Boys Basketball: North Chicago rolls past Round Lake
North Chicago varsity basketball player, Marzhon Bryant (32), shoots the ball during a game at Round Lake High School, on Tuesday, January 10, 2012. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 10, 2012 9:39PM
Senior guard Aaron Simpson scored 31 of his 36 points in the first half and visiting North Chicago introduced a freshman into the lineup for the first time this season in Tuesday’s 93-59 North Suburban Conference Prairie Division win over Round Lake.
The Warhawks (11-2, 6-0) next play Saturday (vs. Brooks) and Monday (vs. Curie) in the MLK Shootout at Young High School.
Tuesday’s game was 29-3 after one quarter.
Simpson did not play in the fourth quarter of a game that marked the debut of high-octane freshman guard Jamero Shelton (eight points).
“I thought he played great defense tonight,” said North Chicago coach Gerald “King” Coleman. “We know he can score. We’re looking for a defensive stopper who can contribute on the offensive end.
“He was with us all summer, so it’s not that we did not know him. It was time to bring him up.”
Shelton got playing time as sophomore starter JaVairius Amos-Mays did not play/coaches decision.
While Mays is academically eligible to play by IHSA standards and also by North Chicago High School standards, he currently is not meeting the standards for academic excellence set by his coach.
The coach maintains that a big part of his job is giving his players an opportunity to succeed at the collegiate level, and that academic success in high school is a huge part of making that happen.
Coleman added that if Mays does due diligence in after-school study halls and in the classroom this week, he could play in the two weekend games in the city.
That will be important as the MLK Shootout is a showcase event that college coaches frequent.
Kevonte Curry added 17 points for the Warhawks and Kelly Brown added 12.
Round Lake (5-10, 1-4) got 25 points from senior guard Juddon Carter.
“It’s time for us to get it together,” said Coleman. “We have to start by winning our division and conference games.
“We can’t be thinking about who we’re playing. We don’t see the ‘Round Lake’ on the front of the jersey. We have to see ‘Brooks’ or ‘Curie’ and play like we’re plaing those teams.”
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