15th Annual Mayors Goodwill Classic a Slam Dunk in 2016

LISLE, IL. Walker Athletics welcomed in the New Year by hosting the 15th annual Mayor’s Goodwill Classic basketball tournament. On January 24th, 2016, a record-breaking number of fans poured into the multi-sport facility to support the local 8th grade boys and girls junior high school teams participating in the long-standing tradition. Many of the local schools are in separate conferences and do not have the opportunity to play each other. The Mayor’s Goodwill Classic brings local schools under one roof for good basketball, school spirit and friendly rivalries.

The Mayor’s Goodwill Classic celebrated a milestone 15th year running in 2016 and what better way to commemorate than to add four new names to the record book? In the girls bracket India Lucas (Glen Crest), Grace Wallner (Glen Crest) and Franchesca Metz (O’Neil) all tied the tournament record set in 2011 for most 3-pointers in a single game connecting on two from long-range. In the boys bracket, Jake Dimovski (Jefferson) was immortalized in the record book after connecting on nine 3-pointers over the course of the tournament. This feat tied the record set in 2005 for most 3-pointers in a tournament.

Adding to the excitement, the championship round featured a clash between two highly competitive teams in both the boys and girls divisions.

The 2016 championship round welcomed two newcomers to the girls division. Teams from Romeoville and Bartlett stepped into the spotlight and did not disappoint. The first half began with a flurry of scoring lead by Romeoville’s Audrey Alexa who scored 5 points in the opening minutes. Alexa lead the way for the Lightning who opened up an early lead. Also fueling the team was tournament MVP Marissa Trabl (13 total points) and All-Tournament team player Jenna Speitzer (7 total points). However, Bartlett was prepared to battle and closed the first half on a scoring run. Emily Dziengel lead the way by relentlessly attacking the basket and notched 4 out of 6 free throws in the first half alone. Inspired by her teammate’s play, Bartlett’s All-Tournament team player Amanda Mein chipped in 6 points of her own (10 total points). Mein also dished out a number of impressive assists to teammates like Belle Coates who scored 4 first half points for the Hawks. After an impressive first half Bartlett went into halftime leading 22-21. The game proved to be a tale of two halves. The lead traveled back-and-forth between the teams in a second half dominated by defense. Alongside Mein, Bartlett’s All-Tournament team player Alena Anderson tallied 3 second half points to keep things close. Romeoville’s dynamic duo of Trabl and Speitzer kept pace scoring a combined 11 of the team’s 14 second half points. Ultimately, Trabl and Speitzer proved too much to handle. At the final buzzer, it was Romeoville who hoisted the 2016 championship trophy. The final score: Romeoville 35 - Bartlett 31.

The girls All-Tournament team included: Tournament MVP Marissa Trabl (Romeoville), Amanda Mein (Bartlett), Alena Anderson (Bartlett), Jenna Speitzer (Romeoville), India Lucas (Glen Crest), Franchesca Metz (O’Neil), and Sportsmanship Award Erin Ganschow (Jefferson).

After powering their way through bracket play, the boys championship game was a matchup between two titans. With the fans cheering and excitement in the air, the boys championship game between Burr Ridge and Eisenhower was ready to tip-off. Burr Ridge jumped out to an early lead dominated by Tournament MVP Chamil McGee who tallied the team’s first seven points of the game on his way to 12 first half points. Burr Ridge’s Jamir Truman followed McGee’s lead and went on a 5 point run of his own. The game appeared to be well in hand when All-Tournament team player Aaron Tims (20 total points) threw down a monster, fast-break dunk prompting Eisenhower to take a timeout. After settling the troops, Eisenhower came out with a new sense of urgency. Jordan McDaniels, Quinton Donaldson, and All-Tournament team player Marquese Garrett found their shooting touch from three-point range and poured in five first half threes to cut into the deficit. At the half Eisenhower, led by Garrett’s 9 first half points, found themselves trailing 27 – 42. After intermission Eisenhower continued their comeback effort behind McDaniels’ 9 points (17 total points) which included a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Helping with the effort was his trusty sidekick Donaldson who tallied 6 second half points and 13 for the game. However, Burr Ridge refused to be upset. All-Tournament team player Jason Williams scored 6 of his 11 points in the second half and MVP McGee never let up scoring another 10 points (22 total points) to seal the deal and take home the 2016 Mayor’s Goodwill Tournament trophy for the second time in school history. The final score: Burr Ridge 68 – Eisenhower 46.

The boys All-Tournament team included: Tournament MVP Chamil McGee (Burr Ridge), Aaron Tims (Burr Ridge), Jason Williams (Burr Ridge), Marquese Garrett (Eisenhower), Jake Dimovski (Jefferson), Justan Japlon (Herrick), and Sportsmanship Award Max Marcionetti (Wrampage).

Championship awards were presented by Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully in the goodwill tradition of this annual tournament. Thank you to Mayor Martin Tully, Downers Grove North Head Coach Jim Thomas and the DGN boys basketball players, Briggs Paving, Dave Parkinson and Walker Athletics for their support and continued contributions. A special thank you to all middle school players, coaches, parents, spectators and volunteers whose support made the 15th anniversary an amazing event!