Brother Rice duo choose St. Ambrose

Davenport, Iowa - Coach Ray Shovlain is excited to announce the signing of Mike Kennedy and Sean O'Reilly for the 2008-09 season. The tandem from Brother Rice led the Crusaders to a 20-10 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Chicago Catholic South League.

Kennedy, a 6'6 power forward, and O'Reilly, a 6'0 point guard, were named All Catholic League All-Conference this past season. Both Kennedy and O'Reilly left their imprints in the Brother Rice record books before joining the Fighting Bees.

Mike Kennedy had one of the best overall seasons in Brother Rice history. Kennedy averaged 18.7 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game during his senior campaign. His scoring average is the seventh best in Brother Rice history and he tied the record for best rebounding average. Kennedy set the mark for most rebounds in a season (328), including the most offensive rebounds (115) and defensive rebounds (213) in a season.

Kennedy is just one of only two players in Brother Rice history to score in double figures in every single game. He holds the school record for most double-doubles with 21 in the 2007-08 season. Kennedy ranks third all-time in rebounds (466), tenth all-time in free throws made in a career (133) and 13th all-time in 3pt field goals per game average (1.62).

Kennedy led his team in scoring, rebounding and free throws made for the 2007-08 season and was named the team's Most Valuable Player. He was an All-State selection his senior year and is rated in the top 100 players in Illinois by the City/Suburban Hoops Report

While Kennedy dominated the inside game, Sean O'Reilly was a deadly threat from the perimeter. O'Reilly led his team in three pointers made in each of his three seasons at Brother Rice. O'Reilly set the school record for most consecutive games with a made three point field goal (32) and holds the record for most three pointers made in a career (195). He tied the record for most three point field goals in a game when he knocked in 10 threes against Riverside Brookfield in 2007.

O'Reilly made the third most three pointers in a season (79) in 2005-06 and ranks second in career three pointers made per game (2.44).

Besides being a stellar three point shooter, O'Reilly has had impressive numbers in every major statistical category. He ranks seventh in career scoring (896 points), 11th in career free throws made (123),12th in career rebounding (313), 12th in career assists (194), 17th in career steals (64) and has the fifth best free throw percentage in a season (86.0%).

"Both Mike and Sean had outstanding careers at Brother Rice High School as evidenced by all of their accomplishments," Coach Ray Shovlain said. "Sean brings with him critical ball-handling skills as well as being an outstanding shooter from the outside. Mike is a tremendous inside-outside player and brings a lot of versatility to our team."

"Coach Richardson (Brother Rice's head basketball coach) has provided us with great players over the years and these two will be great additions for us," Coach Shovlain said.