Kennedy King story/photos

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KENNEDY-KING STATESMEN 2005 | Kennedy King story/photos

Photos in three locations...

1 Steve Strong Sophomore Guard South Shore

2 Brandon Williams Freshman Forward Glenville(Cleveland Oh)

5 Joel Burnett Sophomore Guard Holy Cross

14 Tounise Jackson Sophomore Forward Hyde Park

20 Reginald Russell Freshman Forward Peoria Central

22 Andreo Harris Freshman Guard Riley(South Bend In.)

23 Steve Newson Freshman Guard Adams(South Bend In.)

24 Parish Brown Sophomore Guard Thornridge

31 Gregg Charles Sophomore Guard Thornton

41 Brandon Hamilton Sophomore Forward Mission Viejo(Long Beach Ca.)

44 Brandon Prince Sophomore Forward Riley(South Bend In.)

51 Uriah Rice Sophomore Guard Hales

55 Antoine Stewart Sophomore Center Harper

HEAD COACH

Garland Dildy

ASSISTANT COACHES

Antonio Ross

Earl Poole

By Michael Kosman

(Chicago Il.) Perhaps even more so than at any high school around, the truest essence of organized team basketball can be found at the Juco's, and Chicago has plenty of those teams about. The j-u is for junior and the c-o is for college. What they are, hopefully for would-be basketball stars, is the first or sometimes middle step on their road to higher glory. Just like during their high school careers, players and coaches exhibit their skills mostly in small, poorly lit, nearly empty or half empty gyms. The competitive raw intensity remains intact, maybe even more so at this level, as ambitious players have so much more on the line.

On Thursday January 13th, we visited one of these wondrous sites (at least for hoops junkies). Kennedy-King College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and has always been recognized as a powerhouse and talent magnet in the NJCAA, as well as having a highly regarded reputation for graduating students (80%) to four year college programs elsewhere. Chicago area high school hoopers whose luck may have run out (for now) in securing a spot on a division two or three team, often look first to the Statesmen for a tryout and coveted selection to their team.

In an effort to look inside these programs, often a haven for players we chronicled while in high school, we'll occasionally visit some of our area junior college programs. We'll look first at Kennedy-King, coached by Garland Dildy. Dildy is in his third year as head coach, after serving three years as an associate head coach under the late Willie Little. "Coach Little was my mentor", Dildy said after Thursdays loss to Kankakee. "He teached me how to deal with inner-city kids and how to prepare for games. He was an invaluable tutor".

With his current squad, Dildy looks to his trifecta of team captains for leadership and ability. 6'1" 175 lbs. sophomore Parish Brown, from Thornridge high school, is currently attracting the most attention. Brown runs the team from the point, and credits Dildy's coaching with helping his game flourish. "His style of coaching plays to my strengths", responded Brown after Thursdays game. "We have an up tempo fast break style", added Dildy, "and Parish plays right into that. I look for him to graduate and enter a four year program at a mid level D1".

Steve Strong, a sophomore guard (6'1" 175lbs.) from South Shore high school is headed for Lewis University in Joliet. Dildy has high praise for Strong, whose work ethics have improved immeasurably at Kennedy-King. "Steve has worked very hard not only on his work ethic but also on his academics", Dildy said. "He has turned a lot of that around so as to better himself. We think he has to get a little stronger but also believe he is going to have a great career at Lewis".

Athletic and versatile, Tounise Jackson rounds out the players seated at the captains table. At 6'5" and 250 lbs., Jackson (from Hyde Park high school) is a forward with a strong presence inside and good leadership potential. He can play the one, the two, or the three spot according to Dildy and also can hurt a team from the outside.

The Statesman are currently 11-5 in Region IV Division I play. This included an enormous 80-69 victory recently over Indian Hills (Iowa), a nationally ranked powerhouse that features former Crane star Carl Marshall and Simeon star DaShawn Walker.


