I had the rather sobering realization that this year will mark a quarter century of my attendance at the Proviso West Holiday Tournament. What this means, among other things, is that I no longer have a Carol Alt poster above my bed, the 6′2″, 135 lbs. I quoted for my first Illinois Driver’s License are distant bygones, and I’ve been party to some fantastic high school basketball over the years. For the Illinois high school basketball fan the tournament is nothing short of hallowed ground. On the occasion of my twenty-fifth visit, here are some recollections of the players, coaches, and epic tilts that have been burned into my basketball memory.
The 1980 Tournament Final
Gene Pingatore’s St. Joseph’s Chargers beat Ron Nikcevich’s Lyons Township squad in a 3 OT roof raiser. St. Joe’s was led by Daryl Thomas (Indiana, Sacramento Kings) while the Lyons’ team had Jeff Hornacek (Iowa State, Utah Jazz) at point and Elmer Robinson (Iowa State) underneath. This was my first Proviso West tournament and watching this contest with a crowd of nearly 4000 cheering every basket, I was hooked for life.
The King Jaguars and head coach Landon “Sonny” Cox
Coach Cox benefitted from a Chicago Public League climate that was ostensibly lawless. His teams until the early 1990’s were All-Star teams by virtue of his outright recruitment of the city’s best players. Efrem Winters (Illinois), Marcus Liberty (Illinois, Denver Nuggets/Detroit Pistons), Levertis “Levertical” Robinson (Cincinnati), Jamie Brandon (LSU), Rashard Griffith (Wisconsin), Thomas Hamilton, Michael Hermon (Indiana) and Leon Smith (Atlanta Hawks/Seattle Supersonics) all played for the Pimp of the Public League. It was this kind of stratospheric talent that enabled Cox to steal three state titles (1986, 1990, 1993) despite having a coaching IQ in the single digits. Cox’s coaching philosophy consisted of dressing in double-breasted, wide lapeled suits, spending most of the game muttering on the bench, and occasionally rising to yell “Red!” “Red!” was the only play I ever heard Cox call out to his charges. “Red!” involved one of his players jacking a low percentage perimeter shot or driving and forcing a shot in heavy traffic. The fact that Cox has a trio of state titles is a crime. Fortunately, when the Public League began to enforce even a modicum of rules, Cox’s fortunes plummeted and he disappeared. Despite it all I miss watching him on the sidelines. He and his teams were entertaining spectacles. I will never forget the sight of his 1993 squad that started 7′0 Griffith and 7′2″ Hamilton.
Townsend Orr, Thornridge
Orr (Minnesota, Harlem Globetrotters) took Proviso West hostage as a junior and senior in 1988 and 1989, leading the Falcons to two straight tournament titles. At 6′1″ he was a potent scorer both inside and out. He was one of four players to make the PW All-Tourny team three times. Longtime coach Mike Flaherty was another of the great coaches to grace the sidelines at Proviso West, always fielding well drilled, talented teams.
Proviso East, The Three Amigos, and coach Bill Hitt
The Three Amigos, who played together from 1988-1991, were Sherrell Ford (UIC, Seattle Supersonics, Harlem Globetrotters), Donny Boyce (Colorado, Atlanta Hawks) and Michael Finley (Wisconsin, Dallas Mavericks/San Antonio Spurs). State champions in 1991. Demonstrating why he was another of the tourny’s great coaches, Bill Hitt took his 1992 team to another state title despite losing all three to graduation. The Three Amigos team with its combination of talent and coaching was the best high school team I’ve ever seen and was one of the finest in IHSA history. Finley was a late bloomer and was the third option on the team. Boyce was a smooth 6′5″ scorer, Ford a deadly operator on the post.
The Westinghouse Warriors
Beginning with the 1992 tournament which the Warriors won in record breaking fashion, Westinghouse cut a wide swath into the late ’90’s. The 1992-93 team featured Kiwane Garris (Illinois, Denver Nuggets/Orlando Magic). They also won the 1998 and 1999 tournaments behind Cedric Banks (UIC), brothers David Bailey (Loyola, Chicago) and Martell Bailey (UIC), and head coach Chris Head. The Head teams played a frenetic brand of full-court pressing basketball that depended on ten man constant rotations. Head had the athletes to execute this style to marvelous effect.
