South Beats North in Chicago H.S. Classic

The crowd at the 2nd annual Chicago High School Classic All-Star game at Niles North High School on Friday night was treated to a display of the best talent the state of Illinois has to offer. The South All-Stars defeated the North All-Stars 129-119 in this supercharged game.

Decatur Eisenhower forward Jeremy Robinson, who is headed to Illinois State in the fall, led the South with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Richards forward Tommie Thomas also scored 18 for the South.

Robinson was named the Most Valuable Player for the South squad. Oak Park-River Forest guard Danny Barnes, who committed to Eastern Michigan, was named the North MVP after he scored 18 points and corralled 6 rebounds.

The game featured 21 student-athletes who have already signed a letter of intent at Division I NCAA schools. With the frenetic pace, seven players for the South team reached double-figures. Homewood-Flossmoor’s Supo Sanni contributed with 16 points. Champaign Central point guard Verdell Jones scored 15 points. Hales Franciscan wing Matt Humphrey contributed with 14, while Decatur Eisenhower point guard Lewis Jackson scored 13. Geneseo forward Tyler Storm recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The South was also led by the unselfish play of Whitney Young point guard A.J. Rompza. Rompza was held scoreless yet led his team with nine assists.

The North team featured six players in double-figures. Uncommitted senior Ryan Hare from Chicago Marshall scored 14 points. Driscoll’s Jake Lindfors contributed with 11. While Dion Dixon, Jeremy Montgomery, and Jacobs guard John Moran chipped in with 10 apiece.

The South team was coached by Decatur Eisenhower coach Jeremy Moore, while Chicago Simeon coach Robert Smith led the North.

Earlier in the evening the Three-point Shootout was won by Riverside-Brookfield’s Chris Parrish.

Niles North forward Josh Evans was the winner of the Champps Americana Slam Dunk competition.

The game’s Academic Excellence Award went to Fenton guard Gozie Umeadi. Umeadi is an unsigned senior who is receiving interest from Loyola and SIU-Edwardsville.

The game will be broadcast on Comcast Local in Chicago at a later date.

A tip of the hat goes out to game organizers Kevin Devitt and Shaun Napatal who put on a terrific event for the second straight year.