NORMAL — Tim Allen prepares to beat all the starters ahead of North Chicago comfortably in the Sacred Heart Griffin in the opening round of the massive men’s State Farm Holiday Classic at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Shark Center on Tuesday was made.
Jake Hamilton appears to be leading SHG Boys basketball career scoring history, just two points behind Dick Scofield.
“One of his teammates said, ‘Coach, he needs three. Keep him in the game,'” Allen said.
Allen scored his 1,327th career point (one more than Schofield when he graduated from Griffin in 1981) with a 3-pointer after Hamilton made it 38 seconds later, giving Cathedral/Griffin/top-seeded Cyclones SHG history as they beat North Chicago 77-28.
SHG (8-0) will face No. 8 Bradley Bourbonnais (8-3) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 4pm in the Normal West.
“Of course it’s the result of all the hard work so far, but also thanks to my teammates, coaches and family,” Hamilton said. “They all[contributed]to my record. I got lucky…so I had a good chance of reaching the record, my teammates said at the end I needed one more bucket and they prepared me for that. I was able to get it because he gave me it.”
Hamilton, who led SHG to its first state basketball championship last season, defeated Morton in the Class 3A state title game. Decided to play basketball at Quincy University, did Hamilton ever debate whether he was a footballer or a basketball player?
“Of course I did, especially until my senior year of high school, where I experienced what I wanted to do in college, what I thought I was good at, what I thought I could do best,” Hamilton said. “I think basketball is what I’m best at.”
Twin brother Will Hamilton, who scored five points on Tuesday, has seen his brother’s basketball skills up close over the years.
“It’s kind of crazy. He got[a record]early in his fourth[season with SHG]and missed a few games during[theCOVID-19-shortened2020-21season],” he added. Will Hamilton added in a reminiscent way. “I’ve probably given him a lot of assists and I can always find him. I know where he is. It’s so good that he scores sometimes.” It’s easy.
SHG was battling for a 27-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, with the Cyclones flipping the Warhawks over 11 times in the first quarter and 27 times overall.
North Chicago co-coach Gerald Coleman, who leads the team with his wife Cheryl Coleman, said he has missed several players due to injuries.
But that doesn’t detract from what he thinks of Hamilton.
“He’s known statewide, he’s very physical, he motivates the team and he plays hard,” Coleman said. “I see the division wrote all over him. I think he could easily play at that level. His energy, he energizes the team…before he gets on the court.” I knew him.”
Will Hamilton said he could say his brother has improved since the state championships in March.
“He’s more fluid,” said Will Hamilton. “It looks like all his shots are in.”
Having led North Chicago to three Class 3A State Tournaments in 18 seasons, Coleman has some knowledge of the team’s success. And he likes what he sees on his SHG.
“The good thing for them is they don’t miss a beat of about nine players,” Coleman said. “You need at least seven or eight solid guys to win a state championship and[Allen]has it. They’re physical, they run the court, they play together. They. has all the recipes to become a state’ champion again. ”
SHG also scored 16 points from Zach Hawkinson.