Subscribe with this special offer to keep reading, (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). [Flowers] has the passion, Smith said. Simeon's Smith, Vashon's Irons bonded over basketball. Smiths debut as a high school coach in December 2004 is one of the citys legendary high school basketball moments it also was Derrick Roses debut. Smiths program produced multiple NBA players: Rose, Jabari Parker, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and more. Oswego East has been a fixture in the top 25 all season and settled in as the No. It probably will later. Smith's current Simeon squad is right near the top of the state rankings again and certainly have a shot to compete for another championship. And beat the likes of Joliet West, Kenwood and others along the way? But he wanted me to be successful, he wanted me to get off to a good start. No. Deon Thomas, who did not play organized basketball until high school, became No. A 2.8 at Simeon isn`t the same as a 2.8 at Crystal Lake South,'' Jackson says. Wilson was regarded as the top high school player in the country by many coaches and scouts. 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 . On 2/28, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) by a score of 50-42. "If it weren't for basketball and Bob Hambric, I would have been lost to the gangs," Thomas Price, a reserve guard, told the Tribune in 1984. This was all accomplished with one of the current top five senior prospects in the country, 6-9 Matas Buzelis, leaving the Hinsdale Central program following his sophomore year. On 2/11, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Kenwood (Chicago, IL) by a score of 72-64. 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. Smith, who is Simeons athletic director, will hand the head-coaching job over to Flowers, Roses good friend and former teammate. We talk to each other at least two or three times a week. He looks after so many, both the high-profile ones and those looking for a small college opportunity. Were talking six state championships and four other top four finishes at state that earned state trophies. He decided to return to Simeon instead and watched the Ramblers head to the Final Four. Earlier today I was thinking about games I played in before and all the seasons Ive coached.. "He upstarted my career on a national level, because he was a top five player in the country and everybody wanted to see," Smith said. Simeon coach Robert Smith watches as the Wolverines play Kenwood. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. But Velasquez, who is 131-31 in the past six seasons, worked a pair of transfers into the mix and kept the Wolves humming. Illinois high school football playoff brackets, schedule, computer rankings, statewide stat leaders and scores - live and final. Simeon Career Academy High School boys' basketball head coach Robert Smith is one of the co-founders of the Chicago Elite Classic. The lost talent and the timing of it would cripple most teams. In that time hes guided Chicagos Wolverines to seven city championships and a state-record six state championships. His team buckled down defensively in overtime, not allowing Kenwood a field goal. On 2/9, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their away conference game against Curie (Chicago, IL) by a score of 64-60. Wolverine Mens Basketball Mr. Robert Smith Head Coach [email protected] 773.535.3200 Mr. Fred McClinton Sophomore Coach . The best teams are analyzed and the top players . A big brother with a resume thats second to none in the basketball-mad state of Illinois. Most of the time, we worked on our weaknesses. PF 1119 PA 1294 STREAK 1L. The Blue Demons were led by thirty-sixth year head coach Doug Bruno and played their home games at the Wintrust Arena . The Red Devils have nearly always been competitive under Latorre. Then Simeon failed to score on its last possession. CHICAGO (CBS) The most successful boys high school basketball coach in Illinois history is getting set to step down. "I respect him and his family for trusting me. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not . Led the Tigers to a 28-5 record heading into the Class 4A sectional final. On January 24, 2023, Simeon Coach Robert Smith made history, securing his 500th career win in boys high school basketball. Vashon made it moot as it pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 56-46 win over Simeon in the OFallon Shootout on Saturday at the Panther Dome on the campus of OFallon High. In the 1990s, Mr. Hambric put together a stretch of 10 straight 20-win seasons. OVERALL 8-3 0.73 Win % CONFERENCE 4-2 0.67 Win % HOME 3-1 AWAY 2-1 NEUTRAL 3-1. Mr. Hambric, 69, died of cancer on Friday, said Marque Riley, Simeon athletic director. The retiring coach, who has won a record seven city titles and six state championships, was faced with the prospect of a humiliating collapse in his final Public League game. Meet the Team. Smith went out on top, at least in the Public League. But there are teams, on paper, with more talent than Simeon, and Smith continues to always be able to navigate and right a ship just perfectly. 