I am one who has had the distinct privilege to be up close and personal with Smith and the inner workings of a program that few truly understand. The perennial south suburban power lost two Division I prospects in the offseason, both transferring out of the program. We've nearly reached the conclusion of the regular season with the biggest games yet to . The list includes some familiar names and past winners, along with some under-appreciated coaches who are receiving their due. The most recent was the Class 4A crown in 2012-13 which was the fourth consecutive championship for the Wolverines. Mr. Hambric ran alongside his players on a grueling training lap that started at the high school at 83rd Street and Vincennes Avenue, headed south to 87th Street, east to King Drive and then up to 83rd for the final stretch back to the school. Simeon All Access: Administrators, parents, coaches search for answers in wake of shooting death of 17-year-old Morgan Park student Tyrone Lawson after a Morgan Park Simeon basketball game at . His team buckled down defensively in overtime, not allowing Kenwood a field goal. a future NBA Most Valuable Player who made Simeon the first Chicago Public League School team to win back-to-back state championships. Sports team/skills coaching at London Pulse basketball club and at Drayton Manor High School: - Coaching and setting drills for children improved leadership and communication skills. Bucknor for rejecting handshake: Zero class, Man shot and killed after fight in downtown St. Louis, Fate of St. Louis Fox Theatre still undecided, Liberty High student killed in St. Charles shooting could heal you with a smile, Brothers who did everything together, fashionista among victims in fatal St. Louis crash, Arch Madness: 2023 MVC Basketball Tournament bracket, schedule, game times, TV info, Centene expects to lose millions of Medicaid customers beginning in April, St. Louis prosecutors staff down by nearly half as caseloads jump. Then there are the many untold stories of how he nurtured players. Im sure Simeon will hire a quality replacement, said Slaugher. Simeon High School basketball player Ben Wilson on Nov. 13, 1984. 0:05. I personally remember several talks with Smith over the past year or two where he would openly discuss how he personally found other interests, outside of basketball, during the down time of Covid. In the 1990s, Mr. Hambric put together a stretch of 10 straight 20-win seasons. 0. Meet the Team. Rose and . But thats what having a seasoned pro on the bench will do for you. "Just for that moment, to embrace them as players, and as people.". The Role of the AAU. So that actually took a lot of pressure off of me.. Wilson, a Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School basketball player, was regarded as the top high school player in the U.S. by scouts and coaches attending the 1984 Athletes For Better Education basketball camp. [Smith] trusted his players, thats what was special about him, Parker said. Coach. But that was Simeon. The Wolves have won 25 games and gone a perfect 16-0 in the league, including going on the road and handing Joliet West its only conference loss. 8147 S. Vincennes Avenue Chicago, IL 60620 . 1 and just recently capped off the regular season with a city championship. But Velasquez, who is 131-31 in the past six seasons, worked a pair of transfers into the mix and kept the Wolves humming. Weve nearly reached the conclusion of the regular season with the biggest games yet to come. People think we dont like each other, but that isnt the case. Cheerleading and Dance Volleyball Wrestling Soccer Basketball Football. He coached at a YMCA before taking over the frosh-soph teams at Simeon, presiding over a string of winning squads and continuing to win when he became varsity coach in 1980. Mr. Hambric's wife, Phyllis Hambric, preceded him in death. Custom Content Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand . I wanted them to hear it from me and not read it somewhere.. Photographer Dean Reid has posted a new gallery Simeon vs. Kenwood containing 40 photos. The new mayor has the power to physically remake the city or large portions of it. It would be quite the ending to an amazingly successful run. Sport *Dante Culbreath (head) Football *Dennis Butler . On 2/9, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their away conference game against Curie (Chicago, IL) by a score of 64-60. They are both playing basketball now, and I want to be able to give them my full attention. He led the program to new heights, beginning with to back-to-back Class AA state championships led by Rose in 2006 and 2007. The 2021-22 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 2021-22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season.The Redbirds played their home games at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois as members of the Missouri Valley Conference.The team finished the season 13-20, 5-13 in MVC play to finish in eighth place. He will coach one more season a loaded team that is expected to contend for a state championship in 2023 and call it a career. Curtis Wilson, Ben Wilson's oldest brother, center, accepts a framed team jersey from members of the Simeon High School basketball team in 2009 during a retirement ceremony for Ben's number, No . Boys Basketball *William Buford. "To go out on top?" He never wavered from high standards that stressed teamwork over individual glory, and the boys who played for him learned to accept his rules or go elsewhere. The actor suffered a brain aneurysm Feb. 18 at his Los Angeles home and died in his sleep Friday at a hospital in Burbank, California, his manager said. Velasquez did welcome back a Division I talent in the versatile Mekhi Lowery. We will enjoy this for a few days and then we will regroup and try to fix some things and try to go win another state championship, Smith said. All the best players wanted to come to Simeon because of Coach Rob, Parker said. The new mayor has the power to physically remake the city or large portions of it. More:Here are Wisconsin high school basketball scores for Friday, Jan. 20 . "And then the 500 (wins) was the last piece of the puzzle.". The Ben Wilson Gymnasium opened in 1989. Upload it here. Simeon and Kenwood are both top contenders in the