I'll breakdown each sectional, the favorite, the sleeper, trap games and notes. Here we go:
A freshman COULD lead them:
Jaxson Davis and Davion Thompson are both guards. Davis plays for Warren Township (Gurnee) and Thompson plays for Bolingbrook. They both could lead their teams to Champaign. Davis is the more likely at this point as the Guilford (Rockford) Sectional is not that deep. The challenge is it's a long trip to Rockford for Warren, if they get out of their own regional which I think they will. Thompson and Bolingbrook are in the deepest sectional in the state as they have a possible dicey regional final against Yorkville on their own home court. I like others think the higher seeds should be hosting regionals. but that's a conversation for another day. Both are sensational players even for freshman and could led special runs for their teams. Two players that did it are Jon Scheyer of Glenbrook North and DJ Steward at Fenwick.
DEKALB SUPERSECTIONAL:
Elgin Sectional:
Favorite: Barrington
Loosely favored as this is a pretty open sectional. Palatine just beat them a couple of weeks ago and they are the 2 seed.
Darkhorse: Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
They are the 4 seed but could easily win this sectional. They have to talent They won 20 games and are dangerous here. Senior Jack Dabbs has been on a tear lately. Juniors Atticus Richmond and Aidan Bardic are two of the more talented players in the sectional.
Top possible regional final matchup:
Rolling Meadows vs Lake Zurich:
Rolling Meadows is a young team but could make a run and start here with a game vs Lake Zurich. Ian Militec has had a great junior season. Lake Zurich has a balanced squad and junior big man Anton Strelnikov could be a mismatch inside in this game.
Guilford (Rockford) Sectional:
Favorite: Warren Township (Gurnee)
Warren is the favorite but they cannot get too comfortable. None of their players have experienced a deep playoff run and they will have the bulls eye on their backs. Seniors Immanuel Brown, and Alex Daniels will have to keep the younger players focused on the task at hand and not look ahead.
Darkhorse: Guilford (Rockford)
They have home advantage and the comfort of not having to leave Rockford for regional or sectional. Seniors Malachi Johnson and Cinco Gary will be focused to win the sectional.
Top possible regional final matchup:
Warren vs Waukegan:
They would be meeting a third time, I went to see the first two matchups. Warren dominated on the road, Waukegan made a comeback in the third quarter Davis took over the fourth. Second game Warren put a running clock on Waukegan. Waukegan will be motivated and even though this a rivalry, overconfidence could creep into Warren's heads. Davis is a special freshman but will he be up to the task in playoff pressure? First time going through it as a high school player.
ISU (NORMAL) SUPER-SECTIONAL:
East (Aurora) Sectional
Favorite: Bolingbrook
Shakiest #1 seed in the state and not their fault. This sectional is ABSOLUTELY LOADED AND DEEP!!!! Toughest one in state to get out of. They have Thompson and veteran guards in Josh Aniceto, DJ Strong, and KJ Cathey all seniors. JT Pettigrew is a junior who will have to keep playing strong inside.
Dark horses: Benet Academy (Lisle), East (Oswego), Yorkville, Metea Valley (Aurora)
Benet is talented but frightenedly young and has had some inconsistency issues late in the season. East (Oswego) has been under the radar as has been their star Wyoming commit Jehvion Starwood. I'll go a little bit into Yorkville in a minute. Metea Valley is a threat to get to regional final as they have James Parker and Will Ashford as underrated talents.
Top possible regional final:
Bolingbrook at Yorkville:
Trap game for Bolingbrook. Yorkville had some early season injuries so 18-11 record is deceiving. They have Illinois commit Jason Jakstys will be huge in the paint and floating for jumpers. Senior Bryce Salek is an athletic wing who could wreck things. Jorey Boley is another under the radar player. Dayvion and Kaevian Johnson will be key in the backcourt.
NOTE: WHOMEVER WINS THIS SECTIONAL WILL HAVE DEFINITELY EARNED IT!!!! West Aurora as a 9 seed is absolutely INSANE!!!!!
Pekin Sectional
Favorite: Normal Community:
Size on the frontline and backcourt seem to have put things together. Point guard Braylon Roman is more aggressive, and the twin towers inside of Wright State commit Jaheem Webber, and Noah Cleveland are tough to contain. Junior big man Kobe Walker will have to pick it up off the bench as will starting wing guard Niko Newsome who is key to how far they get.
Dark horse: Moline, Quincy
Defending state champ has come alive late in the season with big wins over Quincy and Bradley Bourbonnais. Juniors Trey Taylor and Braden Freeman have championship rings and hope to bring that experience here. Quincy has a lot of talent in juniors Bradley Longcor III, and Keshaun Thomas on the interior. They have though lost to Moline and Collinsville who could also make noise. Senior Camden Brown offers experience.
