Beane Leads Giant City To Big Title In Illinois
by Spencer Pulliam, Future150 (2:27 PM CT, Mon February 17, 2014)

Carbondale, IL (Future150) -- Around the Southern Illinois campus, the name 'Beane' is quickly becoming synonymous with basketball.

Anthony Beane, Sr. was hired as an assistant by Saluki head coach Barry Hinson in 2012 after more than a decade of experience on Division I sidelines.

Beane Sr., a former Junior College All-American at Three Rivers College, led his team to the NJCAA National Championship in 1991.

He went on to star at Kansas State in the early 1990s, where he was named 'Newcomer of the Year' in 1992, and was twice selected to the Big Eight All-Conference team.

His gifts on the hardwood were passed to his two sons, as Anthony Beane Jr. is currently among the Salukis leading scorers as a sophomore, and his younger sibling is only beginning to blossom.

Darius Beane, a 6-foot-3 guard with the length and body type which suggests he'll add a few more inches, recently led Giant City School in Makanda, Illinois to the SIJHSAA State Championship.

One of the region's quickest rising prospects from the Class of 2018, the youngest Beane is showing the talent that will place him on the recruiting radars of collegiate programs sooner than later.

As the Giants made their march to the title, Beane was spectacular, recording consecutive 20-plus point performances in the 1st round against St. Ann Catholic and quarterfinals versus Germantown.

He followed that with a 15-point outing in the semifinal versus Bluford, which included scoring the game-winning basket with under ten seconds remaining to lift Giant City into the title match-up.

Saving his best for last, Beane knocked down five three-point baskets in route to 35 points, as the Giants secured a historic win in the Class S State Championship, pummeling New Hope, 73-54.

Giant City finished the 2013-2014 season with a 23-4 record, having been crowned Quad County Conference Champions, Class 3 Regional Champions, and SIJHSAA Class S State Champions behind nearly 25 points per game from MVP selection Darius Beane.

While he's played on the travel circuit with both the Illinois Bears and Team Illinois in past seasons, it's unclear who Beane will suit up for this spring and summer before entering high school in the fall.

Regardless of the travel program fortunate to have him on their roster, expect Beane to continue expanding his status as a prospect, as JrFuture150.com will surely be present to document his ascent.