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2/9/06

Showdown for state champs
BY BILL SKOWRONSKI
STAFF WRITER Lawrence North (Ind.) basketball team has been showcased on ESPN2 three times for good reason. Seven-foot, 255-pound senior center Greg Oden was the first junior since LeBron James to be named Parade Magazine's High School Player of the Year in 2005.
Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena will be sold out for good reason Saturday as Lawrence North takes on Glenbrook North.
Coach Jack Keefer's Wildcats are the two-time defending Indiana High School Athletic Association state champions, 17-0 overall, 6-0 in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference and the No. 1 team in the nation, according to most publications. Oden, who is ticketed for Ohio State next season, is considered by many to be the best high school basketball player in the country and fellow Buckeye-recruit Michael Conley, Oden's teammate, isn't far behind.
Though Lawrence North and Glenbrook North (20-1 overall, 8-0 in Central Suburban League North) have never played each other and neither coach knows a whole lot about the other team, everyone anticipates an exciting night of basketball. The Wildcats have outscored opponents this season by 409 points, posting a 24.1-point average margin of victory. No team has come closer than 13 points.
"We're basically a fast break team," said Keefer. "If there's no break, we find Oden underneath."
The formula seems simple and the results are undeniable. Oden is currently averaging just below 25 points and just above 10 rebounds per game. Though explosive offensively, Oden's larger presence is felt defensively and as the team's leader.
"They're super kids so it's not a huge chore to keep them down to earth," Keefer says. "They work hard on their game, come in at 6 a.m. and work on their moves, then practice at night.
"It'll be a big game for us and I'm sure they're looking forward to it. But they keep themselves under wraps and they don't lose focus."
Although the Wildcats boast a great traveling fan base and phenomenal game atmosphere from their student section, Welsh-Ryan Arena figures to be mostly Glenbrook North fans who are anxious to see if the Spartans can unseat the nation's reigning top team.
If anyone thinks the defending Illinois Class AA state champions will back down from the challenge, they'd better think again.
"Maybe other teams might be intimidated, but we're not going to be," said Spartans coach Dave Weber. "We want to represent the state of Illinois, so there is a little bit of a pride factor. They're going to have to play a good game to beat us."
Glenbrook North is not used to being the underdog after bringing another dominant CSL North championship season to a close this month. The team is led by Duke-recruit and area standout Jonathan Scheyer who is supported by a cast including Zach Kelly, Matt Shamis, Tyler Cullitan and Jon Radke. For once, it will be the Spartans who are preparing for the marquee name instead of their opponent.
The Spartans, who also host Maine East Friday, recently picked up their second consecutive CSL North title with a 83-42 win Friday night at Niles North. Scheyer led all scorers with 31 points, while adding six rebounds, six steals, four assists and two blocks.
The City-Suburban Showdown at Welsh-Ryan Arena begins at 6:15 p.m. Saturday with Proviso East facing Warren. The Glenbrook North-Lawrence North game will begin at approximately 8 p.m.
Bill Skowronski can be reached at bskowronski@pioneerlocal.com.