task facing Joliet West tandem of Kirk & Bell but had some real nice drives to the lane and was quick out in the open court. Handles the ball well and has some high level iso moves. Didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from deep but has nice fundamentals on his shot. He is a combo guard that plays well off the ball but can also bring it up. He is a junior to keep an eye on this summer.