Disabato: Moore, Ulis showcase point guard skills

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Bloom's Donald Moore (3) shoots over a Rich South defender. | Ray Luna~For Sun-Times Media

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Updated: January 30, 2012 10:22AM

The look of disappointment on Tyler Ulis’ face Tuesday night resembled that of a heartbreaking McDipper championship loss, not a second-round McDipper defeat.

But that type of emotional destruction occurs when you’re on the wrong end of a Marian Catholic-Bloom encounter. Not just in boys basketball, mind you, but in every athletic competition between the neighboring private-public schools.

Boys basketball bragging rights in Chicago Heights were at stake.

The Blazing Trojans won the battle Tuesday, claiming a 56-47 win over the Spartans.

I have a sneaky suspicion, however, if Bloom and Marian Catholic cross paths in future McDippers, a different look will appear on Ulis’ face — a look only a victory against the neighborhood rival could produce.

“He’s a real good player,” Bloom guard Donald Moore acknowledged of Ulis. “He’s really smooth with the ball. He’s an excellent ballhandler.”

Moore knows a good point guard when he sees one. All he has to do is look in the mirror.

In fact, when the Blazing Trojans were filing into their locker room after the win, coach Jasper Williams gave Moore a high-five before declaring to the awaiting media, “best point guard on the South Side.”

It would be difficult to argue Williams’ proclamation.

The No. 1 Blazing Trojans are 11-0 and Moore’s seasonlong performance is a major reason why. The 6-foot table-setter has developed into an unselfish, hard-working leader, one who is equally satisfied producing the game-winning shot or delivering the clinching assist. It’s taken Moore three years on the varsity to get to this point. Williams said the maturation process took longer than he anticipated.

“It’s all come together for Donald,” Williams said. “We thought it would have happened sooner. But he’s the leader of this team.”

There will come a time when Ulis will be regarded as the Southland’s best point guard. As far as handling the ball goes, he’s arguably the best there is right now.

He’s a magician with the rock. Behind the back, between the legs, crossing over opponents, all moves were on full display Tuesday and ultimately left a few Bloom defenders searching for their jockstraps.

Ulis’ dazzling moves evoked “oohs” and “aahs” on more than one occasion from the capacity crowd.

Equally impressive was his work ethic on the defensive end. The young man was relentless hawking Moore, who finished with 11 points, three rebounds and two assists.

“Tyler plays just as hard on both ends of the floor,” Marian Catholic coach Mike Taylor said of Ulis. “Ballhandling-wise and basketball IQ wise, I don’t see a smarter kid. He’s still young and he’s so unselfish. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

And fun to watch.

Ulis, at a generously listed 5-foot-8, reminds me a lot of former Hillcrest point guard Julius “Juice” Brown, now at the University of Toledo.

The major difference between the two is their shooting; not necessarily their ability to make shots — though Ulis had a 1-for-7 effort against Bloom and finished with nine points.

I’m referring to Ulis’ and Brown’s release points. Ulis chucks it from around his chin, which poses a problem. He either has to be wide open to get his shot off from the perimeter or he’s going to experience more rejections than the school nerd at prom.

Brown, similar in size to Ulis, releases the ball from nearly behind his head. His shot is impossible to block, unless a defender is coming from his backside.

“Tyler had a tough night shooting and is going through a little shooting funk,” Taylor said.

Ulis is a tremendous talent who will be fun to watch develop the next two years, similar to watching Moore develop into the force he is today.