The 2014-15 Season Tips-Off

The "Dream Team" (Lt to Rt: Chris Haig, Dave Brown, and Mike Newell)

The 2014-15 Basketball Season is officially underway and 

the NRP Score-Table "Dream Team" is poised and ready for duty!

The 10th Annual Battle at the Ridge Thanksgiving Tournament launched with a hard-fought game between Maine East and Vernon Hills.  The Cougars of Vernon Hills edged the Blue Demons of Maine East 63-53.

The NRP Knights host Juarez Academy in tomorrow night's second season opener.

Former Knights Captain, Mike Kane, Visits Open Gym

Mike Kane makes a surprise visit to NRP to see his former 'mates at an open gym.  Mike was a starter, senior captain, and key member of the 2014 Knights' IHSA Class 2A Regional Championship squad.  Known for his relentless defensive energy and "clutch plays" under pressure, Mike is currently attending Harper CC.  He has his eyes set on an eventual transfer to IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology) to pursue a degree in Computer Programming.

Great to see you, Mike!

"The Tradition Continues: Once a Knight, Always a Knight!"

Mike (front row, 3rd from left) and his former Knights Basketball teammates

Former Knights Captain, Steve Leazer, now a Billiken!

The Billikens were a Top 20 team last year as they made their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division I Tournament.  The Billikens are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Steve and Billikens head coach, Jim Crews, during a break in the action at the Chaifetz Arena -- Chaifetz is an on-campus arena that seats 10,600 fans. 

Steve on defense during a practice scrimmage.

Steve was the Knights Captain during the 2013-14 season and led the team to a strong 20-8 record, an IHSA Regional Championship, and a 2nd Place Conference finish.  He was also an IBCA All-State Special Mention Selection, 1st Team All-Conference, and All-Tournament at "The Battle at the Ridge."

Bo Knows

"To me, no coach in America asks a man to make any sacrifice; rather, we do the opposite. We ask men to live clean, come clean, think clean; and to stop doing the things that would destroy him physically, morally, and mentally."

Bo Schembechler
University of Michigan Football Coaching Legend

Welcome Back To The NRP Hoops Blog!

The Basketball Knights have been hard at work this summer honing their skills for what they expect will be another successful season.  

Besides playing against top-notch Chicago-area competition in a local summer league, the Knights traveled to shoot-outs at Purdue University and the University of Evansville to compete against the best programs in the Hoosier state and 
in southern Illinois.

An oft-heard motto at NRP is: 

"Northridge Basketball is not about the scoreboard; it's about growing up!"

This axiom never rings truer than it does during the"Summer Season" when our time together is focused on skill refinement, challenging ourselves against outstanding opponents, and gaining the experience necessary to build a cohesive team that performs at its best when it counts the most -- during the regular season.

Once again this summer, the Knights utilized their 25 contact days to work together as a team as well as to engage in individual skill workout sessions with their coaches.

Throughout the coming weeks, we will post Knights Basketball updates along with useful information to help you continue preparing for the upcoming school year and basketball season.

Welcome Back, Knights!!