Big Sean’s “Moves” blared over the Kenwood sound system as the No. 18 Broncos took the floor for their season opener against Farragut on Thursday.
While every Chicagoland basketball pundit, NBC Sports Chicago included, has some combination of Curie, Morgan Park, Orr, Simeon and Whitney Young in their current top five, Kenwood is a bit of an unknown entering the 2017-18 season.
City basketball fans spent most of the week buzzing about the top-five matchup between Curie and Orr. Kenwood made its own statement in the "undercard" of that clash earlier on Thursday evening. The Broncos dismantled a talented Farragut team, 67-41, using a very impressive second half to run away from the Admirals.
Based on Thursday's performance, it might be smart to listen to Big Sean. Kenwood has the moves. Now the Broncos are hoping to make a move up the rankings and be mentioned among the Public League’s top teams.
“I think we’re a little under the radar, Kenwood senior Nas Turner said. “People, they’re sleeping on us because we lost a lot of seniors. I feel like with our senior leadership with me, Pat [McKenzie], R.J. [McGee], I feel like we’re ready.”
The 6-foot-5 Turner had an outstanding opening game for Kenwood. The long and versatile forward did damage on both ends without forcing too much. Scoring from multiple levels, finishing tip dunks and defending all over the floor, the uncommitted Turner had an eye-opening performance that put him firmly on the All-Area radar.
“[I tell him] just be active,” Kenwood head coach Marlo Finner said. “He’s 6-5. He’s probably the best athlete in the state. I told him to keep staying aggressive because nobody can jump with you.”
Turner finished with 17 points and six rebounds, defending every position on the floor for the Broncos. Some possessions, Turner used his length at the top of a zone to make life difficult for Farragut’s guards to make entry passes. During others, Turner defended near the rim and was masked as a help defender. And when Kenwood felt it was necessary, they put Turner man-to-man on Farragut’s talented guards, Aaron and Reggie Strong, taking away primary scoring options for the Admirals.
“Coach wants me all over the floor. He wants me to be active and use my length to my advantage; throw defenders off,” Turner said. “I can stick a one through a five so he uses that to my advantage and to our team’s advantage. He’s helping us get runs, steals, fast-break points. That’s what we want."
“I can trap with him. I can disguise him. He’s a great luxury to have,” Finner said of Turner.
Turner, who only has scholarship offers from Kent State and Lewis, is a potential breakout player for Kenwood this season as his unique gifts allow the Broncos to show a number of unique defensive looks.
Other than Turner, Kenwood has plenty of options. Junior point guard Artese Stapleton lived up to his positive preseason billing as he finished with 17 points and five assists, showing considerably more poise with the ball in his hands than he did during the summer.
“He always had the skill set,” Finner said of Stapleton. “Now, the strength, the maturity, the confidence [has improved]. He’s gonna be a tough guard. I’m excited for him this year.”
“Artese is showing up big, Turner said. “He’s one of our top leaders and he’s able to control the pace of the game.”
McGee is another weapon that Kenwood can use for scoring pop while junior twins Andrew and Elijah Stewart also showed flashes of strong play on both ends. Not many teams in Illinois have the across-the-board length and athleticism that Kenwood can throw at an opponent.
First impressions aside, the Broncos still need to be more consistent with perimeter shooting. Kenwood also has to make sure a third scorer steps up to help Stapleton and Turner. And playing in the ridiculously loaded Public League Red-South/Central could pose challenges for a team that is still somewhat young and inexperienced by Public League standards.
But the Public League is starving for a second tier of teams to compete with the top five challengers. Based on Thursday's season opener, the Broncos have the look of a dangerous team this season.
“This game meant a lot. We’re a young team,” Finner said. “But this is a good young group, so I’m excited.”