Chicago Public League Sports Blog

2:13.76 in the 800 by Senn freshman Yamen at CPS Open Meet

Results


Robell Yamen(fr) of Senn time of 2:13.76 in the 800 is the fastest non- Lane Tech or non-Jones freshman runner in an outdoor 800 meter since Jorge Rodriguez ran a 2:09.35 in 2009 for Curie.

Senn Building Blocks

Lejiso Tuke(fr-left) and Robel Yemane (fr) on their way to finishing 1-3 at the Niles West #2 meet.

I'll be honest Senn has not had much of a track team for most of the last 25 years. So when I saw a couple of Senn runners at the front of the freshman 800 meter run at the Niles West #2 meet I was surprised.

After the race I quickly learned that the winner, running a 2:18, was Lejiso Tuke(fr). In 3rd place was Robel Yemane(fr).

Tuke, was the surprise CPS freshman city champion in cross country.  I wasn't sure he was going to run track, so it was a surprise to see him run track- and a pleasant surprise to see him beat the field including runners from Jones and Niles West.

Not too far from Tuke finishing 3rd at 2:23 was Yamen.

"I play on the varsity soccer team for Senn in the fall, so I don't run cross country. But soccer keeps me in shape. I also ran in the winter and I run from Bryn Mawr to Wilson - about 3 miles - every day during the weekend," said Robel Yemane.

"I grew up in Eritrea, while Tuke is from Ethiopia...both are in East Africa" added Yamen.

 

Coach Jarvey Lewis-Bey - Trying to Bring a New Norm to Marshall

I feel that a good coach is one of the biggest factors in the success of a programs. One of those coaches is coach Jarvis Lewis-Bey. After a successful run at Senn, Coach Bey decided to move to coach at Marshall. The results have been phenomal and speak for themselves.

Senn football team record with/without Bey
School Year         Record         Coach
2005-06               2-7              Herman Blade

2006-07                8-3            Jarve Lewis-Bey
2007-08                3-6            Jarve Lewis-Bey
2008-09                7-4            Jarve Lewis-Bey
2009-10                8-2            Jarve Lewis-Bey
2010-11                9-1            Jarve Lewis-Bey

2011-12                1-8            Vincent Davis

Marshall football team with/without Bey:
School Year         Record         Coach
2009-10                4-5             William Gray
2010-11                2-7             William Gray

2011-12                8-2             Jarve Lewis-Bey

Immediate Dividends
As you can see from the table above, Coach Jarve-Bey is developing a track record of successfull turnarounds. He turned Senn around from a school with consistent losing record to one of winning. His record his last two seasons at Senn was 17-3.

He it trying to do the same thing at Marshall. I just did not know he could do it so quick. He turned Marshall around from a 2-7 team to an 8-2 team in one year. His team almost pulled out a shocker in last year's playoffs when his team lost only 10-6 to a very good Evergreen Park team in the first round of the state playoffs. Evergreen Park ended up being a state quarterfinalist.

I can't wait to find out what he can do his second year at Marshall. It will be a tougher test for Marshall as they have been promoted to the much tougher Illini Heartland conference with Brooks, Harper, and others.

Football Team Previews Page

Here is a video interview I conducted of Bey when he was at Senn after his team pounded Lincoln Park.

Defensive Back/Safety Watch List

Steven Reese(sr-S) ranks as the #1 DB/S in the CPS.(max prep photo)