	WEB SPORTS CHICAGO \| home KENNEDY-KING STATESMEN 2005 \| Kennedy King story/photos Kennedy King story/photos Photos in three locations... 1 Steve Strong Sophomore Guard South Shore 2 Brandon Williams Freshman Forward Glenville(Cleveland Oh) 5 Joel Burnett Sophomore Guard Holy Cross 14 Tounise Jackson Sophomore Forward Hyde Park 20 Reginald Russell Freshman Forward Peoria Central 22 Andreo Harris Freshman Guard Riley(South Bend In.) 23 Steve Newson Freshman Guard Adams(South Bend In.) 24 Parish Brown Sophomore Guard Thornridge 31 Gregg Charles Sophomore Guard Thornton 41 Brandon Hamilton Sophomore Forward Mission Viejo(Long Beach Ca.) 44 Brandon Prince Sophomore Forward Riley(South Bend In.) 51 Uriah Rice Sophomore Guard Hales 55 Antoine Stewart Sophomore Center Harper HEAD COACH Garland Dildy ASSISTANT COACHES Antonio Ross Earl Poole By Michael Kosman (Chicago Il.) Perhaps even more so than at any high school around, the truest essence of organized team basketball can be found at the Juco's, and Chicago has plenty of those teams about. The j-u is for junior and the c-o is for college. What they are, hopefully for would-be basketball stars, is the first or sometimes middle step on their road to higher glory. Just like during their high school careers, players and coaches exhibit their skills mostly in small, poorly lit, nearly empty or half empty gyms. The competitive raw intensity remains intact, maybe even more so at this level, as ambitious players have so much more on the line. On Thursday January 13th, we visited one of these wondrous sites (at least for hoops junkies). Kennedy-King College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, and has always been recognized as a powerhouse and talent magnet in the NJCAA, as well as having a highly regarded reputation for graduating students (80%) to four year college programs elsewhere. Chicago area high school hoopers whose luck may have run out (for now) in securing a spot on a division two or three team, often look first to the Statesmen for a tryout and coveted selection to their team. In an effort to look inside these programs, often a haven for players we chronicled while in high school, we'll occasionally visit some of our area junior college programs. We'll look first at Kennedy-King, coached by Garland Dildy. Dildy is in his third year as head coach, after serving three years as an associate head coach under the late Willie Little. "Coach Little was my mentor", Dildy said after Thursdays loss to Kankakee. "He teached me how to deal with inner-city kids and how to prepare for games. He was an invaluable tutor". With his current squad, Dildy looks to his trifecta of team captains for leadership and ability. 6'1" 175 lbs. sophomore Parish Brown, from Thornridge high school, is currently attracting the most attention. Brown runs the team from the point, and credits Dildy's coaching with helping his game flourish. "His style of coaching plays to my strengths", responded Brown after Thursdays game. "We have an up tempo fast break style", added Dildy, "and Parish plays right into that. I look for him to graduate and enter a four year program at a mid level D1". Steve Strong, a sophomore guard (6'1" 175lbs.) from South Shore high school is headed for Lewis University in Joliet. Dildy has high praise for Strong, whose work ethics have improved immeasurably at Kennedy-King. "Steve has worked very hard not only on his work ethic but also on his academics", Dildy said. "He has turned a lot of that around so as to better himself. We think he has to get a little stronger but also believe he is going to have a great career at Lewis". Athletic and versatile, Tounise Jackson rounds out the players seated at the captains table. At 6'5" and 250 lbs., Jackson (from Hyde Park high school) is a forward with a strong presence inside and good leadership potential. He can play the one, the two, or the three spot according to Dildy and also can hurt a team from the outside. The Statesman are currently 11-5 in Region IV Division I play. This included an enormous 80-69 victory recently over Indian Hills (Iowa), a nationally ranked powerhouse that features former Crane star Carl Marshall and Simeon star DaShawn Walker.