Sears Appliance & Hardware Athlete of the Week: Devin Blake

Devin Blake

Downers Grove North

Junior

Boys basketball

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Why Blake was selected: Blake led the Trojans with 15 points in the championship game of the Romeoville Christmas Classic, powering Downers Grove North to a holiday tournament title and earning the tournament MVP honors.

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Devin Blake’s versatility was on full display at the Romeoville Christmas Classic. The junior swing forward netted 15 points in the championship game against Oak Forest, knocking down shots from inside the key and beyond the arc and leading the Trojans to a 51-49 victory. Blake, the Sears Appliance & Hardware Athlete of the Week, spoke with Suburban Life sports editor Alex Soulier about being named tournament MVP and maintaining momentum in the second half of the season.

Soulier: How does it feel to not only win the Romeoville Christmas Classic, but be the tournament MVP?

Blake: It feels great, especially coming off a stretch in which we lost three in a row. So it’s nice to come in here an win it all and defeat last year’s tournament champs.

Soulier: Have you ever been named MVP of a holiday tournament before?

Blake: No, this is my first one; it’s a really great honor.

Soulier: You scored 14 of your 15 points in the first half. What was the key to your hot start?

Blake: I felt really focused tonight. I had a chance to do some extra shooting before the game and really find my shot. I just wanted to help my team in any way possible tonight and I was able to get some open looks and knock down some shots in the first half.

Soulier: Do you think this is a turning point for your team?

Blake: I think so. Getting Dave Edwards back [from an injury] gives us a good inside presence. Hopefully this is when we turn the season around and continue this run in the second half of the season.