I'll breakdown each sectional, the favorite, the sleeper, trap games and notes. Here we go:
DEFENDING CHAMP: Metamora
They have been to back to back Class 3A Title games and have a lot of experienced players. and have the pieces to repeat. They have a tough sectional and then a supersectional, so it would be a great accomplishment to get back for a third straight year. Transfer Iowa commit Cooper Koch does not have a ring, so he'll keep the other hungry to get him one.
UIC (CHICAGO) SUPERSECTIONAL:
Hinsdale South (Darien) Sectional:
Favorite: Mount Carmel (Chicago)
Biggest sectional favorite in the state as the Caravan last state appearance they won in 1985. They are trying to be one of the few schools to win state in football and basketball in same school year. Chance is there. They got through the tough Chicago Catholic League Blue in the top part of standings.
Darkhorse: Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
To me this is the only team that can ruin the apple cart for Mount Carmel and they are located just around the corner from each other. They have a star in senior Jurrell Baldwin that can carry a team. They have some size on the wings and junior point guard CJ Thomas steadies the team. They played in the rugged Chicago Public League Red South/Central.
Top possible regional final matchup:
Lindblom Math and Science Academy (Chicago) at St Laurence (Burbank):
St Laurence won the Chicago Catholic League White and have some junior talent that have varsity experience. Lindblom has possibly the most underrated backcourt in Chicago Public League. St Laurence has home advantage.
Fenwick (Oak Park) Sectional:
Favorite: Westinghouse College Prep (Chicago):
This to me is an open regional as any of the top 4 seeds could take it. The House's guard play will have to consistently show up and hit the glass. There are not any space eating bigs in this sectional so they can get through with guard play.
Darkhorse: Fenwick (Oak Park)
Junior laden team with a new coach this year could make big time noise, if they get through their regional games which I don't see a problem for them. Home court advantage in a sectional gives them a huge advantage.
Top possible regional matchup:
Honestly don't see one top 4 seeds should dog walk their regional finals. I would say 4 seed Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago) could have an issue, but they are at home, and they have high scoring Jakob Blakely.
BANK OF SPRINGFIELD (SPRINGFIELD) SUPERSECTIONAL:
Lincoln Sectional:
Favorite: Mount Zion
Mount Zion has lost one game all year a three point loss at Metamora. Should be a big time favorite in this sectional to come out. Top players are senior Grant McAtee, junior Lyncoln Koester and sophomore big man JC Anderson.
Dark horse: MacArthur (Decatur)
They've only lost 5 games all year and could cause problems if they get to the sectional.
Top possible regional final:
MacArthur (Decatur) vs Centennial (Champaign):
The regular season game was close as MacArthur won by 5 points. i saw Centennial play and lose a tight one at Kankakee which is a tough place to play. Look for sophomore Jaden Schilb of Centennial to cause some problems.
Triad (Troy) Sectional:
Favorite: Centralia
Has only lost two games all year. Beat Chicago Area ranked Marist (Chicago) to win their holiday tournament. The Orphans top players are seniors Daryle Jones and Cruz Harlan.
Darkhorse: East St Louis
Flyers have handed Centralia one of their two losses. Very athletic team with Cal State Fullerton commit Davis Bynum and Northern Illinois football commit Taylor Powell.
Top possible regional final:
Have not done enough research on those teams to give a matchup.
NOW CENTER (HOFFMAN ESTATES) SUPERSECTIONAL:
St Viator (Arlington Heights) Sectional:
Favorite: DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Big favorite in this sectional as most of their players have championship rings from winning Class 2A last season. Still relatively young squad but does have senior big man Jaylan McElroy and senior guard PJ Chambers who's in the backcourt with his brother AJ. They had some injuries against this season but are healthy now for a run.
Darkhorse: Lake Forest
Senior Tommie Aberle and junior Hunter Scroggins give them a chance to beat anyone in this regional. Yes they are a 2 seed but DePaul College Prep is a big favorite.
Top possible regional final:
Deerfield vs Central (Grayslake):
Senior Charlie Robin and sophomore Jake Pollack are a good one two combination for Deerfield. Junior wing Xavi Granville will need some help to get past this game.
Kaneland (Maple Park) Sectional:
Favorite: South (Crystal Lake)
Overwhelming favorite in this sectional. They have the best player in it and he's the point guard. That would be junior AJ Demirov who's a scorer and passer.
Darkhorse: Woodstock
Senior Stephen Cullum is a double/double machine and could cause problems with his inside/out play for teams in this sectional.
Top possible regional final:
Kaneland (Maple Park) vs Burlington Central (Hampshire):
Kaneland will be motivated to get back to sectional on their home court and finish the job. Lost in Sectional final last year to Marmion Academy (Aurora). Nice one/two punch of Violett Parker and Troyer Carlson. Top players for Burlington are junior guard LJ Kerr and junior Jacob Johnson.
OTTAWA TOWNSHIP SUPERSECTIONAL:
This supersectional game will be the only one on a high school court.
Thornton Township (Harvey) Sectional:
Favorite: Thornton Township (Harvey)
I was tempted to put Brother Rice (Chicago) as a co-favorite, but Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr of Thornton and his co-horts will be hard to deal with, and homeport advantage. Johnson has gotten enough shooting around him all year to earn the top seed.
Darkhorse: Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
Dr Jekyl/Mr Hyde team will rise up and beat a team like Brother Rice, but then lose to Evanston Township. Can they put a series of consistent games together to win a sectional?
Top possible regional final:
Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights) vs Lemont
Marian will have the home advantage in this one but Lemont has some talent to give them problems. Seniors Ryan Runaas, Klaidas Paskauskas, and junior Matas Gaidukevicius might be able to pull the upset.
Note: Brother Rice aka Recliner boys could have a chance to look for revenge against Marian Catholic who beat them in overtime at the Hinsdale Central Holiday Tournament.
Addendum: A great matchup here could be Brother Rice (Chicago) aka the Recliner Boys vs Thornton Township (Harvey). Gigantic sectional final.
Pontiac Sectional:
Favorite: Metamora
Self explanatory. Seniors Tyler Mason, Luke Hopp and junior Matt Zobrist have championship rings and have been this route the last three years.
Dark horse: Richwoods (Peoria)
They have the best individual player in the sectional in Rutgers commit Lathan Sommerville. He's going to need some help and some guys to hit a few outside jump shots. If they get that could win the regional.
Top possible regional final:
Richwoods (Peoria) vs Morton (IL):
Morton beat Metamora at home this season and are a threat with their outside shooting. Senior guard Gus Rugaard, junior wing Wes Gudeman, and senior Evan Barlow. Richwoods has seniors Tavie Smith, Nick Louderman, a knockdown three point shooter, and JD Etherly to support Sommerville.
NOTE: This could be the best sectional final in the state if it's Metamora vs Richwoods (Peoria). Pontiac could be the place to be here and this would be outside the prestigious holiday shootout which is the oldest in America. Possible great game in the old gym.
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