When Al Brooks Jr. transferred from Hansberry to Wealthy Township, one faculty of thought was that he may change into a reputable Mr. Basketball candidate within the state.
The Raptors have performed a high-profile schedule this season and a deep run within the postseason would assist his probabilities vastly, though junior guard Jayden Williams thinks he’s already there.
“He’s Mr. Basketball,” Williams mentioned of Brooks. “There isn’t any risk — he’s.
“He brings power, protection, scoring … however principally protection.”
Brooks placed on a Mr. Basketball-worthy efficiency Friday evening, stockpiling 26 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 blocked pictures and 4 steals because the host Raptors rolled to a 56-38 Southland Athletic Convention win over Crete-Monee in Richton Park.
Williams added 9 factors for Wealthy Township (20-7, 10-1). Nyshawn Turner had 5 rebounds.
Uriel Chapman got here up with 13 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench for Crete-Monee (18-11, 6-5), which trailed 21-10 at halftime. Wealthy Township scored the primary eight factors within the third quarter.
Warriors coach Jawan Nelson then pulled his starters and performed the bench the remainder of the best way. Raptors coach Lou Adams, although, was happy with how Brooks continues to make all of the performs.
“He’s a high expertise,” Adams mentioned. “He’s unmatched. And his finest basketball is forward of him.”
The Raptors are assured at the least a share of the convention title, which might be this system’s first since Wealthy East, Wealthy Central and Wealthy South merged for the 2020-21 season.
The Raptors host Bloom on Tuesday for an opportunity to win the convention title outright. Since Jan. 26, Bloom is the one staff to beat the Raptors by advantage of a 58-47 resolution in Chicago Heights.
“This feels good,” Brooks mentioned. “This could be Wealthy Township’s first championship. This yr has been all the things I assumed it could be and a few extra.”
Brooks constantly stuffs the stat sheet, however maybe his finest play in opposition to Crete-Monee got here with 30 seconds left within the first half and went past the numbers.
He saved a ball that was heading out of bounds, along with his momentum sending him six rows up into the bleachers. With out breaking stride or operating into any spectators, he ran a number of ft within the bleachers earlier than becoming a member of his teammates whereas the play was nonetheless happening.
“I used to be attempting to maintain the ball in bounds — that’s it,” Brooks mentioned. “These are the forms of performs that win video games.”
The Raptors, who’re seeded third in a Class 4A sectional they host behind reigning state champion Homewood-Flossmoor and second-seeded Marist, hope their finest remains to be to return.
Enjoying a stacked schedule with a number of nationwide powers sprinkled in for good measure, Wealthy Township sputtered in opening the season with a 3-4 document however then downed Kenwood and H-F to win the Massive Dipper Traditional in the course of the holidays.
Regardless of back-to-back nonconference losses to Benet and Fenwick and a convention loss to Bloom because the Massive Dipper, current wins over Kankakee, Hillcrest and Thornton have put the Raptors again on monitor. And Brooks has been an enormous a part of it.
The 6-foot-7 Brooks mentioned when he began highschool he wasn’t even 6-0 and performed extra of a guard function. He credited his father, Al Sr., for his success.
The older Brooks coached Al Jr. and twin brother Ikee at Hansberry.
“Rising up, we had been all the time within the health club with our pops,” Al Jr. mentioned. “He taught me quite a bit.”
Brooks has presents from Illinois and Jap Michigan however mentioned his future might be outlined as “TBD. To be decided.”
Nonetheless, he’s decided to maintain taking part in the game he loves.
“I really like all the things about basketball,” Brooks mentioned. “It’s my secure place.”
Jeff Vorva is a contract reporter for the Every day Southtown.
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