We now have Supersectional Monday since the IHSA moved it up a day. Losing more tradition from Super Tuesday, it is now Super Monday. The biggest day on the calendar for Illinois High School basketball. For most teams now the rest of tournament is on college courts. This could change things for some teams. Teams are so close to the State Finals they can taste it, yet so far off. 32 minutes(maybe more) away from their dreams since they were kids playing basketball in Illinois. America's Original March Madness ratchets up another notch tomorrow night. Memories for these teams will last forever, getting so close to the promised land, or moving on with a chance for the big trophy. A few teams: Kenwood Academy(Chicago), Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn), Lemont, Yorkville Christian and Glenbrook South are looking for their first trips to the State Finals in school history. For Simeon Career Academy(Chicago), Whitney Young(Chicago) this is old hat. Quincy is back in this round after a long absence, used to be a powerhouse program. Here we go with the Chicago Area matchup.
Central(Joliet):
#4 Leo Catholic(Chicago)(25-4) vs #7 DePaul College Prep(Chicago)(25-5): I usually am at this Supersectional, but since the IHSA put them all on the same day it won't happen. This is the toughest one in Class 2A, and the State Champ usually comes from this Supersectional. I think this year is no different. A GIGANTIC MATCHUP!!!!!!! DePaul Prep beat this Leo Catholic team in last game of regular season. Leo had a chance to go undefeated in the Chicago Catholic League and was playing on their home floor. DePaul Prep spoiled it by winning 48-38. Senior guard Trevon Thomas(6'1") did a good defensive job on Catholic League Player Of The Year junior JaKeem Cole(6'1"). Can he be successful a second time? Is Leo Catholic looking to avenge that loss? Leo starts with Cole and has a couple of good running partners. One is junior point guard Tyler Smith(6'0") who puts pressure on opposing guards and can score from all three levels as can Cole. Senior guard Cameron Cleveland(6'3") is a stone cold scorer from three and midrange. Five guard lineup all hit the defensive glass, and uses full court pressure to give teams fits. For DePaul Prep, Thomas is a good scorer, as is senior guard Anthony Gutierrez(6'3") and sophomore Payton Kamin(6'6"). Leo has no matchup for Milwaukee commit Dylan Arnett(6'9). Will the Rams exploit it? I watched three DePaul Prep games this year and was not impressed. They passed up too many good shots for my taste. It seems to be working right now at the right time of the year. They play good defense and are deliberate offensively and love to keep the score in the 40's. Leo wants the score in the 70's and 80's. Tempo will decide this game. Last game DePaul Prep was able to control the tempo. Will they be able to do it again? My opinion the winner of this game will be Class 2A State Champ. It's been this way the last 3 championships(Orr), and I feel it will be that way again. I'll miss watching this game as I'll be at either University of Illinois Chicago or Forest View Educational Center.
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