This week's most notable Illinois basketball games
Ridgeview (1-0) vs. Flanagan (4-1) — Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.
The Ridgeview Mustangs will have their hands full against a surging Flanagan squad in Tuesday’s early season revenge opportunity for the Falcons. Flanagan has won three straight games after suffering its first loss to the Mustangs by the score of 62-54. Falcons senior forward Keegan Bertsche is one of the hottest players in the state in the early going. He averages 25.2 points per contest and is connecting on 65 percent of his field goals. The senior captain scored a season-low 16 points against Ridgeview in the first matchup.
Urbana (1-3) vs. Champaign Central (2-2) — Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Urbana received its first win of the season as it defeated St. Thomas More this weekend, 78-63. Senior Cecil Ausley poured in 22 points as his team clawed its way back to relevancy after a winless start to the year. Central is playing well as of late and won both of its games in the Lanphier Tournament.
Evanston (3-0) vs. Waukeegan (1-1) — Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
The Evanston Wildcats have jumped out to an excellent start under coach Vashaun Russell. Evanston is undefeated on the year and has won its last two games by at least 20 points after a mere 5-point win over Mt. Carmel to begin the year.
So far, it appears the Wildcats will field a team that will challenge the powerhouse programs in its class.
St. Joseph (0-0) v. Loyola Academy (4-2) — Wednesday, 7 p.m.
The Chargers of St. Joseph will open their first week of basketball in the second week of December. With a number of its athletes playing football as well, it well be interesting to see how the team adjusts early on.
Chicago Vocational (6-0) v. Bogan (3-0) — Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
The Cavaliers are undefeated on the season and Vocational will look to increase its win total against a tough Bogan team. Though both squads are considered to be among the best in the state, Vocational’s balance may be the deciding factor in the game. On Tuesday, Vocational beat Chicago Tech 86-41 with Jordan Bell, Jerald Allen and Kewan Smith each scoring 16 points.
North Lawndale (1-0) vs. Westinghouse (2-2) – Friday, 4:30 p.m.
Two of Chicago’s finest West Side basketball programs square off when North Lawndale battles Westinghouse. The Warriors of Westinghouse handed powerful Uplift its first defeat of the season in blowout fashion Saturday, 79-45. The Phoenix, however, haven’t played a game since Thanksgiving.
Carbondale (5-1) vs. Centralia (3-0) – Friday, 7:30 p.m.
In a battle of Illinois’ southern teams, the Carbondale Terriers look to continue their torrid start against the undefeated Centralia Orphans. The Orphans can put the ball in the cylinder, scoring less than 60 points in just one of their victories. The Terriers have looked great in all of their games except in their lone loss to powerhouse Althoff-Catholic.
