Press Release
For Immediate Release; July 12, 2010
Contact: Scott Chandler (630-963-7355)
16th Annual McDonald’s® “City-Suburban Showdown”
Lisle, IL --- The Integrity Group confirmed today that its’ nationally
recognized McDonald’s “City-Suburban Showdown” Boys H.S. Basketball event,
which has averaged close to 7,000 fans, will be held on Saturday, February
19, 2011. The site will once again be the UIC Pavilion, and the
triple-header format will return.
In Game 1 (5:15) it’s a rematch for two West Suburban Conference powers that
figure to continue their winning ways. The “Lions” from LaGrange-Lyons
Township (26-2), defending SILVER Division Champions, return a strong
nucleus featuring Sr. Nick Zeisloft (SG, 6-4). They’ll clash with the
“Pirates” (18-7) from Maywood-Proviso East, the defending GOLD Division
Champions, who are eager to make amends for their 73-63 loss to the Lions.
They return several key players and are led by Jr. Keith Carter (G, 6-1).
Game 2 (7:00) pits Class 3A favorites, Rock Island (23-7) against
Chicago-Morgan Park (26-5). The “Rocks”, the Western Big-6 Champions, and
“Sweet Sixteen” finisher, return their top-4 starters. They’re led by Chasson Randle (SG, 6-2), 1st Team All-State and USA U17 Team member. The
“Mustangs”, the defending Chicago Public League Champions, will be led by
Wayne Blackshear (SG, 6-5 - Louisville) the top-rated player in the state,
and one of the Top-25 in the nation.
Game 3 (8:45) is a rematch of last season’s Hinsdale Central
Super-Sectional, as Lisle-Benet gets an opportunity to avenge its 2OT loss
(58-50) to eventual 4A Champion Chicago-Simeon Career Academy. Both teams
return the majority of (City-Suburban Showdown their starting units and
figure to be among the top-rated teams in the state. The “Redwings”, the
defending East Suburban Catholic Conference champions (26-4), feature David Sobolewski (6-1, G - Northwestern), the ESCC Player of the Year. The
“Wolverines” (25-9), who also won state titles in 2006 and 2007, under
current Head Coach Robert Smith, will feature Sophomore Jabari Parker (6-6,
G/F), who has been rated as the top player in his class by one national
publication.
Fans now expect to see some of the top talent in Illinois, if not the
nation, and last season’s showdown was no exception. In Game 1,
Chicago-Mount Carmel (ranked #6) defeated fellow Catholic school power, St.
Patrick, by the score of 52-44. Tracy Abrams finished with 21 pts. and 5
rebounds for the Caravan. Game 2, saw De La Salle Institute upset #11
Chicago-Simeon Career Academy (the eventual Class 4A Champion), in a battle
of local power houses. The Meteors’ Michael Shaw led the way with 21 pts.,
10 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. The finale, Game 3, featured the top-two
rated teams in a rematch of the Class 4A Championship game of 2009, as
Waukegan handled the defending champion, Chicago-Whitney Young, by a score
of 59-42. The Bulldogs were led by “Mr. Basketball” winner, Jereme Richmond,
who had 16 pts., 11 rebounds (10 defensive), and 6 blocked shots.
Tickets are priced at $12 for Adults and $10 for Students (18 and under) and
may be purchased at the schools, or in person, at the UIC Pavilion Ticket
Office (312-413-5700). They will also be available at TicketMaster.com, or
by calling them at 1-800-745-3000. All seats are reserved and sold on a
“First Come, First Served” basis, so get your tickets early for the best
seats.
For more information on either event, you can call The Integrity Group at 630-963-7355, or e-mail us at: info@integritygrp.com.