#1 Benet Academy (Lisle) uses a 13-1 run at beginning of the third quarter to get separation needed to clinch last East Suburban Catholic Conference title!! Top performances in the state tonight!!!

Benet Academy has been the best team in the state coming back trying to go back to back in Class 4A State titles. There were some late game theatrics missing free throws to keep Marist around. Also senior Charles "Chuckii" Barnes of Marist went nuts in the last minute hitting long threes, but Benet held on.

#1 Benet Academy (Lisle) 77 #10 Marist (Chicago) 68:

This is one of the last games in the East Suburban Catholic Conference as both teams will be heading to the Chicago Catholic League. Marist led early as junior Kendall Barnes scored 10 points in first quarter to gain a 24-21 advantage. Lead changed hands a few times in the second quarter, but senior Eastern Illinois commit Jayden Wright drove through the defense and threw a lob to 7'1" senior North Dakota State commit Colin Stack for a dunk at end of the second quarter to take a 35-33 lead into recess. Then Benet took over the game in first four minutes of the third quarter with a 15-1 run, threes, dunks, and layups by multiple players gave them a 50-34 lead with 4:13 left in the third quarter. They led 57-46 at the end of the quarter. Lead never got lower than 7 but Marist press led to a couple of late timeouts taken by Benet. To add Barnes hit a couple of long threes to make it a little stressful for Benet, but Wright hit two free throws, and Marist missed a couple of late threes to make it academic.

Benet Academy (Lisle) will be tough to beat with twin towers of Stack (7'1") and junior Edvardas Stasys (6'8") in the paint for lobs, and rim protection. Point guard Wright is steady with the ball and quick. They go to 29-1, 8-0 in East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Marist (Chicago) is a threat in Class 4A, but the health of senior Karson Thomas is in question. He's been out with a knee injury since middle of December. He has an exam early next week to see if he can play in the state playoffs. They drop to 25-5, 5-2 in East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Top performances:

Benet Academy (Lisle):

Senior Colin Stack 23 points 7 rebounds 1 block (North Dakota State commit)

Junior Edvardas Stasys 19 points 12 rebounds (7 offensive) (double/double) 2 steals 1 block

Senior Jayden Wright 17 points 5 assists 1 steal (Eastern Illinois commit)

Marist (Chicago):

Senior Charles "Chuckii" Barnes Jr 33 points 1 steal

Junior Kendall Meyers 17 points 8 rebounds 2 steals

Top perfomances in the state:

Jacob Baumann, Christian (Aurora) 16 points

Joe DeCort, Christian (Aurora) 16 points

Sean Reese, Glenbard South (Glen Ellyn) 25 points (junior)

Johnathan Hadley, Glenbard South (Glen Ellyn) 18 points

Keshuan Manney, Central Catholic (Bloomington)

Cason Newton, Byron 31 points

Garrett Webster, Elmwood 15 points

Jackson Bohm, Mahomet-Seymour 35 points (15 shots)

Jace Allensworth, Notre Dame (Quincy) 28 points

Hunter Froman, West Hancock (Warsaw) 21 points (junior)

Jack Wendt of Alleman (Rock Island) scored his 1000th point (junior)

Vasilas Stratgios, Prospect (Mount Prospect) 18 points

Nino Hearn, Thornton Fractional North (Calumet City) 21 points

Joey Cwik of Bartlett scored his 1000th point (junior)

Brody Langraf, Columbia 14 points 13 rebounds (double/double)

Brady Hairald, Minooka 16 points (7/11 FG) 5 rebounds

Leo Brinias, Wauconda 21 points 5 rebounds 6 assists 2 steals

Alex Ortega, Wauconda 17 points 3 steals

Austin Carlsen, Wauconda 18 points 11 rebounds (double/double) 6 assists 4 steals (junior)

Tony Salemi, Wauconda 16 points 1 steal 1 block

E'Shawn Hughes, North Chicago 23 points

Martin Jeffries, North Chicago 17 points

Levi Finch, North Chicago 17 points

Chase Ruppert, Heyworth 23 points

Luke Townsend, Armstrong 16 points 14 rebounds (double/double)

Zimmerman, Christian (Peoria) 20 points 7 steals

Carter Brown, Sherrard 18 points

Carson Trivilleni, South (Crystal Lake) 21 points 5 rebounds 5 steals (Illinois baseball commit) (junior)

Nick Stowasser, South (Crystal Lake) 15 points 6 rebounds (junior)

Bryson Mossman, Routt Catholic (Jacksonville) 18 points

Abell, Routt Catholic (Jacksonville) 17 points

Maddox Ritzel, Nashville 35 points 7 rebounds

Carson Woods, Central (Grayslake) 20 points

Cole Halverson, Central (Grayslake) 20 points

Cameron Curry, Marion 24 points 12 rebounds (double/double) (junior)

Jaxron Faulkenberry, Herrin 21 points

Cameron Mercer, Riverside Brookfield 33 points 5 rebounds (broke school career three point record)

