UpdatedThu, Mar 11, 2021 at 2:41 pm CT
Reply
Navigating through an exhausting condensed schedule during the coronavirus pandemic, staying healthy, and playing with masks on were among the many challenges confronting the Evanston team during the 2021 high school basketball season.
And with the season on the line Wednesday night at Beardsley Gymnasium, the Wildkits kept the faith and kept their masks on.
But there was no more social distancing - especially on defense.
Subscribe
The Wildkits crowded Maine South on every possession, limiting the Hawks to just 4 field goals total over the first 3 quarters on their way to a 45-33 triumph and earned at least a share of the Central Suburban League South division championship for the 7th year in a row.
Reply
Even with an abbreviated schedule in effect this year, Evanston basketball coach Mike Ellis didn t change his approach to certain Central Suburban League crossover games.
Like he did last year, Ellis decided to rest his front-line players and give the Wildkit reserves an opportunity to make a good impression Tuesday night against Maine East.
And - just like last year - Ethan Kye took advantage of that opportunity.
Subscribe
Kye poured in a career-high 15 points to set the tone for the Kits in a 77-21 drilling of the Blue Demons as Evanston improved to 5-0 on the season overall.
Reply
By the time most high school basketball teams achieve anything close to the team chemistry they re seeking for this abbreviated season, the season will probably be over.
That s a box Evanston s already checked. With a starting lineup returning mostly intact from a group that was just two wins short of another trip to the Class 4A Final Four before the coronavirus shut down the state tournament last spring, the Wildkits will rely on that chemistry and experience in a season that starts Saturday and will consist almost entirely of games against Central Suburban League opponents.
Subscribe
Evanston opens Saturday at Beardsley Gymnasium at 2 p.m. against Vernon Hills. The only non-conference foe on the slate is Loyola Academy, which will host the Kits on February 15th. The season concludes on March 13th and there will be no postseason play.