North Shore basketball is full of competitors, but it is still a small world. On Jan. 14, 2025, Evanston faced Niles North at the Vikings’ gymnasium. But if you looked at the matchup scheduled before game time or checked the final score after the last buzzer, you might think to yourself, “It’s just another high school basketball game.” But it’s more than that. It’s greater than players shooting a ball into a basket and going back to defend. Sports have more to it than point-scoring: the emotion, the tension, the competitive drive to win, the battle for teammates, and, certainly, the lore. The lore between opposing teams, the lore between two players: Kaidan Chatham and Yaris Irby.
From walking the same high school hallways to competing against each other on a big stage in front of family and friends, Chatham and Irby have a distinct story. Irby, a Niles North guard, attended ETHS as a freshman in 2021-22. A phenomenal guard for Evanston, his ball-handling, quick moves to confuse defenders, and playmaking ability to create open looks for teammates led the Wildkits to finish 21-10 and place third in conference play. After the season, Irby decided to make a change, taking his academic career and basketball talents to Niles North for his sophomore year.
On the other side of the small North Shore world was Chatham, a lengthy, athletic guard who could defend and score. Both sophomores, Chatham and Irby teamed up for the 2022-23 season. Along with Niles North guard Rield Olson, they formed an elite backcourt, helping the Vikings improve from 20-8 overall and 7-3 in conference play in 2021-22 to 25-8 overall and 9-1 in conference in 2022-23.
The spring of 2024 came around, and Chatham faced a decision: stay with Irby and the Vikings, coming off a 24-8, 10-0 conference record in 2023-24, or transfer to ETHS and play under head coach Mike Ellis. With Chatham’s family moving to Evanston, he chose to become a Wildkit, donning the navy blue, orange, and white threads for his senior year. Chatham had attended Niles North from his freshman through junior years, solidifying himself as one of the Vikings’ most prominent players.
Fast forward to Jan. 14, 2025, and there Irby and Chatham were. At center court, wearing opposing jerseys – both of which the other had once worn – and facing off until the final buzzer. Evanston vs. Niles North.
The matchup was highly anticipated by the Vikings, Wildkits, and neutral spectators, hence the roaring crowd before tipoff. Evanston possessed the tipoff, and Chatham wasted no time, draining a three-pointer for the first points of the game. Niles North responded immediately with a two-point score and a monstrous fast-break dunk from junior forward Mustaf Rexhepi. From there, both teams played intense defense, diving for loose balls and forcing turnovers. That didn’t stop Evanston guard Ian Peters from catching fire, hitting three three-pointers. With two-point scores from Evanston senior forward Jayden Rodriguez and Olson for Niles North, the first quarter ended with the Kits leading 19-16.
“We knew Niles North could really score the ball; they have a lot of talent on their team. We knew they were going to make a run,” Ellis said.
The second quarter began with Peters picking up where he left off, sinking another three-pointer. Olson answered with a finish-and-foul for a three-point play. Evanston freshman guard Ben Ojala entered the game and made an immediate impact, hitting two free throws and draining a three-pointer to extend the Kits’ lead to 29-19. Irby, making his first appearance, was called for a charge but responded with a step-back three-pointer on the next possession. Evanston sophomore guard Dion Lane and forward Vito Rocca added two-point plays for the Kits shortly after.
With time winding down in the second quarter, Chatham grabbed his own blocked three-point attempt and put it back up for a two-point score. Niles North forward Hunter Gawron answered with a physical two-point score in the post, but Chatham had the last laugh, scoring on Gawron and gesturing “too small” at his former teammate. The Kits added 22 points in the quarter, dominating for a 41-28 lead at halftime.
“Even throughout [Niles North’s] runs, which we knew they were going to go on, I didn’t see one guy drop his chin to his chest or flip his hands upside down. It was all about playing present, and that was our main message all week long: just be in the moment,” Ellis said.
The Vikings played catch-up in the third quarter. Early struggles gave way to a fadeaway two-point score by Irby and a few key buckets from Olson. However, Evanston’s Theo Rocca and Peters countered with three-point shooting, keeping Niles North far from a chance. The quarter ended with Evanston leading 54-42.
Niles North shifted momentum in the fourth quarter, capitalizing on Evanston’s mistakes. Irby tied the game at 56-56, and Gawron’s physical two-point basket gave the Vikings a 58-56 lead. But Theo Rocca hit a clutch three-pointer, and Vito Rocca’s free throws put the Kits back on top, 60-58. But the guy who started things off for the Vikings, came back to finish it. Rexhepi answered with a two-point play, tying the game at 60-60 as regulation ended.
Overtime emphasized quality over quantity, with both teams seeking to attempt quality shots instead of attempting many. The Vikings won the tipoff, and Rexhepi scored immediately to put Niles North ahead 62-60. Vito Rocca responded with a two-point play to tie it. Chatham drew a foul, hitting one of two free throws to give Evanston a 63-62 lead. Gawron scored again for Niles North, making it 64-63, but that would be their final points. The Kits sealed the game with clutch free throws from Vito, Peters, and Chatham, securing a 68-64 victory.
“In terms of the atmosphere, I’m very happy for Kaidan’s teammates. They showed up, willing to win for him. I felt like they didn’t want to let Kaidan down,” Ellis said. “You could see it in the plays made throughout the game. Even the players on the bench were motivating our guys to dig deep and give that extra effort.”
Chatham got the best of Irby this game, but their bond remains strong.
“It feels good to see him do his own thing. He’s playing well. There was never hate there; that’s my guy at the end of the day. So it’s nice to play against him,” Irby said.
“When I first [came back], it was nostalgic. I saw a lot of familiar faces and everybody was showing love, saying what’s up. It felt like I’ve been here before. Obviously, I have, but it’s just a great feeling coming in here and playing in front of everybody,” Chatham said.
Evanston will travel to Northbrook to face conference opponent Glenbrook North on Jan. 17 at 7 p.m.
