The 2007 Full Package Fall Exposure League brought to you by IllinoisHSbasketball.com is now over, and a champion has been crowned in the freshman/ sophomore league as well as on the varsity level. The past eight weeks have been eventful to say the least, as we have seen Illinois’ future superstars display their talents every Sunday. Five teams came into week 8 with title hopes, but only one was able to survive…
Quarterfinal
Duke 66 vs. North Carolina 69
In the only quarterfinal game of the day, Duke and North Carolina matched up in a battle between ACC elites. North Carolina came into the game as a heavy favorite, and as the favorite to win the league title. UNC’s duo of Duje Dukan (Deerfield) and Corday Sims (North Lawndale) dominated the game, as Duje’s sweet outside shot got him 19 points, and Sims was spectacular on both ends of the floor; amassing 30 points and 14 rebounds. However, Duje and Corday’s impressive outputs waere not enough to pull away, as Duke stuck with them until the end. Kyle O’Keefe (Barrington) was the one keeping Duke in the game the whole time, as it seemed whenever Duke needed a big three: Kyle was there. The sophomore hit eight three pointers en route to scoring 28 points in the 66-69 loss. Tom Antosz added 15 for Duke.
Semifinals
Purdue 85 vs. Illinois 65
This game was close in the first half, thanks to the hot hand of freshman guard Rashad Wahab (Lincoln Park). Wahab was connecting from everywhere on the court for Illinois, and the guard was single handedly making the game a challenge for Purdue. Wahab, who is known for his defense and playmaking skills, is showing a much improved offensive game of late, and should be in the top 7 of Lincoln Park’s rotation next year. Despite Rashad’s 31 points, Purdue pulled away in the second half thanks to forward Jermaine Winfield’s (North Lawndale) dominance inside. Winfield has been the best in the league in the weeks that he has played, and he backed that up in this game by scoring 37 points and grabbing almost 20 rebounds. The 6-4 forward is definitely a prospect to watch. Jimmy Stamas (Lyons) added 22 for Purdue in the 85-65 win.
Wake Forest 76 vs. North Carolina 75 – Overtime-
Many thought that this would be a blowout win for mighty UNC, however undersized Wake Forest didn’t think that way at all. Wake Forest came into this game hungry for a title, and the guard-led team played like it. They stuck with heavily favored North Carolina throughout the whole game, and used their speed to dominate the transition game. They tied the game at 71 and sent it to overtime. Overtime was very close, but in the end Wake’s balanced guard attack was just too much for UNC to handle, despite Corday Sims’ 35 points and Duje Dukan’s 22. Patrick Woolfolk (North Lawndale) and Nate Johnson (Stevenson) led Wake Forest to the 75-76 win. Woolfolk finished with 18 points and Johnson added 17.
Championship Game
Wake Forest 79 vs. Purdue 73
For the past eight weeks, ten teams have been battling on the court every Sunday in hopes to win the Fro/Soph title of the Full Package exposure league brought to you by Illinoishsbasketball.com. Only one team could survive, and if anyone told you on the first day of the league that that team would be Wake Forest, most would’ve called you crazy. The team has no true big men, and lacks many “big name” players, but they are well coached, play hard, and most importantly they play together.
Patrick Woolfolk (North Lawndale) led the attack all season, and that is why it was a fitting end that he was the teams leading scorer in the title game with 28 points.
Freshman Zach Hilgendorf (Glenbrook North) is one of the most underrated players in the class of 2011, and plays hard whenever he’s on the floor. Thanks to his hard work, and to Patrick’s “dimes,” Zach finished with 25 points for Wake in the 79-73 win.
Jermaine Winfield (North Lawndale) has been the most dominant player in the league all season, but his 34 points and 16 rebounds in this game just weren’t enough to come away with the win. Freshman Ryan Chapman (Stevenson) scored 13, and Nate Johnson (Stevenson) added 11 for Wake. Steven Thorpe (North Lawndale) had 12 for Purdue.