These are my predictions for both games:
#5 Glenbrook South(Glenview) vs #11 Curie(Chicago): Glenbrook South has two big time veteran players, Cornell commit Cooper Noard(6'2" point guard), and Elon commit Nick Martinelli(6'7" forward). Curie has only one senior on the team Phoenix Bullock(6'0" guard). Keys will be junior forward Chikasi Ofoma(6'5" junior forward) and or junior forward Jeremy Harrington Jr(6'5" junior forward) slowing down Martinelli. Also those two making Martinelli work on defense. Curie will press the entire game and put pressure on Noard to make him work hard bringing the ball up the court. Key players to me will be junior guard Rodell Davis Jr(6'1) for Glenbrook South and sophomore point guard Carlos Harris(6'1") for Curie. Whichever player provides that third threat for their team will decide who wins this game? Will Curie's press work on a college court? Also another factor will be Curie is playing their third game in three days as they are in the middle of the Chicago Public League playoffs. They play maybe 7 players on a regular basis so I see fatigue being a huge factor here.
Prediction: Glenbrook South by 6.
#13 nationally by Max Preps Sierra Canyon(CA) vs #1 Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn): Senior guard UCLA commit Amari Bailey(6'4" guard) is coming home for his last regular season game and will be playing against an opposing crowd. He's also a McDonald's All-American along with teammate and USC commit Kijani Wright(6'9" senior forward). Junior guard Lebron James Jr aka Bronny(6'3" point guard) is a good wing shooter and passer. He will be a key defender man to man and their full court pressure defense. They have senior wing Nebraska commit Ramel Lloyd Jr(6'6" wing). Sophomore guard Isaiah Elohim(6'5") is a monster mid range shooter and will be a big key in this game. They also have senior forward Shy Odom(6'6"). If he's effective scoring in the middle of the 1-3-1 zone could be trouble for Glenbard West. As for undefeated Glenbard West, a big story is the 1-3-1 zone defense Will it be as effective on a college floor and on this stage? Gonzaga commit Braden Huff(6'11" forward) is a key in this game. Even in the zone defense he will have to deal with Wright and senior Jeremiah Nyarko(6'8") off the bench. Army commit senior Ryan Renfro(6'8" forward) will be key on both backboards and will have to look to score inside to be an offensive threat. Senior Illinois walk-on commit Paxton Warden(6'4" guard) will have to be hitting from three point range and hit the glass. Senior Princeton commit Caden Pierce(6'6" guard) will have to score and protect the ball, as will senior Bobby Durkin(6'7" wing). Senior point guard Jack Cardwell(5'10 point guard) will also have to protect the ball coming off the bench. If Glenbard West makes Sierra Canyon play the half court, stay out of foul trouble, and rebound in the zone they win this game. If Sierra Canyon forces a lot of turnovers and gets out on the break for easy baskets, it will be a long night for the Hilltoppers. Glenbard West has protected the ball well all season, has forced turnovers in the 1-3-1 zone, and has rebounded well out of their zone defense. I see them doing it again as they have all season and staying undefeated.
Prediction: Glenbard West by 7.
Comments