Warhawks make their point ... 102 times
By Michael O’Brien mobrien@suntimes.com November 20, 2012 8:00PM
North Chicago's Jarrod Coleman (52) knocks over Waukegan's Jordan Johnson (1) as he takes a shot in Gurnee, Ill. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: January 20, 2013 1:16AM
North Chicago calls them the Big Three: JaVairius Amos-Mays, JayQuan McCloud and Kurt Hall.
Warhawks coach King Coleman says that several colleges are recruiting all three players, hoping for a package deal.
There isn’t a high-major offer on the table for any of the three players — not yet. But if Amos-Mays keeps playing like he did Tuesday in Gurnee, it won’t be long.
“I’m waiting for that offer,” Amos-Mays said. “I’m praying it will come.”
Amos-Mays scored 30 points in North Chicago’s 102-62 thrashing of rival Waukegan in the Mundelein/Warren Thanksgiving Tournament.
He had 16 points in the decisive second quarter, closing out the half with four consecutive 3-pointers followed by a slam. Nearly everything was falling, as he shot 11-for-18 from the field, including 7-of-10 from 3-point range.
“I was just focused,” Amos-Mays said. “Before the game, coach said he wanted us to get 100 points. I fed off JayQuan’s hot hand.”
McCloud set the pace early for the Warhawks (2-0), pouring in 12 of his 20 points before Amos-Mays heated up in the second quarter.
The wheels came off in that second quarter for the Bulldogs. Coach Ron Ashlaw called a timeout after a 10-3 run and broke a clipboard over his knee before he went over to speak to his team.
The theatrics had little effect, as North Chicago reeled off an 11-0 run to take a 39-16 lead.
Hall finished with 19 points and seven rebounds and senior forward Jarrod Coleman added 10 boards.
“This was a statement game,” Amos-Mays said. “We wanted to come out and show that we were better than last year. (Aaron Simpson) is gone so people think we aren’t as good. But we have our own opinion.”
DeVonte Taylor and Quintin Davis each scored 13 for the Bulldogs (1-1).
“They are all just getting used to playing with each other right now,” Coleman said. “But once they band together they are really going to be a special team to watch.”
