St. Rita's Rashay Russell has committed to play for the
Toledo (OH) Rockets.
News & Notes
By Frank Rusnak
After winning the Adidas Back to School Tournament at Loyola University on Sept. 16, St.
Rita showed that they should be considered as one of the Class AA State Title contenders.
Topping West Aurora in the finals, they were led by 5'11" point guard Rashay
Russell. Already committed to Toledo (OH), Russell has big plans for his
experienced Mustangs. "Our last two seasons have been disappointing," said
Russell, who averaged 12 points and six assists last season. "Our main goal right now
is to get Downstate and I think we have the ability to win the Chicago Catholic League. We
have three D1 players and two guys who can play D2 or low D1. And all of us are seniors
this year, so everyone's going to be ready this year." The fellow Division One-level
players that Russell is referring to are the twin towers of 6'7" Jerrah Young
and 6'8" Michael Rembert. On the perimeter along with Russell with
be two 6'1" marksmen, Bill Bendoraitis and Kevin Carrol.
Peoria Notre Dame's Brian Randle committed to Illinois. He averaged 18
points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals. He also holds down a perfect 4.0 GPA in
the classroom.
Loyola Academy's Colin Falls will be suiting up for the Fighting Irish
of Notre Dame in his post-prep days. Falls averaged 24 points on an 18-8 Rambler team last
year. He was being looked at by Marquette, Northwestern and DePaul before he committed.
Robinson's Tyson Schnitker has given an oral commitment to the
Sycamores of Indiana State. He averaged 12 points and four assists while shooting 60
percent from the 3-point line. His high school teammate Nick Brooks also
will be playing Division I basketball next year. A 6'6" swingman, Brooks has verbally
committed to Butler. Along with Schnitker, Brooks guided Robinson to the Class A Elite
Eight last season. Brooks averaged 22 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks
a game for the 29-3 Maroons.
Rochelle's Ben Rand is Hawkeye-bound after committing to Steve Alford's
Iowa program. Rand helped his Hubs to the supersectionals last season before they fell to
Moline. He finished the season averaging 26 points and 10 rebounds for a 22-4 team.
DuQuin's 6'4" shooting guard Nick Hill has committed to Western
Kentucky. The Hilltoppers won out over South Florida and Kansas State. Hill stares for the
tiny Class A school on both the football field as the quarterback and on the hardwood,
which is where he'll be playing on the next level.
Ryan Paradise from Naperville Central has given a verbal commitment to
Northern Illinois. Paradise averaged 19 points while connecting on 67 three-pointers on
the year as a junior. He has a career high of 38 points which he had against Glenbard
North last season.