Cameron Johnson, U-High (Normal) 18 points 12 rebounds (double/double)

Kellen Martin, Macomb 16 points

Chance Parsons, Antioch 23 points 6 rebounds

Dino Giannini, Ridgwood (Norridge) 30 points

Brady Pettigrew, Bolingbrook 23 points

Lane Eilerman, Calhoun 26 points

Jack Zipprich, Calhoun 13 points 12 rebounds (double/double)

Collin Bernard, Pittsfield 18 points

Oliver Gray, Barrington 20 points

Jackson Roberts, Barrington 19 points (junior)

Joe Niego, Brother Rice (Chicago) 25 points

Zach Born, Metamora 21 points (junior)

Sam Koch, Metamora 16 points (sophomore)

Joey Kramer, Marmion Academy (Aurora) 18 points 7 rebounds

Brock Brown, Taylorville 22 points

Brayden Jones, Heritage 18 points

Ryan Dinnon, Andrew (Tinley Park) 20 points

Jacoby Lane, Maroa-Forsyth 24 points

Caebrin Lee, Maroa-Forsyth 21 points

Noah Hester, Taft (Chicago) 19 points (sophomore)

Luke Dufresne, St Francis (Wheaton) 17 points

Jack Blunier, Eureka 19 points 16 rebounds (double/double)

Connell Roth, Eureka 18 points

Will Johnson, Sandburg (Orland Park) 18 points

Darron Greer Jr, Argo (Summit) 22 points

Cameron Anderson, Schaumburg 16 points

Ryan Kettman, Wilminton 18 points

Brysen Meents, Wilmington 15 points

Nick Brzezniak, Lincoln Way Central (New Lenox) 17 points

Panos, Lincoln Way Central (New Lenox) 15 points

Dylan Dumele, Cary Grove 24 points (4 3PT)

Adam Bauer, Cary Grove 17 points

Adam Anwar, McHenry 21 points

Nathan Ottaway, McHenry 15 points 10 rebounds (double/double)

Reggie Stevens, St Laurence (Burbank) 21 points (junior)

Markese Peoples, St Laurence (Burbank) 15 points (junior)

Michael Nee, Glenbard East (Lombard) 30 points (South Dakota commit)

Danny Snyder, Glenbard East (Lombard) 19 points

Logan Costa, Eisenhower (Blue Island) 20 points

Boogie Moore, Eisenhower (Blue Island) 19 points

Erick Catillo. Momence 23 points

Tony Balanganyi, Palatine 17 points (Illinois football commit)

Amari Williams, Shepard (Palos Heights) 19 points 13 rebounds (double/double) (sophomore)

Danny McGovern, Shepard (Palos Heights) 17 points 6 assists

Brendin Thomas, Shepard (Palos Heights) 20 rebounds

Brady Welch, Moline 23 points (10/11 FT) 5 assists (junior)

Marshall Ledbetter, Hinckley Big Rock 23 points (junior)

Luke Badal, Hinckley Big Rock 17 points

Khordell Gregory, Rochester 29 points (sophomore)

Marcello Saraceno, Addison Trail 16 points

Manny Roque, Addison Trail 15 points

Parker Murry, Indian Creek 16 points

Brady Larsen, Vernon Hills 19 points

Ethan Vahl, Oswego 21 points 10 rebounds (double/double) 5 assists 5 steals (sophomore)

Javeon Seargent Williams, Kennedy (Chicago) 20 points 8 rebounds

Marc Harvey, Oak Lawn 18 points

Adam Flowers, South (Downers Grove) 16 points

KJ Miller, East (Plainfield) 21 points 6 assists 4 steals (junior)

Alijah Little, East (Plainfield) 16 points

Victor Norris, Providence St Mel (Chicago) 26 points 9 assists 4 steals (junior)

Cedrick Carter, Intrinsic Downtown (Chicago) 31 points (Dyouville commit)

Dominic Chapello, Northridge Prep (Niles) 15 points 10 rebounds (double/double)

Zane Schneider, Lemont 16 points (junior)

Ryan Crane, Lemont 16 points

Jacob Harvanek, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) 19 points

Josh Abushanab, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) 15 points

Marshawn Cocroft, Kaneland (Maple Park) 25 points (Grand Valley State commit)

Luke Blackford, Calvary (Springfield) 24 points

Antoine Hunter, Calvary (Springfield) 17 points

ReVell Gilbert, Central (Joliet) 15 points (freshman)

Dawson Traphagan of Brimfield scored his 1000th point tonight

Darren Law, Oak Park River Forest 12 points 11 rebounds (double/double)

Sam Golden, Loyola Academy (Wilmette) 17 points (Denison commit)

Payton Van Lent, Scales Mound 17 points (sophomore)

Caden Duerr, Scales Mound 16 points (junior)

Alex Sirbu, Buffalo Grove 22 points 17 rebounds (double/double)