Ikee Brooks is well aware of how large a shadow his twin brother casts for Rich Township — both literally and figuratively. Al Jr., a 6-foot-7 senior forward, is the Raptors’ superstar and a high-major college recruit who hopes to get his name in the race for the Mr. Basketball award given to the state’s top player. Ikee, a 5-10 senior guard, certainly has far fewer eyes on him, but he’s confident he can be exactly the kind of player Rich Township needs him to be. “Sometimes, I do feel a bit overshadowed,” Ikee said. “But I just try to stay positive about it. I try to go out there and do my thing and show what I can do to help my team win. “I’m not trying to ride any coattails, even my twin brother.” Ikee was a major difference-maker all over the court Friday night. He scored nine points and was constantly disruptive on defense, finishing with five steals and five rebounds to help the Raptors pull away late for a 60-44 Southland Conference win over host Crete-Monee. Jamson Coulter scored 16 points and Jayden Williams followed with 15 to lead Rich Township (13-4, 5-0), which won its 10th straight game. Al Brooks Jr. added 10 points and seven rebounds. Jaylen Blakes led Crete-Monee (15-7, 3-3) with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Christian Giles scored eight points, while Robert Kennedy and Zyheir Gardner chipped in with six points apiece. Rich Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) converts a breakaway layup against Crete-Monee during a Southland Conference game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown) Much like his brother, Ikee Brooks was a major scorer last season at Hansberry. After transferring to Rich Township, Ikee has had to take on a different role, focusing more on the little things. “I’m just trying to be the point guard the team needs,” Ikee said. “It’s not like at Hansberry where I was scoring 20 points in a game. And that’s good with me. “I’m trying to set my teammates up, rebound, and I’ll get my points when they come to me.” Rich Township assistant coach Mark Lester is thankful Ikee has that mindset. “When you have a roster loaded with talent and some potential Division I guys, you need everyone else to buy in to what their role is going to be,” Lester said. “We’ve gotten that from Ikee and we’ve gotten that from other guys. “Ikee is a really scrappy player. He plays tough defense. He gets rebounds. He does a lot of what it takes to win.” Rich Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) races with Crete-Monee’s Zyheir Gardner (4) during a Southland Conference game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown) The Raptors had a hard time putting away Crete-Monee in the first three quarters. The Warriors played their typical tough defense, and Coulter and Al Brooks Jr. struggled offensively early. Ikee Brooks provided two key baskets in the third quarter, however, and came up with two more steals that led to easy scores for his teammates. Rich Township led 41-34 after three quarters and pulled away in the fourth as Coulter found his groove, scoring seven points. Al Brooks Jr. was not surprised to see Ikee spark the Raptors. “Ikee brings a lot to our team,” Al said. “He’s our point guard. He gets me open. He played great (Friday). He had some big steals, scored some points and he really got us going.” Crete-Monee’s Jaylen Blakes (0) boxes out Rich Township’s Ikee Brooks (1) during a Southland Conference game in Crete on Friday, Jan..17, 2025. (John Smierciak / Daily Southtown) At Hansberry, the Brooks twins would typically outscore everyone and Al Jr.’s shot-blocking took the defensive pressure off Ikee. But Ikee has made the defensive end a major priority for this season. “I had to lock in on ‘D’ this year,” Ikee said. “I play 94 feet of defense. I try to force turnovers that can set us up for easy points. That’s what you saw (Friday).” Ikee constantly hears questions about how could he be nine inches shorter than his twin. But he plays big. “I think about that all the time,” Ikee said. “I definitely wish I could have gotten some of that height. But it is what it is. I just have to be me.”