Top possible regional final:
Moline vs Bradley Bourbonnais
I saw this matchup a few weeks ago at the Midwest Crossroads Showcase at Normal West. Tight game that Moline pulled out. Either team could win this one but Moline was effective in slowing down junior big man Nick Allen of Bradley Bourbonnais. Senior Anthony Kemp will be key here to turn the tables. To add Braden Freeman is playing against some former teammates as he spent his freshman year at Bradley Bourbonnais.
UIC (CHICAGO) Supersectional:
Rich Township (Richton Park) Sectional
Favorite: Homewood Flossmoor
They were a solid favorite till two weeks ago as they've lost twice one to an out of state team but makes them a little more vulnerable. Do not discount that Columbia commit Gianni Cobb has been deep in the playoffs before. Got his Perspectives Leadership (Chicago) team to a Class 2A Supersectional last year. They've leaned on him all season and will have to do it again.
Darkhorse: Bloom Township (Chicago Heights), Marist (Chicago)
Don't let the 16-9 record fool you. They have lost a three overtime game and a two overtime game (I was at both) to highly ranked teams Brother Rice (Chicago) and Benet Academy (Lisle) at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament. Played in a tough Southland conference so could make a long run. Marist is a 2 seed but few expect them to win the sectional as they are very young with 3 sophomores in the rotation.
Top possible regional matchup:
Marist at Thornwood (South Holland)
Marist will have to look out for this one, a regional semifinal if Thornwood wins their first game. They would be hosting the game and Marist is a young team but tested in East Suburban Catholic. They tied a school record for wins in single season. Senior Darshan Thomas will need to have them focused.
Riverside Brookfield Sectional
Favorite: Curie (Chicago)
Curie has lost one game to an Illinois opponent. They have dominated the Chicago Public League as they are City Champs. Should have no problems till a possible third matchup with Kenwood Academy (Chicago) in a sectional final, whom they just beat in the City Title Game. They beat them badly in the regular season matchup, but it's hard to beat a good team three times. They can't have overconfidence creep in.
Darkhorse: Riverside Brookfield
They are the host and they have some very good players to possibly shock everyone and win the sectional. Big man senior Stefan Cicic is a tough matchup for anyone. They will need the guards to protect the ball and hit some outside shots. If that happens look out.
Top possible regional final matchup:
Whitney Young (Chicago) vs Lincoln Park (Chicago):
This has become a nasty rivalry with one game this year. Lincoln Park finally beat them in their bandbox gym early in the season, but this would be at Whitney Young aka The Pool. Both have young teams and will be a battle royale.
NOW ARENA (HOFFMAN ESTATES):
Addison Trail (Addison) Sectional:
Favorite: Lake Park (Roselle)
They are on a roll having won 14 straight games and won their conference. They to me are still a shaky favorite because two of those wins over seeded teams in this sectional were tight games and both teams (York (Elmhurst) and Glenbard North) could reverse those results.
Dark horse: Glenbard North (Carol Stream)
The most talented team in the sectional but lost twice in close games to league rival and #1 seed Lake Park. Could turn the tables in a third meeting if given a chance. Big three of seniors JJ Hernandez, Jalen Cures, and junior Jack Schager are dangerous.
Top possible regional final:
Batavia vs Proviso East (Maywood):
Batavia is favored but Proviso East has the talent to push them. Batavia though does have home court advantage.
Maine South (Park Ridge) Sectional:
Favorite: Loyola Academy (Wilmette):
They played in a tough Chicago Catholic League Blue division. Defense as always is their calling card but may not have enough offense to win the sectional. Hence they are favorite but it is a slight favorite.
Dark horse: New Trier (Winnetka):
This team still has players who made it to the State Finals last year. This is money time and if they get to sectional they would have to play top seed Loyola Academy, who they've beaten this season though it was early in the year. They have multiple players who can get hot and hit the three at anytime.
Top possible regional final:
Glenbrook North (Northbrook) at Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)
Glenbrook North has limped into the post season losing 3 of 4 and a couple in blowout fashion. They have had some injuries to seniors Josh Fridman and Sam Lappin, but both are back. They are just not playing well at the wrong time. They have a tough one at the lower seed's homecourt and Lane Tech is very talented and criminally under seeded. Senior Shaheed Solebo, Jackson Labkon and junior big man Dalton Scantlebury will be tough to handle on the interior. Could be an upset special here.
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