The Garnett/Fields Show
The 1994 transfer of Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves) from a South Carolina high school to the Farragut Admirals of the Public League was a gift from the basketball deities. Garnett and Ronnie Fields (CBA) were an electrifying duo that produced highlights on nearly every play. Garnett was the most gifted high school player I’ve ever seen. He played every position on the floor including point guard, ran the floor like Edwin Moses, had freakish passing skills, and had a feathery soft jumpshot of unlimited range. Equal to his skill level was his infectious exuberance on the floor and his interest in making his teammates better. He was a consummate team player. Fields may have been the better athlete. Only 6′2″ and change, he played like a 6′8″ power forward. His 48 inch vertical was no exaggeration. His no-step dunks and rebounds over players half a foot taller were commonplace. His wunderkind leaping ability postponed his development of polished guard skills and a jump shot and he was a disinterested student. Add a rape charge to the mix and colleges and the NBA never came calling. He is seeking redemption in the CBA where he has continued to be a potent scorer. A freshman on the 1994 team, Michael Wright (Arizona) became the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in PW history by the end of his string. Wright was a strapping manchild who was impossible to stop on the low block.
The Shooters
Guess what? The jumpshot remains a deadly weapon in basketball. Given its teachability I wonder why it sometimes seems like a neglected art. Maybe it requires too much dull repetition and gym time to perfect. The dunk gets more ballyhoo from live crowds. But the PW careers of Ryan Hogan (Kentucky), Matt Lottich (Stanford), and Jon Scheyer (Duke) are reminders of its efficacy. All three of these practitioners took their talent poor teams great distances with lights out shooting. Hogan was the most one dimensional of the bunch, but he put together some huge games, especially the 1996 tournament when he scored 136 points in four games. Lottich was a fierce competitor who took his New Trier team to the Elite Eight in 2001. Lottich was also a star quarterback, ace pitcher, and 3.79 student. Scheyer’s 21 points in 75 minutes at last year’s tournament was a ridiculous display of shooting and will to compete. More impressive was his leading his Glenbrook North team to the state title the same year. He took a thin collection of role players on his back to get it done.
Other PW Notables, Thoughts
Proviso West’s Michael Ingram (Missouri, Iowa). Knee injuries blew up his college career but he was a dominant force in high school. One of the best defenders in PW history.
Chicago Vocational’s Juwan Howard (Michigan, various NBA) had the most mature, polished game I’ve seen from a high schooler. Smooth post moves as both a back-to-the basket and face up player. Silken, rangy jump shot. Good passer. Hit his free throws. He turned in double doubles without breaking a sweat. His effortless game may have also been a curse. Poker faced on the court, maybe for lack of heart, love of the game. NBA journeyman career may be proof of the pudding.
Fenwick’s Corey Maggette (Duke, Los Angeles Clippers). Falls into the too smooth for his own good category. Wasted a lot of talent. Able to score 20 points without trying. Another example of Coach K’s greedy recruitment of McDonald’s All-Americans, regardless of their internal makeup and approach to the game.
Proviso East’s Browns. Dee Brown (Illinois, Utah Jazz) played every second at PW like it was his last. Pure love of the game. Shannon Brown (Michigan State, Cleveland Cavaliers) was the kind of player who would coast through three quarters then score 25 points in the last frame. Unstoppable when he put his mind to it. Tom Izzo maximized his potential. Both obviously made great decisions about where to play college ball.
Hillcrest’s Shelby Jordan. Could be my favorite PW player. 6′1″ kid with a smart, crafty game and the heart of a lion. Found a way to score, rebound, make plays at every turn. Lack of a jump shot and poor academics sent him to JUCO land and I never heard from him again. But he was everything a high school coach and fan could wish for. Under the radar gem.
Just a few reasons for my twenty-five years of loyalty to Proviso West. The tournament is a gift that keeps on giving. I’m sure this year’s tournament won’t disappoint. It hasn’t yet.