Defensive Back/Safety Watch List
Steven Reese(sr- S), Julian
Thomas Burton(6-1, 180lbs, S) Simeon
Demarlon Morris(jr, DB), Julian
Clayton Dora(5-9, 165lb, sr) Robeson
Romero Jones (5-6, 150lbs, DB/RB) Robeson
Aaron Banks(sr, DB), Simeon
Anthony Johnson (5-9, 175lbs, sr) Hubbard
Jibreel Jackson(5-9, 152lbs, sr) Curie
Byron Kelley(jr), Brooks
Darius Jones(DB/WR), Fenger
Dan Finger(jr,CB/QB) Whitney Young
Antonio Abreu(jr, RB/DB), Lane Tech
Alexandre Hickerson(sr, DB), Whitney Young
Josh Wagner(QB/WR/S) Calumet
Kirk Young(sr, CB) Simeon
Hector Ochoa(sr, DB) Washington
Trevion Hartfield(5-8, 170lb, CB, jr), Morgan Park
Shadoe Nichols(5-4, 145lbs, sr) Senn
Michael Branscum(5-7, 135lbs, DB,sr) Schurz

This list is not as deep as I thought it woud be. With so many speedy type players in the CPS, you would think the defensive back and safety watch list would be bigger than it is.

Neverthless, there are some solid players on this list. At the top is Steven Reese of Julian. He performed very well at the Nike football combine in March at Chicago. He was the 5th best overall performer finishing ahead of even Brian Carter(sr, RB) of Kelvyn Park and Desroy Maxwell(sr. WR/Line) of Amundsen.

Rapidly rising is Thomas Burton(6-1, 180lbs, S) of Simeon. After a good summer he is being looked at by some major colleges. At 6-1 he's got good height for a safety.

Clayton Dora(5-9, 165lb, sr) returns as Robeson's top returning tackler and so case could be made for him being an all-city DB. Dora also plays running back and mainly plays linebacker. Though, I feel he can play DB at the next level.

Jibreel Jackson(5-9, 152lbs, sr) of Curie returns on a veteran Curie team that is expected to make another run at the city championship and maybe even beyond. Jackson will likely play both ways as he was Curies second leading receiver last year.

One of my favorite players is Shadoe Nichols of Senn. At 5-4, 145lbs he is usually the smallest players on the field even. But do not be deceived by his size. He's got great speed and quickeness, plus he is a good tackler. Look for him to be one of Senn's top tacklers this year as Senn plays up in the Illini-conference.

Please comment why your player should be added to this list.

Running Back Watch List

Overall Watch List

Receiver Watch List

Lineman Watch List

QuarterBack Watch list

 Linebacker Watch List

CPS Pre-Season Football Players Watch List

I am going to start this thread listing some of the players to look out for this upcoming football season. Players will be added to this list as time goes by. Or players can be moved from one category to the other. Feel free to comment and state why you feel they should be added to this list. Classes are determined as of the 2011-12 school year. They are listed in no specific order except by name recognition.

updated 6/2/11

Mainstream Already Recognizes All These Names; Big Time DI Type
Jordan Diamond(sr, OL), Simeon
Robert Gregory(sr, QB), Simeon
Maurice Fleming(sr, QB), Curie
Mikhail Dubose(sr, DL/TE), Hubbard
Shaquille Joyner(sr, LB), Simeon
Mario Jones(sr, OL/DL), Hubbard
Brian Carter(sr, RB), Kelvyn Park
Desroy Maxwell(sr, WR/S), Amundsen
Dae Shaun Hurley(sr, QB) Morgan Park

On the Cusp
Darvell Harris(sr-QB), Dunbar
Steven Reese(sr- S), Julian
Darren Monroe(sr- OL), Simeon
Quincy Skanes(sr, QB), Hubbard
Demarco Young(sr, Line), Dunbar
Demarlon Morris(jr, DB), Julian
Aaron Banks(sr, DB), Simeon
Vaughn King(sr), Curie
Kevonta McIntyre(sr, RB-LB), Curie
Darien Boone (jr, QB, 6-2, 175lbs), Fenger
Damarco Gilmore (5-11, 185lbs, LB, jr), Harlan
Corey Thomas (6-3, 280lbs, jr), Lindblom - New
Lance Baggett (6-1, 230lbs, sr), Chicago Academy - New

