Prediction
OPRF 59
Fenwick 55
The OPRF-Fenwick boys basketball rivalry was palpable even before the season began. But it’s likely the blood started churning back in mid-October when OPRF forward Iman Shumpert mentioned the impending clash during “Chicago Tribune Live,” a television show broadcast nationally on Comcast SportsNet. After the 6-foot-4-inch senior had announced his decision to attend and play for Georgia Tech in the fall, he traded friendly barbs with Tribune sports columnist Rick Morrissey, a Fenwick alum. “Dec. 20th, Dec. 20th,” Shumpert repeated in reference to the date the two teams would go head-to-head in a regular season match-up.
Well, that date is here, tomorrow that is. OPRF will host Fenwick tomorrow night (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.) in what is expected to be another adrenaline-fueled showdown.
The 7-4 Huskies go in as the favorites for a few reasons: They’ve been in and out of the top 20 rankings this season, they boast two Division I signees in Shumpert and Daniel Barnes (Eastern Michigan), and last season they smothered Fenwick on the Friars’ home court 58-44 in front of a capacity crowd of over 1,000 spectators.
The Friars (4-2) don’t possess a marquee player as talented as Shumpert. Still, players like Derek Tartt (12 points per game), John Comfort (13 ppg.), Larry Walker (6-3, guard), Matt Condron (6-4, center/forward), Michael Black (10 ppg.) and 6-4 junior Xavier Humphrey (14 ppg.), a three-year varsity starter and Division I prospect, pose a threat to the vulnerable Huskies. Glenbard West and Lyons Township stymied OPRF by containing Shumpert, a tactic the Friars are sure to mimic. Shumpert sparked late in the loss to LT, scoring 17 of his 25 points in the second half.
“Tartt and Shumpert are good friends, so I’m sure it will be a pretty good match-up between them,” said Fenwick head coach John Quinn. “This game will be great for the community and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Some things that can either be looked at as an advantage or disadvantage for either team include the fact that Fenwick will have had five days off from competition since downing De La Salle-a team ranked in the top 20 in the state-71-65 in overtime on Friday (see page 83). Thursday’s game will be OPRF’s fourth in seven days. Both teams possess veteran coaches in Quinn and Al Allen. The duo’s combined career victories spill well past 600. Both have been coaching varsity basketball in Oak Park for over 20 years, with this being Allen’s last.
With the vast expanse of OPRF’s fieldhouse, attendance for this game is expected to reach 2,000-plus, according to OPRF Athletic Director John Stelzer.
“I predict we’ll have a good size crowd, one that will probably reach the number that showed up for our ‘Pack the Place Night’ a few weeks ago,” he said.
Stelzer added that the game will also be televised as Comcast’s High School Game of the Week and aired over the weekend on channel 26.
Prediction: Fenwick’s rolling right now, but its weakness seems to be free-throw shooting-the Friars made 22-of-35 against De La Salle-and it most certainly could factor into a high-energized game like this one. The Huskies will be celebrating the holidays a little early and Fenwick will use the loss as a motivator for what has annually become a hot second half of the season.