During the holiday hoops season, Proviso West is most commonly associated as the host of one of the most prestigious boys high school basketball tournaments in the country. From the Panthers’ perspective though, their girls basketball team probably merits more recognition considering Proviso West will be vying for its fifth consecutive championship at the Morton College Minuteman Holiday Classic, which begins today and runs through Saturday.
Riverside Brookfield, which finished as the tournament runner-up last year, would love to spoil the Panthers’ “drive for five” or any other squad’s title aspirations in the balanced eight-team field. Off to a 6-4 start and an impressive 3-1 mark in the Metro Suburban Conference this season, the Bulldogs are eager to make a serious run at the title.
“It’s always a really big tournament for us,” said RB center Fallon Ryan. “This year, we’re all expecting to do really well [at Morton College] and hopefully we can win the tournament. Our bench and younger players have really been stepping up for us which is important.”
Ryan, a 6-foot junior who recently scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against Elmwood Park, has been playing excellent basketball at both ends of the floor.
On the perimeter, the Bulldogs boast plenty of scoring options, notably Rachel Buccieri, Molly McCloskey, Regan Riley, April Hutchens, Jessie Hutchens and Emily Chapman, fueled by an up-tempo style of basketball. Shaquita Slater has added defense and rebounding in the post to spell Ryan.
At Minuteman, Proviso West, Hinsdale South, Lane Tech, Morton and RB are all viable contenders to finish in the top spot.
“Last year, it was a really competitive tournament,” Buccieri said. “I remember it came down to a game that we lost on a couple of free throws in the closing seconds. We’ll see how it goes this year, but it’s always a great experience.”
Proviso West has won 18 consecutive Minuteman games, including eight in a row at Morton College over the last two years. Although the Panthers lost two-time Minuteman MVP Tonesha Members to graduation, Proviso West coach Beverly Robertson returns a talented roster.
Hinsdale South, which has played in the consolation game five straight years, is led by two-time all-Minuteman selection Chloe Harris and 6-1 Joanna Giampoli. Argo, off to a 5-3 start, Addison Trail and Reavis are also playing solid basketball.
“I think Hinsdale South is probably the team to beat this year,” said RB coach Larry Rocco. “In this tournament, any of the eight teams can beat another one on any given night. Our kids are going to play hard and give it their best shot.”
In their tournament opener, the Bulldogs take on Argo tonight at 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, RB meets Addison Trail (3 p.m.), and the Bulldogs complete their Orange Division competition Friday (7:30 p.m.) against Hinsdale South.
The championship game will be held Saturday (7:30 p.m.) pitting the top Blue Division team against the top Orange Division team.