They always pair together the Chicago Area teams so they do not get two teams in Champaign in the lower classes though I think it could happen in Class 1A. Before the IHSA changed the format a couple of years ago, I would always go to this one. It's always an entertaining game. This is about the always tough Joliet Central Supersectional that is held every year. It's hard to get out of Chicago in the lower classes and the winner is usually the favorite for the title. This is a Chicago Catholic League versus a Chicago Public League team. Here we go:
DePaul College Prep (Chicago) vs Perspectives Leadership Co-op (Chicago) at Central (Joliet): DePaul Prep is trying to make it's second straight trip to Champaign. Perspectives Leadership is at this level for the first time, first for a Chicago Charter school as a matter of fact.
DePaul College Prep has had two of their players out for most of the season, Payton Kamin (6'8" junior wing), and Jaylan McElroy (6'7" junior forward). Had some tight regular season losses in tough Chicago Catholic League play while they were out. They came back right before the regular season ended. Question was: Would it be in enough time to jell and make a run deep into the State Playoffs? Answer so far has been yes. Kamin is a knockdown shooter on the wing, and can hit the glass from his position. McElroy is a glass eater who has gotten better on the perimeter. Guards Maurice Thomas (6'0" senior), PJ Chambers (6'2" junior), Makai Kvamme (6'0" sophomore), and Robert Walls III (6'0" sophomore) have taken up the slack. Jonas Johnson (6'6" sophomore wing) comes off the bench to provide three point shooting and rebounding. Will have to control the tempo as they usually do for a return trip Downstate.
Perspectives Leadership has been helped by transfer the Cobb brothers (senior KJ 6'2" guard, junior Gianni Cobb 5'11") from Bloom Township. Also JaKeem Cole (6'0" senior guard) from Leo Catholic. They have come together with Tim Handy (6'2" junior guard) and high flying JK Woods (6'5" senior forward). Cobb brothers along with Cole are quick off the bounce, can get to the basket and score, along with being disruptive on defense. They want to push the pace and get easy buckets in transition. Game changing lobs to Woods gets the momentum going. They do not go much deeper than their starting five but playing in the tough Chicago Public League Red South/Central division has prepared them. A run to the Chicago Public League Semifinals has given them confidence they can make their first trip to the State Finals. They will have to hit some outside shots to loosen up their dribble driving and attacking game at the rim.
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