On the rise
Devon Sanders(jr, DE/RB), Robeson
Jarvis Wright(sr, QB/CB), Robeson
Byron Kelley(jr), Brooks
Daquan Sain(jr- OL/DL), Brooks
Ahmad Bradshaw(jr- QB), Brooks
Destry Cross(jr, DL), Harlan
DeShaun Jordan(jr, WR), North Lawndale
Ricky Harris(sr, RB), Dyett
Cywettnie Brown(sr), Simeon
Davion Belk(DE), Whitney Young
Phillip Martin (sr, DE), Kenwood
Brandon Peppers(sr, RB), Morgan Park
Antonio Abreu(jr, RB/DB), Lane Tech
Ian Rundquist(jr, line), Lane Tech
Dan Finger(jr, QB) Whitney Young
Martin Shine(jr, OL/DL), Taft
Terry Magee (so, WR), North Lawndale
David Underwood(jr, DE), CVS

Senn Stuns Lane

Matt VillanuevaJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:24pm Re: January 7th 2011 Lane 60 Senn 65 Before the game, we knew Senn would be no cake-walk but we also had confidence that we would prevail. Unfourtunately, things didn't go as planned. Most of the game was back and forth as both teams were hot from the three point line early. Senn was lead by #2 with 24 points. It seemed like whenever Senn was in need of a basket, he would score at will. With Senn leading most of the fourth quarter, we got it back to a tie game as Senior Forward Mark Brand's several put-backs kept us in the game at the end. Mark had a career-best performace with 18 points and 13 rebounds. With Senn leading by 3 and under 10 seconds left, they got a steal on defense which forced us to foul. Unfourtunately for us, he made both and sealed the deal for a win. Senior Guard Dillan Torres had 14 points which included 4 threes. This loss puts us in a three-way tie for second place in a conference that is still wide open. We got Taft and Prosser next week with a chance to strengthen our record to 4-1. Lane Tech (8-7)(2-1) Other Red-North Scores Lincoln Park 57, Payton 32 Prosser 41, Von Steuben 38 Foreman 69, Uplift 41

Red-North Wide Open This Year

There is no clear cut favorite to win the Red-North. Anyone can take it - even Senn?!

Red-North teams 2010-11 (last year records)
Foreman 26-4 (9-0)
Von Steuben 18-8 (7-2)
Lincoln Park 18-10 (7-2)
Uplift 13-13 (6-3)
Taft 12-15 (5-4)
Senn 12-13 (4-5)
Lane 11-15 (4-5)
Payton 6-16 (2-7)
Mather 25-4 (9-0)
Prosser 18-9 (8-1)

Crete-Monee 68 Von Steuben 28. That score in Von Steuben's first game of the season tells it all. Von Steuben, normally a Red-North powerhouse is down this year. Same with Foreman and Lincoln Park.The days where Foreman and Von Steuben finishing 2nd and 3rd in the prestigious Proviso West Holiday Tournament like they did last year, are not going to happen this year.

Here's my take on the top 3 teams from last year.

Foreman, a basketball power the last 4 years has graduated a bevy of talent and will take a drop off. How big? Depends on how much their returning players and frosh-soph players who make varsity develop. They will surely miss their 3 DI guards who graduated last year: Mike McCall (Saint Louis), Lavonte Dority (South Florida) and Tommy Woolridge (Eastern Illinois). Foreman does return George Edwards a 6-5 senior forward.

Von Steuben ended last season with a disapointing loss to Mather from the Blue-North conference in the state playoffs. They will try to bounce back this year with some young talent. The one to look out for is sophomore guard Demetrius Faulkner.

Lincoln Park is always well coached and has conditioned athletes. However, the conditioning has not resulted in too many wins so far this year as Lincoln Park has stumbled to a 2-3 start. They struggled in their two wins against Prosser and Tilden. On the plus side their losses have come against good teams from Proviso West, St. Ignatius, and New Trier. Lincoln Park is led by guard Rashad Wahab and Adonis Lema. Lema is leading the Lions in scoring with 11.5 points per game.

