Fab 5: OPRF vs Curie
Final: OPRF 46- Curie 43 (OT)
In the 4A Maywood Sectional Semifinal. The defending State Champions Curie faced off against Oak-Park River Forest. A sluggish defensive battle early on Curie took the lead 21-14 into halftime. Things would get going in the second half when both team found a rhythm offensively. Allante Pickens found his shot and nailed some key three pointer for Curie. While OPRF’s Isaiah Fuller and Cam Gross made some key baskets down the stretch to mount a comeback. Here are the Fab Five: OPRF vs Curie game performances.
MVP:
SF Cam Gross – OPRF (2017)
Cam Gross had a rough start offensively for OPRF but the senior forward had a fantastic second half. Gross left it all on the floor and you could tell her was the leader for OPRF. Gross finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds. He led the charge for a comeback as he grabbed several key rebounds and in the final seconds of regulation would grab a steal and basket and the and 1 after a foul. This gave OPRF the tie game and sent the game into overtime. Gross would come up clutch again when he grabbed an offensive rebound and scored with 8 seconds left to give OPRF a 44-41 lead. Gross also was in on 50/50 loose balls often diving on the court to help his team to a victory.
Best Defensive Performance:
F-Terry Smith Jr. – Curie (2017)
Smith was a force in the paint grabbing 10 rebounds for Curie and 2 block shots. He is an athletic Forward who is a leaper that can go up and make plays. Smith also had some key baskets for Curie in the second half to finish with 7 points. His Teammate Treavon Martin also helped in the pain with 3 block shots. These two were key in limiting OPRF to just 14 1st half points.
Best Shooter:
G-Allante Pickens- Curie (2017)
The senior guard nailed 4-three pointers for Curie, and was their leading scorer with 14 points. Pickens hit two big threes’ in a row to stop OPRF’s 3rd quarter run. Has good form and range from deep where he can extend out beyond the three-point range and still hit shots.
Best Under the Radar Performance:
F- Malachi Ross- OPRF (2018)
The 6’4’ Junior has the task of banging down low with the Martin brothers and Terry Smith of Curie. He was up to the challenge and He guarded multiple positions from guarding the Martin brothers to Tulsa commit Elijah Joiner. He finished with 5 points 8 rebounds for OPRF. Ross versatility was vital as OPRF because they did not have to adjust their line up to what Curie put on the floor.
Best Rebounder:
F- Jared Scott -OPRF (2017)
The senior was all over the glass for OPRF he totaled 10 rebounds and none where bigger than the ones he would grab in Overtime. Scott was relentless in his efforts to crash the boards, and get loose balls for OPRF. Scott also has 8 points and 2 blocks.