IHSA Boys Basketball State Finals wrap-up!!

Some good competitive games in last tournament without a shot clock and close tight games in three of the four title games. All black schools dominating, two freshman stepeed up, DJ Laye dominated, Public vs Private/Catholic argument. Here we go:

MARIST (CHICAGO)'s DOMINANCE:

They were not expected to win Class 4A except for the players and coaches in their locker room. Benet Academy (Lisle) was the slight favorite and a lot of focus on their semifinal vs DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Benet was defending champ, and DePaul College Prep had won three straight titles in two different classifications. Benet won the semifinal on a free throw by senior North Dakota State commit Colin Stack. Meanwhile Marist dominated York Commuity (Elmhurst) in the other semifinal. Marist then throttled Benet in the title game holding them scoreless in the second quarter and only three points in the fourth quarter for 44-28 win. Defense on the ball, taking care of the defensive glass, spreading out Benet, and scoring when opportunities presented itself. Experienced team with 3 four year varsity performers Stephen Brown (NC State football commit), Adoni Vassilakis, TJ Tate. They took the program to levels not previously seen. Broke school record for wins their sophomore year, upped it their junior year, then upped it again this year with first state title. Congrats.

EAST ST LOUIS FINISHES WHAT THE FOOTBALL TEAM DIDN'T:

East St Louis had a lot of pressure from their fan base to win the title and make up for what the powerful football team didn't. Football team was upset in the Class 6A title game losing to Fenwick (Oak Park). Team was on a mission with Chaminade (MO) transfer Jamison White, a Penn State commit coming in. Junior point guard Phillip Jones ran the show and underrated senior guard Alex Johnson showed three level scoring. Johnson had a double/double (points, rebounds) in semifinal win over Leo Catholic (Chicago). White had a double/double in both semifinal and title game, tying a record of 17 rebounds in title game. He had a key rebound put back off his missed free throw to clinch the title. Flyers fan base didn't have a lot of fans, but they were noisy chanting "East Side, East Side" most of the game. Deerfield, with 12 losses was looking to be first double digit loss team to win a title. They came close taking the Flyers to the last minute in a tight game. Senior's Dartmouth commit Jake Pollack, and Case Western Reserve commit Evan Nagler had outstanding state tournaments. First upsetting previously undefeated Kaneland in the semifinals, and taking East St Louis to the limit in the title game.

TWO FRESHMAN FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THE STATE FINALS IN CLASS 3A:

Class of 2029 combo guards E'Murion Jackson of East St Louis, and Drew Schnurman of Deerfield played huge roles in semifinal and title game. Jackson scored close to double digits in semifinal and was on the floor at clutch time in the title game. Schnurman made 3 huge threes in first half of semifinal vs Kaneland, and was on the floor making key contributions late in title game. Made a couple of huge passes against the press leading to Deerfield baskets in title game. Both have bright futures in high school basketball and Jackson ends his year with a title.

MANUAL (PEORIA) SPREADS OUT NOTRE DAME (QUINCY) TO WIN CLASS 2A TITLE:

Peoria Manual used their quickness, ball handling and spread the floor in both semifinal and title game to win in comeback fashion. Had deficits in both semifinal vs Unity (Tolono) and Notre Dame (Quincy). Came back using pressure, getting steals and buckets, then spread the floor once they go the lead. Used patience, attacked the basket when needed to score. Moved the ball, made good passes, used quickness to attack for baskets, as well as pressured the ball for steals. Junior Tajh Tolliver used his ball handling and quickness to play keep away. Seniors Josh Humbles, and Reggie Postelwaite used their slashing ability, strength and finishing ability to get key baskets. Senior Jaquan Brown had a big time title game with 23 points on 11/14 shooting. Senior Jace Allensworth had 21 points for Notre Dame (Quincy) which suffered their first loss to an Illinois opponent.

SOPHOMORE DARRIN "DJ" LAYE DOMINATES FOURTH QUARTER TO LEAD WILD COMEBACK WIN FOR MARSHALL (CHICAGO) IN TITLE GAME OVER GOREVILLE:

Goreville was dominating the game up 8 going into the fourth quarter, upped it to 10, then Laye took over. He started doing everything, steals, baskets, and ones, crashing the glass, and making some great passes in traffic to will his team to the win. Marshall outscored Goreville 21-5 in the fourth quarter to turn an 8 point deficit to an 8 point win. Laye was the only Marshall player in double figures with a 30 piece extra crispy. Added 7 rebounds, 6 steals, and a partridge in a pear tree. It was a back and forth title game as Marshall led 13-8 at end of first quarter, then Goreville won second quarter 16-5 to lead 24-18 going into halftime. Key three point makes by senior Garrett Church of Goreville gave them seperation in the third quarter. This set up Laye's heroics in the fourth quarter.

ALL BLACK TEAMS DOMINTED STATE FINALS:

Marshall (Chicago), Manual (Peoria), and East St Louis are all black teams that won state titles in Class 1A-3A. Opponents in title games were mostly white or Jewish which was a crazy dynamic at the state finals. It showed diversity of the game of basketball that all types, races, social ecomonic status can take their teams to the highest level in the state of Illinois. All players played hard to the highest of competition showing good sportsmanship along the way. It's progress where it was definitely noticed but not talked about much. Just good competiton and players trying to win a basketball title. Kudos to them and the fans for good clean chants cheering their schools on trying to help them win a title.

FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS A TEAM FROM CENTRAL (JOLIET) SUPERSECTIONAL DIDN'T WIN CLASS 2A STATE TITLE:

Farragut (Chicago) was the representative this year and they came in fourth. Great run by senior Latrell Kelley and his crew finished 13-16. Last three that came out of here DePaul College Prep (Chicago), Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago), and Dyett (Chicago) had won the title. Last team before this that hadn't was DePaul College Prep (Chicago), then before that Orr Academy (Chicago) had won three straight.

PRIVATE/CATHOLIC VS PUBLIC:

Argument started specifically in Class 4A because three of the four finalists were Catholic schools (DePaul Prep, Benet Academy, Marist) and one Public (York Community). York Community was also a boundary school only beng able to draw from the city of Elmhurst. Well Public schools won Class 1A, 2A and 3A. Class 1A all four schools were Public (Eastland, Lawrenceville,Goreville, Marshall (Chicago)). Class 2A only Notre Dame (Quincy) was Catholic/Private. Leo Catholic (Chicago) was the only Catholic/Private school in Class 3A. Deerfield, Kaneland, and East St Louis are all boundary schools (though some folks at Centralia after sectonal final were complaining that East St Louis was getting players from across the river in St Louis,MO).

Thing is in Chicago Area and maybe other places their will be complaints about the advantges the Private/Catholic schools have in recruiting. Keep this in mind though:

1) Chicago Public schools recruit from all over the city so they have an advantage as well over the boundary suburban schools that can't go outside their districts.

2) Life is unfair and something is always an uneven playing field, whether in basketball or the nepotism that goes on in society. Just have to overcome it or fight for equality in these spaces.

3) Marshall (Chicago) all their players except one come from the West Side and go to their neighborhood school. Hence they can recruit all over the city, but their team was from the neighborhood so congrats to them. True West Side school and team.

4) Farragut (Chicago) was another one where their players came from the West Side.

Finally:

This will be discussed over and over and some suggested that there be separate tournaments like there are in some states (Texas, New Jersey for example). A never ending discussion. As for me deal with what it is, play who's in front of you. Suggestion for public schools, make your program to where kids want to come and play. Those schools need to try and up their academics as some go to Private/Catholic schools for the education. They also as far as I know pay for that education, not sure if some or all athletes get a tuition break or have to pay.