Bogan’s Antione Bloxton turned the title recreation of the Proviso West Holiday Tournament into his private playground Sunday.
The senior guard scored 33 factors and had seven steals within the Bengals’ 71-52 rout of Morton.
Bloxton is well-known all through the town, however he spent his first two years of highschool in obscurity at Julian and was ineligible to play for many of final season. He additionally didn’t play on a shoe-company summer time circuit, so his skill can take some unexpectedly.
‘‘What the [heck]?’’ Morton coach Tony Martinucci stated. ‘‘I knew he could shoot, but he shot it off the dribble pretty good, too. I didn’t notice he may shoot like that. He can play.’’
‘‘I’ve been getting that lots,’’ Bloxton stated. ‘‘I’ve been good, however now I can present my expertise. This isn’t new in any respect. Winning this title means every little thing, particularly since I couldn’t play final season.’’
Darrion Jones added 14 factors and Ideary Mooney 11 factors and 6 rebounds for Bogan (14-1), who received the event for the second consecutive season.
‘‘I was just being aggressive,’’ Mooney stated. ‘‘[Coach Arthur Goodwin] tells me to use my body like a weapon, so that’s what I did.’’
Guard Jesus Perez, the Mustangs’ greatest participant, completed with 4 factors and 7 turnovers. Martinucci stated he injured his ankle early within the first quarter.
‘‘That’s why we needed to hold taking him out,’’ Martinucci stated. ‘‘I hated to keep putting him in, but he kept asking. Even hurt, he threw about four nice dimes. Once he was hurt, we weren’t the identical explosive-type crew.’’
Mannuel Rodriguez led Morton (8-4) with 25 factors. He was 7-for-13 from three-point vary.
The Mustangs led 20-13 after one quarter, however the Bengals compelled turnovers on 5 consecutive possessions to open the second quarter and managed the sport from then on.
Grid View
Goodwin has turned Bogan into a significant component within the state, however the Bengals don’t benefit from the nationwide status of a few of the Public League powerhouses.
‘‘We are just trying to get our brand out there, like Simeon and Morgan Park and Young,’’ Goodwin stated. ‘‘When they talk about basketball in Chicago, we want them to talk about Bogan.’’
That craving for nationwide respect is a cause Bogan may not return to Proviso West subsequent season. The event, which was once the jewel of the vacation season, has diminished considerably within the final a number of years.
Several years in the past, the event was swimming in shoe-company sponsorship cash. There had been lounges by which the gamers may calm down and play video video games between video games. The media/hospitality room featured a chocolate fountain. The greatest groups within the space yearned to be invited.
Now there is no such thing as a participant lounge and no media room. The Jesse White Tumblers carried out at halftime of the title recreation, and a magician entertained the group throughout halftime of the third-place recreation.
‘‘It’s not the identical,’’ Goodwin stated. ‘‘If they get some more teams, we might be back. But we have the opportunity to go other places, too. We will still be loaded next year.’’