This is Lane Tech College Prep's first regional title. It is my daughter's school (Class of 2008) so I'm a little partial to them. A soft spot in my heart. I live though in Evanston, Illinois, and have known most of these young men since they were little kids. I plan on being in the house for this one tomorrow night. Here's the breakdown:
Evanston Township:
This is their best team since 2021, the team that was not able to go Downstate because of COVID19 ruined their season. Went Downstate in 2018 and 2019, was in a Sectional Final in 2020 vs Loyola Academy (Wilmette) when everything was shut down. They had a couple of lean years the last couple of years (lost in Regional Final two yeares ago, and first game of Regional last year). Two transfers came in that infused a lot of enthusiasm in the community and they have not disappointed. Both are originally from Evanston and transferred back for their senior seasons. Point guard Kaidan Chatham (Niles North (Skokie)) (#3), and forward George Richardson (DePaul College Prep (Chicago)) have been huge contributors. Seniors Theo Rocca (Washington University St Louis commit), (#11) and Ian Peters have been huge. Peters, whose brother Blake is the school's all time leading scorer and steals leader, has had a lot of pressure to produce. He's done very well. Sophomore Vito Rocca (#21) and freshman Ben Ojala (#10) have been huge too. Ojala has a broken finger suffered in Central Suburban Title game vs Niles North (Skokie). Didn't play in Regionals and not sure he'll be available in this game? Junior Timi Ogunsanya will be huge off the bench as will senior wing Jayden Rodriguez, especially on defense and the defensive glass. Not sure if junior Monte Dillard (6'5" forward) will get any time, but he'd help with size.
Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago):
Such a huge team goes 6'10", 6'7",6'7", 6'5"on their front line and part of the back court. They've played a tough schedule losing 11 games but have won 20. Senior Penn commit Dalton Scantlebury (6'10") (#13) is a monster in the paint. Fellow senior Zach Mazanowski (6'7") (#12) is a slasher from the wing who can shoot from three, or attack off the bounce and dunk on you. Drew Bartolai (6'4" guard) (#2) fills it up from the outside as does junior wing Matt Szaloni (6'7"). Senior Luka Pinto (6'5" wing) is a knockdown three point shooter. With all that their issue has been ball handling and dealing with pressure defernse. It has lost them some games where they've had double digit leads in the fourth quarter (Kenwood Academy). They've been turnover machines with their back court play, and bigs handling it a little too much. They've beaten New Trier (Winnetka) twice eliminating them in the regional final stopping them from playing the sectional in their building. Point guards Bryaden Rosenkrantz and Kenneth Rosario both seniors will have to handle the Wildkits pressure defense.
Keys to the game:
Can Evanston Township keep Lane Tech off the offensive glass?
Richardson (6'7") is Evanston's tallest player and he can step out and hit threes. This will be key bringing Scantlebury to the perimeter. Evanston Township plays man to man defense most of the time and will have to be good on helpside defense in the paint.
Can Lane Tech College Prep handle Evanston's pressure defense?
Mentioned above their point guards will be key to handling the man to man and double teams in the full court.
Can Evanston Township use their quickness to get the bigs into foul trouble?
Richardson will be key in bringing the bigs out hitting a few jump shots. Chatham will have to make good decisons on when to attack the paint, and when not to. Will have to get the others involved and make their outside shots. This is a good shooting team from three and will have to be on target.
Can Lane Tech use their size to impose their will on Evanston?
They will have to stay out of foul trouble (especially Scantlebury) and protect the basketball. Play at a slow halfcourt pace and don't get into a high tempo game with Evanston.
Both teams have played tough schedules so what gives here?
Lane Tech has never been this far in the state playoffs. Evanston has a good history of gettting deep into the playoffs with exception of this group. Evanston is a community that has supported their high school basketball for decades. It's a rabid fan base (there's a group called the hat crew), and demands big time success. Can the players block that out and play their best basketball at the right time of the year? Evanston is going to have to bank on that tradition to help them get by this game.
Evanston has to stay close to even on the glass.
If they do this they win the game. If they get killed on the glass and not force a lot of turnovers, they could go home early and Lane Tech would move on.
Should be a fun game. Get your popcorn ready.
Comments