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HomeWorld NewsAlongside heralded twin brother, Ikee Brooks handles level for Wealthy Township. And...

Alongside heralded twin brother, Ikee Brooks handles level for Wealthy Township. And he will get it. ‘I simply should be me.’

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Ikee Brooks is properly conscious of how giant a shadow his twin brother casts for Wealthy Township — each actually and figuratively.

Al Jr., a 6-foot-7 senior ahead, is the Raptors’ celebrity and a high-major faculty recruit who hopes to get his title within the race for the Mr. Basketball award given to the state’s prime participant.

Ikee, a 5-10 senior guard, actually has far fewer eyes on him, however he’s assured he will be precisely the form of participant Wealthy Township wants him to be.

“Generally, I do really feel a bit overshadowed,” Ikee mentioned. “However I simply attempt to keep optimistic about it. I attempt to go on the market and do my factor and present what I can do to assist my group win.

“I’m not making an attempt to journey any coattails, even my twin brother.”

Ikee was a serious difference-maker everywhere in the court docket Friday evening. He scored 9 factors and was always disruptive on protection, ending with 5 steals and 5 rebounds to assist the Raptors draw back late for a 60-44 Southland Convention win over host Crete-Monee.

Jamson Coulter scored 16 factors and Jayden Williams adopted with 15 to steer Wealthy Township (13-4, 5-0), which gained its tenth straight sport. Al Brooks Jr. added 10 factors and 7 rebounds.

Jaylen Blakes led Crete-Monee (15-7, 3-3) with 16 factors and 10 rebounds. Christian Giles scored eight factors, whereas Robert Kennedy and Zyheir Gardner chipped in with six factors apiece.

Rich Township's Ikee Brooks, puts up a break away lay up against Crete-Monee during a basketball game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025 (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Wealthy Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) converts a breakaway layup towards Crete-Monee throughout a Southland Convention sport in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Each day Southtown)

Very like his brother, Ikee Brooks was a serious scorer final season at Hansberry. After transferring to Wealthy Township, Ikee has needed to tackle a distinct function, focusing extra on the little issues.

“I’m simply making an attempt to be the purpose guard the group wants,” Ikee mentioned. “It’s not like at Hansberry the place I used to be scoring 20 factors in a sport. And that’s good with me.

“I’m making an attempt to set my teammates up, rebound, and I’ll get my factors after they come to me.”

Wealthy Township assistant coach Mark Lester is grateful Ikee has that mindset.

“When you may have a roster loaded with expertise and a few potential Division I guys, you want everybody else to purchase in to what their function goes to be,” Lester mentioned. “We’ve gotten that from Ikee and we’ve gotten that from different guys.

“Ikee is a very scrappy participant. He performs robust protection. He will get rebounds. He does plenty of what it takes to win.”

Rich Township's Ikee Brooks, left, guards Crete-Monee's Zyheir Gardner, center, during a basketball game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025 (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Wealthy Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) races with Crete-Monee’s Zyheir Gardner (4) throughout a Southland Convention sport in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Each day Southtown)

The Raptors had a tough time placing away Crete-Monee within the first three quarters. The Warriors performed their typical robust protection, and Coulter and Al Brooks Jr. struggled offensively early.

Ikee Brooks offered two key baskets within the third quarter, nonetheless, and got here up with two extra steals that led to simple scores for his teammates.

Wealthy Township led 41-34 after three quarters and pulled away within the fourth as Coulter discovered his groove, scoring seven factors.

Al Brooks Jr. was not shocked to see Ikee spark the Raptors.

“Ikee brings rather a lot to our group,” Al mentioned. “He’s our level guard. He will get me open. He performed nice (Friday). He had some massive steals, scored some factors and he actually acquired us going.”

Crete-Monee's Jaylen Blakes, right, boxes in Rich Township's Ikee Brooks, right, as they wait for a rebound during a basketball game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025 (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown)
Crete-Monee’s Jaylen Blakes (0) bins out Wealthy Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) throughout a Southland Convention sport in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Each day Southtown)

At Hansberry, the Brooks twins would usually outscore everybody and Al Jr.’s shot-blocking took the defensive strain off Ikee.

However Ikee has made the defensive finish a serious precedence for this season.

“I needed to lock in on ‘D’ this yr,” Ikee mentioned. “I play 94 toes of protection. I attempt to power turnovers that may set us up for straightforward factors. That’s what you noticed (Friday).”

Ikee always hears questions on how might he be 9 inches shorter than his twin.

However he performs massive.

“I take into consideration that on a regular basis,” Ikee mentioned. “I positively want I might have gotten a few of that peak. However it’s what it’s. I simply should be me.”

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