IHSA Class 1A preview: St Anthony (Effingham) gets to state finals a year later than some expected. Hope Academy (Chicago) is back, Christian (Peoria) is back for first time since 2004!!!!!!

Eastland (Lanark) is back for first time since 2013.

Note: Illinois High School basketball legend Ronnie Fields is back for second year in a row coaching Hope Academy (Chicago)

Game 1: St Anthony (Effingham) (32-4) vs Hope Academy (Chicago) (26-7) 9:30 amd Thursday:

St Anthony (Effingham) starters:

Junior Keenan Griffith (6'0" guard)

Senior Will Fearday (6'1" senior guard)

Senior Sam Link (5'11" point guard)

Senior Brock Fearday (6'3" senior wing)

Senior Ryan Schmidt (6'4" forward)

Hope Academy (Chicago) starters:

Senior Ian Williams (6'0" combo guard)

Junior Tyjuan hunter (5'7" point guard)

Junior Jaiden Simmons (6'5" forward)

Sophomore Trentyn McGinnis (6'3" wing)

Senior Malik Meridy (6'2" guard)

Keys to the game:

St Anthony (Effingham):

Have not seen them play.

Hope Academy (Chicago):

Hunter will have to be the pest he usually is on defense to opposing guards. He'll have to be hitting from outside to open up his drives and kicks. Simmons will have to take care of the glass. Mendy is a three point sniper.

Christian (Peoria) (28-9) vs Eastland (Lanark) (33-4):

Christian (Peoria) starters:

Junior Trae Brickner (5'11" combo guard)

Senior Malachi Persinger (5'10" point guard)

Senior Gus Walder (6'1" combo guard)

Senior Josh Walton (6'1" wing)

Junior Myles Zimmerman (5'8" point guard)

Eastland (Lanark) starters:

Senior Tanner Stern (5'10" point guard)

Junior Zyaxch Haverland (6'4" forward)

Senior Adam Awender (5'10" guard)

Senior Peyton Spears (5'10" senior guard)

Junior Parker Krogman (6'3" wing)

Keys to the game:

Christian (Peoria):

Small team that loves to play fast and will have to in this game. They will have to speed Eastland up . Their main scorers Persinger (Coach's son), Walder, and Buckner will have to shoot well from outside to win this game.

Eastland (Lanark):

Has shown they can play at any pace, slowed it down in sectional final vs Pecatonica, then played a normal pace in Supersectional vs Christian (Aurora). Will have to defend the quickness of Christian (Peoria).