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. "It was like a chess match; he'd put the right pieces in the right places to be successful.". In that scenario, with his high school teammate and best friend, Nick Anderson, at his side, Wilson surely would have flourished at that level. Hurley is the father of former Duke guard Bobby Hurley, and Bobby is one of 150 players from St. Anthony to play Division I basketball. Girls Bowling Head Coach: Glenda Dunson [email protected]. On 2/3, the Simeon varsity basketball team won their home non-conference game against Clark (Chicago, IL) by a score of 78-41. Other future NBA players to play under Smith include Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn of the Los Angeles Lakers. "To go out on top?" Despite the loss of Wilson, Simeon returned to Champaign and the state tournament in the spring of 1985 before losing in the quarterfinals. Chicago Simeon opened with a 16-12 advantage over Moline through the . Simeon coach Robert Smith watches as the Wolverines play Kenwood. "I thought it was cross-country," Bankston said. All the best players wanted to come to Simeon because of Coach Rob, Parker said. Membership Options Live Broadcasts Current Stats Media requests Photo Galleries SmugMug Photos Athletic Director Podcasts Basketball Podcast with Coach Noszka Coach's Corner Podcast . Coach Robert Smiths farewell tour took a step closer to the Illinois High School Association state finals in Champaign as Simeon eased past Mount Carmel 70-47 on Friday in the final of the Class 3A Glenbard South Sectional. Senior Wes Rubin sealed it with a dunk and Simeon beat Kenwood 72-64 at Credit Union 1 Arena to win the city title. He was set to have a successful NBA career, but that never happened because he was killed while he was in high school. Simeon never had a losing season during Smith's tenure as Smith amassed a record of 480-92 with six state championships and seven Public League titles in 18 seasons. 1 and just recently capped off the regular season with a city championship. They previously played in the 2020 Highland Shootout, with Vashon scoring an 80-71 win. Roundup of Missouri boys basketball postseason games based on stats reported by each team. We are going to keep our eyes on the prize. Simeon wins the city title. Guards Sam Lewis and Jalen Griffith each scored 11. Lawmakers and others should not seek to undo laws meant to protect people from gun violence. He is survived by a son, Robert Jr.; a daughter, Robyn; and a brother, Arthur. The Hawks are competing and playing as a cohesive group under Houston and are the top seed in their own Class 3A sectional. / CBS Chicago. 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 . Smith added that he has his own kids playing sports and after spending his "whole life with other people's kids," he wants to spend more time with his kids. Simeon coach Robert Smith, the most successful boys high school basketball coach in state history, will retire after next season. Hynes, a Marist graduate who was an assistant under former coach Gene Nolan from 2007-2018, has revitalized the program. File Photo by Kirsten Stickney. Smith was always handing out compliments to the very few teams that did manage to beat his and to players that deserved it. Simeon carries themselves the right way. That's what makes it so special. Mr. Hambric, 69, died . This is the second title-game appearance for the Broncos, who lost to Simeon in 2016 as well. I always tell people that [legendary Simeon coach Bob Hambric] could have stayed and coached those guys and won more titles himself. 3 - Kray Rogers - 6-2 - Jr. - 14.3 2 - Jaxon Willits - 6-0 - Sr. - 11.6 22 - Blayke Nunn - 6-2 . Saturdays win was the second time Vashon and Irons bested Smith and Simeon. Watch online from home or on the go. 2: Jalen Griffith . But with a legendary coach like Smith, its so much more than the immediate retirement or why hes calling it a career. That's about as much as Robert Smith celebrates, he isn't the jumping around type. Richard Barron led St. Ignatius to 50-43 victory against Fenwick. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Robert Smith swore there was a jump ball. 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. Smith has been head coach at Simeon for over 19 years, succeeding the legendary Bob Hambric and has coached NBA stars such as Derrick Rose, Jabari Parker, Talen Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn and more. The AAU circuit is seen as a chance of opportunity for high school players to play on traveling teams at national tournaments and gain exposure in front of top college coaches. A rock solid senior group, which included four key players, departed. Sport *Dante Culbreath (head) Football *Dennis Butler . Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. We only watched film when it was necessary. Name: Simeon High School City: Chicago City Population: 3 Million County: Cook Enrollment: 1638 Nickname: Wolverines Colors: Blue/Gold Conference: Chicago Public League CEO: Arne Duncan Director of Sports Administration Chicago Public S: Calvin Davis Principal: Tamara Sterling Boys Athletic Director: Melvin L. Dillard, Jr. Head Coach: Robert Smith Assistant Coaches: James Farr, Leonard Thomas . HOME 3-7 AWAY 3-5 NEUTRAL 5-5. How about 480 wins and just 92 losses and likely another 25-plus victories coming next year? Key Illinois high school boys basketball games, state tournament brackets, computer rankings, stat leaders, schedules & scores - live & final. Smiths early success at Simeon attracted the citys best players. Despite ample legal trouble, Sizemore had steady film and television credits. Simeon head coach Robert Smith looking on during the 2019 IHSA Class 4A Super-Sectional title game. February 8, 2023 / 7:41 PM What a breakout season its been for Marist basketball and Hynes. 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. Simeon coach Robert Smith carries the state championship trophy at a pep rally in 2011. Getting the kids to college was always very important.. That resonated with his players and assistant coaches. But thats what having a seasoned pro on the bench will do for you. The Trevians are 27-4 heading into this weeks Central Suburban League regular-season finale with Niles North. Mr. Hambric grew up on the South Side and played basketball at the old Parker High School. Competing against coaches like [Youngs] Tyrone Slaughter, Mike Oliver at Curie and Nick Irvin [at Morgan Park] just gave us a different vibe, Smith said. Vashon played Chicago Simeon in the OFallon Shootout at OFallon High School in OFallon, IL on Saturday February 4, 2023. . [Smith] deserved it, Griffith said. He checked off the final box on his coaching to-do list with the Wolverines' win over Brooks, Smith's 500th win as a head coach. Simeon (Chicago) head coach Robert Smith plans to retire following the 2022-23 season after one of the most successful high school basketball runs in state history, . The GOAT retires: A look back at the legacy of Simeon basketball coach Robert Smith This retirement is about all that Robert Smith has meant to the sport and, specifically, Public League basketball. Simeon High School . Just four high school coaches are in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. He led the program to new heights, beginning with to back-to-back Class AA state championships led by Rose in 2006 and 2007. Miles and Wes Rubin, 6-8 twins, will be joined by talented guards Jalen Griffith and Michael Ratliff. The fall following his championship season, Mr. Hambric had to deal with the slaying of his center and the top prep player in the nation, Ben Wilson, who was fatally shot near Simeon. When rival coach and now friend Tyrone Slaughter of Young heard the news, he didnt hesitate in making a bold statement. Senior Wes Rubin sealed it with a dunk and Simeon beat Kenwood 72-64 at Credit Union 1 Arena to win the city title . "He had a great understanding of the game," said Tim Bankston, whose 25 points and 12 rebounds helped Simeon to the 1984 state Class AA championship over Evanston Township High School. a future NBA Most Valuable Player who made Simeon the first Chicago Public League School team to win back-to-back state championships. Whether it was colleagues in the coaching business, including high school coaches who were beaten by him or college coaches recruiting his players, the respect was palpable. The Metamora High School boys basketball team earned its first trip to the state finals in school history with a Class 3A super-sectional victory over Wheaton St. Francis on Monday night in Ottawa. Simeon coach Robert Smith and senior Jabari Parker embrace after winning the state championship in 2013. All rights reserved. There was a problem saving your notification. Wilson is noted as the first Chicago athlete to receive . The highly-successful and respected Houston didnt miss a beat. Photos by @acphoto22. But we are going to win a state championship. Boys Basketball *Corey Bradford. Hes probably the only person that has a winning record against me, Smith said with a smile. The Role of the AAU. We came out here and accomplished our goal. But there are so many coaches who have already helped their teams exceed preseason predictions or reach the high expectations placed on them. And thats not even because of all the wins and titles which are obvious. Latorre has led this senior-dominated group to the best season the program has had in 25 years.