With the Big 3 appearing to be a bit down this year, the door is open for someone else to step up. Lane, Uplift, Mather, Senn, Taft?  Who wants it most!

Football Wrestlers

Dual sport wrestling and football star Yusef Mohammed of Senn

In the CPS wrestling has athletes who play other sports especially football. Look for the following "football" players this year in wrestling

Yusef Mohammed (sr)of Senn (all-city linebacker, city runner up at 189lbs last year)
David Whitaker from Simeon (a strong defender for the football team, placed 3rd at 160lbs)
Rashad Treadway (sr) of Gage Park (captain of Gage Park's football team, 4th at 189lbs)
Dequence Goodman(sr)of Bowen (all-conference lineman, 3rd at 215lbs)
Terrell Klinkscale(sr) of Douglas (all conference lineman, 285lb champion)
Christopher Ballard (jr?) of Gage Park (all conference lineman, 4th 285lbs)
Jameel Carter (sr) of Uplift (starting QB, 119lb runner up)
Nick Jankowski (jr) of Lane (starting QB, 119lb champion)

There's a whole bunch more. If anyone can think of anymore, please comment.

Graylake Central 21 - Senn 0 - Halftime Score

Senn Overmatched by Grayslake Central

 
Cody Gillard (sr- RB) and Rashaun Roberts (sr, WR)

I got an indecation Grayslake Central was a serious program when two hours before kickoff carloads of Grayslake Central fans were in the parking lot tailgaiting.

They also showed it on the field, as Grayslake Central completely dominated the first half and led 21-0. I left the game at that point. There was no use watching any longer.

Senn started out the game well by causing nad then recovering a Grayslake fumble on their first posession. Then, when Senn had the ball, running back Cody Gillard ran for about a 20 yard gain. But after that it was all downhill for the Bulldogs. The Grayslake line completely controlled the Senn line as Senn could muster absolutely nothing on offense. Thus, giving Grayslake excellent field position every time they got the ball. The game was played on the Senn side of the field the entire half.

Since Senn is in a Chicago Conference, they do not qualify for the city playoffs after a state playoff loss. Thus, their season is over. Senn will move upto the Illini-conference since they won their Chicago Conference.

A look at Senn vs Grayslake Central

I predicting that Senn and Cody Gilliard (sr, RB, above) will have a strong chance of beating #15 seed Grayslake Central. Grayslake Central was 5-4 and finished 3rd in the Fox Valley conference. The Fox Valley is strong on top with Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge, but after that I think is vulnerable.

The signs are good for Senn. Senn is a disciplined, make few turnovers and very fit team. Grayslake North will travel to unfamiliar territory in Chicago. Senn is also very good. Unlike many city schools, Senn is capable of passing the ball as well as running. Sophomore QB Quinell Johnson does not have the strongest arm, but throws enough and well enough to keep defenses honest. Senn can also run the ball with RB Cody Gilliard.

Still, Grayslake Central is the best team that Senn has faced thus far.

Graylake Central  is a balanced team as well. QB Rey Beckman (jr) is a very efficient passer. Beckman hands the ball off to rushers Jahard Nelson and Joey Valdivia.

This will also be the fastest team that Senn has played all year. Grayslake  Central has 5 athletes that qualified for the class 2A state track meet last spring. Senior safety Kevin Hein in an all-state wrestler finishing 4th at 189lb 2A wrestling last school year. This is also a fit and very conditioned team. Unlike Chicago Conference teams that Senn has faced, Grayslake Central can match Senn athlete for athlete.

It will be a close game. Senn is undefeated and the best in the Chicago Conference. They will keep the game close and has a chance to win. But it has to be mistake free and scoring early and often will help.

 

Senn Bracket in 5A

#2 Senn vs #15 Grayslake Central
#7 Julian vs #10 Marian Central

#3 Sycamore vs #14 Lakes
#6 Montini vs #11 St. Francis