Pontiac Holiday Tourney Next Stop for Huskies

The 10-day holiday break for Oak Park-River Forest High School and head coach Matt Maloney comes to an end Tuesday, when the Huskies head to downstate Pontiac for  80th annual Pontiac Holiday Tournament.

It goes without saying that the tournament — one of the longest-running holiday tourneys in Illinois — features some of the state's elite teams.

Chicago Simeon, ranked 10th in the nation in a USA Today preseason poll, is the area's No. 1 ranked team.  Not surprisingly, they're seeded No. 1 at Pontiac.

OPRF (6-2), which has been competing in the tourney for over 30 years, faces another longtime Pontiac participant, West Aurora, in its first-round game at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The 5-2 Blackhawks, a member of the DuPage Valley Conference, lost two of their first three 2010-11 contests to Class 3A power Rock Island and to East Moline at the Rock Island Thanksgiving tournament.

However, they've since won four straight.

And one of those victories was career win No. 700 for head coach Gordie Kerkman. The Blackhawks are led by junior forward Juwan Starks and 6-7 Kyle Pilmer, who had three double-doubles at the Rock Island tourney.

"I think West Aurora and Oak Park are the two longest-running tenures down there," Maloney said, "so we always look forward to it."

If the Huskies get past West Aurora, they'll likely face undefeated Simeon (5-0), which plays Schaumburg in its first-round game.

Jabari Parker (6-6), one of the state's top sophomores, already has an offer on the table from Duke University. He heads a talented group that boasts another sophomore sharp-shooter, Kendrick Young, as well as senior guard Terrell Green.

No. 2 seed Warren, with 6-7 junior Nathan Boothe, also is one of the Chicago area's top teams. The Blue Devils and Peoria Manual, the No. 3 seed, each bring 7-1 records into the tournament. Manual, the state Class 2A runner-up in 2009-10, has already defeated Chicago Marshall—last year's third-place team in Class 3A—at the Canton Thanksgiving tourney.

Chicago Curie (11-0) and Greg Travis, a Chicago State recruit, is the No. 4 seed.

"It's the best (holiday tournament) in the state," Maloney said. "It'll be a great experience for our guys, and we need to play that type of competition to get ready for the playoffs."

Maloney liked what he saw from his Huskies during their 64-52 over West Suburban Silver opponent Hinsdale Central Dec. 17. He's hoping that the quickness and athleticism OPRF exhibited against the Red Devils will once again be on display at Pontiac.

Guards Josh Lang (senior) and Jakari Cammon (sophomore) can give opponents fits defensively. Lang, junior Ka'Darryl Bell, and seniors Steve Ramsey and Brian Miller, have been the Huskies' most consistent scorers, while 6-6 junior Gabe Levin provides OPRF with inside scoring and rebounding.

Steven Waddell, a 6-3 sophomore, also has given the Huskies energy off the bench.

"It's great to get the kids out, and Pontiac does a tremendous job," Maloney said. "They roll out the red carpet for you, so it'll be great for our guys."