I'll break down each sectional, the favorite, the sleeper, trap games and notes. Here we go:
DEFENDNG CHAMP: DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Will not be defending here as they were moved up to Class 3A by success formula. They are though a serious contender in that class.
BANK OF SPRINGFIELD CENTER (SPRINGFIELD) SUPERSECTIONAL:
Beardstown Sectional favorite is Warsaw Co-OP
Canton Sectional favorite is Manual (Peoria) who has the best player left in Class 2A in jumbo junior point guard Dietrich Richardson. This is a young team but has a veteran in Gerrell Trapps who can explode for points in bunches. School has a rich tradition in state titles and is looking to add to the total.
Darkhorse: El Paso Gridley with senior Michael Meiss and junior big man Jonah Funk could come out of Canton.
JOLIET CENTRAL SUPERSECTIONAL:
Corliss (Chicago) Sectional:
Favorite: Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago)
Comes from tough Chicago Public League Red South/Central and made it to Chicago Public League semifinals and pushed Class 4A power Kenwood Academy (Chicago) to the brink. Plays fast and shoots a lot of threes but also attacks the basket. Junior laden team. Junior guards EJ Horton and Armani Edwards can do it all. Keys will be junior wing Phoenix Childs and sophomore big man Claude Mpouma hitting the glass and staying out of foul trouble. Good thing is they won't face a lot of bigs in Class 2A.
Darkhorse: Noble/Hansberry College Prep (Chicago)
Brooks brothers (not the suits) juniors wing Al Brooks Jr and point guard Ikee Brooks are the keys. Both fill the ink on the stat page in a lot of categories. They'll need a third player to step up to make Noble history as first team to win a sectional.
Top possible regional final:
Noble/Hansberry College Prep (Chicago) vs Noble/Johnson College Prep (Chicago)
This will be the fourth meeting and Hansberry holds a 2-1 edge. Brooks brothers vs junior wing sensation TJ Seals of Johnson College Prep. Can Seals get some help from teammates please????? If he gets some could pull off the upset here.
Central (Clifton) Sectional:
Favorite: Beecher
Only undefeated team left in the state at 30-0, but does not have a good basketball history. They've won one regional title in their history. 4 of their players have played together since kindergarten so that team chemistry will help. Point guard Adyn McGinley makes the machine run smooth. Fun to watch, likes to push it, and plays with good half court sets so if their running game stalls, they can score in the half court which playoff games some times bogs down.
Dark horse: Bishop McNamara (Kankakee)
19-8 record and could surprise and make a run possible to a sectional title. Young team with only 2 seniors could be an issue though.
Top possible regional final:
Beecher vs Westmont
Beecher once again has won only one regional title and have not lost a game. Could be tough beating Westmont on their home court. Seniors Joseph Kone, Abraham Johnson, and junior Malachi Boatright could give Beecher problems defensively.
Note:
Would be a fun game Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago) vs Beecher in Central (Joliet) Supersectional. The winner of this Supersectional has won the state title 5 of the last 6 years. Good record.
STERLING SUPERSECTIONAL:
Timothy Christian (Elmhurst) Sectional:
Favorite: Christ The King Jesiut College Prep (Chicago)
They have a big man which is rare in Class 2A. Senior Calvin "CJ" Worsham is a bona fide double/double machine. He can also pass out out of the post and hit a 15 foot jumper. He has a partner inside in junior Aaron McClure. They play well off each other and have ever improving jump shooter junior Darien Green in the backcourt. One of the most talented teams in Class 2A. Big time threat to win the title.
Darkhorse: Latin (Chicago)
Have one of the most underrated talents in the state in senior Ryan Mbouombouo and fellow senior Nick Rotter. if both get hot at the same time could play in a sectional.
Top possible regional final:
Michele Clark (Chicago) at Latin (Chicago)
This could be a blowout, or a tight game which Latin has homeport. Michele Clark plays in Chicago Public League Red West/North Conference. Clark plays scrappy and physical so this will depend on the refs whistle as to what they let go.
Mendota Sectional:
Favorite: Byron
They have lost only 2 games all year, Beecher and Christian (Rockford). Have a big time scorer in senior combo guard Ryan Tucker who can explode for 30 at anytime. He's the schools all time leading scorer. He has help in sophomore Carson Newton and senior Jack Hiveley jumps in for the scoring department.
Darkhorse: Christian (Rockford)
They have an excellent point guard in junior Christian Cummings and a good backcourt partner in junior Elijah Daugherty. If they can get solid play from the frontline could upset the apple cart. They have beaten top seed Byron.
Top possible regional final:
Christian (Rockford) vs Lutheran (Rockford)
Can Christian win this matchup for a third time? This is a big time rivalry and Winnebago will be packed. Lutheran counters with senior Vontez Dent who will need help from teamamtes to make third time a charm.
CARBONDALE SUPRSECTIONAL:
Benton Sectional Favorite is Breese Central
Shelbyville Sectional Favorite is Lawrenceville with Unity (Tolono) a close second.
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