When Sides Collide: Parham’s Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*** Written by Steve Parham</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have reached the point that the <strong>When Sides Collide</strong> event is now one of the premier event in the Chicagoland area. Joe Henricksen does a great job at pairing the best teams in the state for this annual event. And this year's event may be the best one yet. In the article I picked the two best players from each game. This was very tough as each game was exciting and full of players having big performances. Here were the top players of the night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Brother Rice (64) - Rolling Meadows (59)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939055' first='Cameron' last='Christie'] - Rolling Meadows&nbsp;(Minnesota Commit)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christie had his best performances I saw in person. The 6'7” guard had it going hitting many tough contested shots in the game. He is so smooth coming off tight screens and he gets his feet set quickly. Cam finished with 29 points and 5 boards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1048307' first='Ahmad' last='Henderson']- Brother Rice&nbsp;(Niagara Commit)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson was again his spectacular self. Started the game being a facilitator getting his teammates happy and then he turned it on. Scoring in and outside the lane. Making open threes at a high clip. Ahmad games is a floor general that understands the flow of each game is different. He takes what's in front of him and makes the others around him better before looking to attack for himself. This matchup against Rolling Meadows was another game where fans in attendance felt that Niagara is getting a steal in this PG at the next level. Ahmad led Brother Rice with 20 points while dishing out 8 assists.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Joliet West (61) - Whitney Young (59)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1562176' first='Jeremy' last='Fears'] - Joliet West (Michigan State commit)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeremy came out the gates blazing for West as the first shot of the game was a big three and then a strong tomahawk dunk right after, That set the tone for himself and his teammates. Fears kept the pressure on Youngs guards as he scored 17 points in the first half. In the second Fears went scoreless in the third but picked it up again come the fourth quarter as he made big shots down the stretch as well as strong defensive plays that stifled Young's players. Jeremy finished with 28 points in a much-needed showcase win for Joliet West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] - Whitney Young&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a breakout performance from the super sophomore. Munoz proved he's more than a fastbreak highlight. Showing his willingness to rebound in tight areas and score well off put backs. He also hit several jump shot from the baseline showcasing his shot making ability. He played with tons of energy and was very disruptive on defense. He got his hands on three steals that all led to buckets for Young. Munoz finished with 15 points and a handful of rebounds in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Simeon (67) - Moline (66)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939059' first='Jalen' last='Griffith']- Simeon&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Griffith had a tough task of guarding [player_tooltip player_id='989274' first='Brock' last='Harding'] and still running his team, but somehow, he did it. Jalen is true floor general that got his teammates going early finding them for easy buckets in the beginning but as the game opened up Griffith also found scoring opportunities. His change of pace and shiftiness to score in the lane off floaters and pull up jumpers made a world of difference for Simeon. It seems like anytime Moline made a run Jalen was around to stop it. Griffith's battle with Harding was just part of this games story, but the ability to lead his team to victory with his best big men on the bench was a testament how much a leader he is and how mentally tough this kid is. He finished with 16 points and 6 assists in the win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='989265' first='Owen' last='Freeman']- Moline&nbsp;(Iowa commit)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Definitely proved he was the best post player in the state's 2023 class. Freeman is almost close to a sure thing when he catches it with his back to the basket. Owen scored well against both Rubin brothers getting them in foul trouble early. He scored with right and left hooks in the lane. He has phenomenal footwork and reliable hands. He finished with 25 points and 9 boards in the tough loss.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Benet (67) - Kenwood (53)</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371085' first='Brady' last='Kunka'] - Benet&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a showing from Kunka. This Benet senior was hot all game. Hitting five threes in the highly anticipated matchup. Brady moved well against the Kenwood zone finding spots to get clean looks at the rim. Against the man to man defense he set back screens and slipped to the rim for open layups. Kunka was terrific in the upset win as he finished with 26 points.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr']. - Kenwood&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Robbins made the best of his showing on Saturday night. The 2024 power forward came off the bench to give Kenwood a spark and that he did. Scoring from all three levels starting with a dunk. He always seemed to find himself around the ball on missed shots or 50/50 balls. Calvin is known for how bouncy he is, but against Benet he showed that he can go get a bucket when his named is called. Robbins finished with 15 points and 7 boards.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->