BlueCross/BlueShield Classic Recap

Dockery put on a show
in game one with 11 steals

Point Guards Get the Job Done
as Chicago Teams Shine

It was a good day for Chicago basketball, as Chicago Julian knocked off suburban power Joliet Township and Chicago Crane held off a pesky Peoria Richwoods ball-club in the BlueCross BlueShield Classic at UIC.

A key part for both of the victors was their point guard play, as Sean Dockery and Will Bynum were both spectacular.

"All that was said and written about Will Bynum; it's all true," said Peoria Richwoods' Coach Bob Darling after Bynum dismantled his Knights in a stunning performance.

Dockery as well had a memorable performance.

Finishing with 18 points, 7 assists and 11 steals, Dockery led Julian to a 60-52 win over Joliet.

With Julian up only a point at the half, it was a close game throughout, with the Jaguars pulling it out in the forth quarter.

Joliet was playing without the services of star junior forward Kellen Easley, who suffered a badly sprained ankle and is expected to be back in action in next weekend's City-Suburban Shootout.

Leading the way for Joliet was their 6'6" All-State performer, Roger Powell. Playing every minute of the ballgame, Powell finished with game highs in points and rebounds with 20 and 14 respectively.

Also contributing for the Steelmen was 6'5" senior Terrance Chapman with 16 points and 6 rebounds.

In the end, it was just too much Dockery. Coming off a 71-69 last second loss two nights ago against Memphis White Station (TN) in Metropolis, located in Southern Illinois, the Jaguars had their sea legs under them tonight.

"We still have a lot of work to do," said Julian Coach Loren Jackson. "We seemed sluggish from the trip to Metropolis."

Despite the hectic schedule, Dockery showed no signs of slowing down tonight.

Playing in front of representatives from Duke, North Carolina and Illinois, who made their way out to watch Dockery play, he certainly didn't disappoint.

Using a variety of stutter-steps and crossover dribbles, Dockery penetrated the lane seemingly at will.

If not for a mild ankle sprain he suffered towards the end of the game, Dockery would have played the entire contest.

Missing less than a minute of action after his fall, Dockery returned to the ball game to lead his team to victory.

"Sean's a warrior," said Anton Palmer (17 points) about his gritty teammate.

The second game proved to be equally as exciting as the first. In the first half of play it was the Will Bynum Show.

Bynum, who single handily outscored Peoria Richwoods in the first half with 20 points, put on a display that had the entire crowd at the UIC Pavilion in an uproar.

"I don't think I've seen a better half of basketball from anyone," said Darling. "Whatever he ate for supper last night, I want some of that."

Going into the half with a 35-19 lead, it looked as if it would be a blow out.

However, in the second half Bynum started to cool down and Richwoods began hitting some buckets and executing.

"We just decided not to let Bynum walk the ball up the floor," said Darling, about his team's change of strategy after halftime.

Shooting a dreadful 29% from the field in the first half, Richwoods seemingly had no option but to improve coming out of the locker room for the second half.

Leading the charge for the Knights after halftime was Steve Turner and Marcus Jackson, who finished with 18 and 17 points respectively.

Getting their deficit to as few as 4 points (69-65) with a minute left to play, Richwoods just couldn't get over the hump, losing 74-70.

"I'm happy we came out with the win," said Crane Coach Anthony Longstreet. "Peoria Richwoods is very experienced and a great team."

Contributing along with Bynum were two of Crane's super sophomores, Florentino Valencia and Lorenzo Thompson who both chipped in with 14 points.

With Richwoods having a very successful summer and coming into the season with a lot of expectations, they are not going to let a loss like this get them down.

"There's a lot of season left," said Darling. "I think we'll grow from this loss."

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