state playoffs. "I love Simeon," Smith said. On 2/24, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Englewood Stem (Chicago, IL) by a score of 70-33. Check out the lists below to see the daily stat leaders for Monday, Feb. 27 in five statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. St. Paul school district hosts meeting on campus safety after fatal stabbing at Harding High Wolves pick up much-needed victory, 108-101 over Clippers For better or worse. And they generally always played with such pride. Smith announced his retirement Thursday. Key Illinois high school boys basketball games, state tournament brackets, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. Smith made his debut as Simeons coach in 2004, the same night Derrick Rose made his for Simeon. Photos by @acphoto22. While he's still clearly on top of his game when it comes to coaching at a high level, he's decided this is his last season. . Photographer Ricky Slaughter has posted a new gallery Simeon vs. Vashon (Bank of O'Fallon Shootout) containing 65 photos. This is only our second time playing each other. Belleville West played Chicago Simeon in a game at the O'Fallon Shootout at O'Fallon High School on Saturday February 2, 2019. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. 2 sectional seed. Simeon coach Robert Smith carries the state championship trophy at a pep rally in 2011. The best teams are analyzed and the top players . Key Illinois high school baseball Week 10 games, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Simeon Coaches' Directory. They previously played in the 2020 Highland Shootout, with Vashon scoring an 80-71 win. You started seeing the change across the city during [Smiths time]. Grayslake Central knocked off Lake Forest 46-33, and Marmion beat Burlington Central 71-58 to win its first sectional since 1976. The Wolverines play unselfishly and disciplined, thanks to Smiths ideals and values of what team basketball should look like. Contact. He decided to return to Simeon instead and watched the Ramblers head to the Final Four. His name was Ben Wilson, and he attended Simeon High School in Chicago. His twin brother, Miles, added 15 points, six rebounds and five blocks. No other coach in state history has won more than four state titles. "I thought it was cross-country," Bankston said. Playing for Smith and Simeon absolutely means something to the players in this program, both present and past. A year ago New Trier finished with a school record 30 wins and reached a sectional championship. There is a reason Heidkamp is a two-time City/Suburban Hoops Report Coach of the Year winner. -. Its always good competing against him, though. We didnt win it. Earlier today I was thinking about games I played in before and all the seasons Ive coached.. Together with Whitney Young High School boys' basketball head coach Tyrone Slaughter, they launched the Classic a decade ago with a mutual vision to unite the city through basketball and community. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Simeon coach Robert Smith cheers his team on against Curie in 2018. Its been great the two times.. For better or worse. There were a handful of teams with massive preseason expectations when the season began. 50-42 (W) Simeon vs. St. Laurence On 2/28, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) by a score of 50-42 . When rival coach and now friend Tyrone Slaughter of Young heard the news, he didnt hesitate in making a bold statement. "He used to have a saying, 'Come the fourth quarter, you'll see who can play.'". Michael Gulledge, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, Collinsville guard Cawhan Smith (left) dribbles downcourt as he is closely guarded by Simeon player Jaylen Drane. Children. February 8, 2023 / 7:41 PM Belleville West senior EJ Liddell finds Jaylin Mosby for the go-ahead 3pt shot vs Simeon in the O'Fallon Shootout highlight | O'Fallon, IL. The Illinois Mr. Basketball award is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys basketball player in the U.S. state of Illinois.. Simeon coach Robert Smith coaches from the sidelines at far left. 3: Michael Ratliff. Mr. Hambric grew up on the South Side and played basketball at the old Parker High School. More:Wisconsin Lutheran moves back to the top of the boys basketball rankings; Oak Creek's Izaac Neal, Cedarburg honored. There wasnt any fake or forced bravado. Our school, originally known as Westcott Vocational High School, was established in September of 1949 at 8023 South Normal Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. In his tenure Smith has coached several NBA players, including Rose, Jabari Parker, Talen Horton-Tucker and others. His team buckled down defensively in overtime, not allowing Kenwood a field goal. We were always synchronized and organized.. But he took over for a legendary coach [Bob Hambric] and not only sustained the success but clearly surpassed it.. He is survived by a son, Robert Jr.; a daughter, Robyn; and a brother, Arthur. The GOAT retires: A look back at the legacy of Simeon basketball coach Robert Smith, Simeon basketball coach Robert Smith will retire after next season, Sectional final roundup: Simeon, St. Ignatius win in 3A; Oswego East takes down Joliet West in 4A, 2023 Chicago Sun-Times All-Area basketball team. On 2/11, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Kenwood (Chicago, IL) by a score of 72-64. Simeon coach Robert Smith and senior Jabari Parker embrace after winning the state championship in 2013. First published on February 8, 2023 / 4:50 PM. 1 small school in the STLhighschoolsports.com rankings and reinging two-time Class 4 champion, Vashon has been guided by coach Tony Irons since the 2015-16 season after previous stops at Imagine College Prep and Madison College Prep. He had 26 points and nine rebounds. The new mayor has the power to physically remake the city or large portions of it. More family time was at the forefront, including being able to watch his youngest, Rob Jr., play more. It hasnt really sunk in yet, Smith said. 773-535-3465/3236. FORT MYERS, Fla. Simeon Woods Richardson had already been traded twice before his 21st birthday, going from the Mets to the Blue Jays as part of the deal for Marcus Stroman in . Simeon Betts (9) P, OF, IF . 27. 2 in 1989.