Let's hope that state playoffs will be completed this season after not being so the last two seasons. Some possible intriguing matchups in each class and as usual the state playoffs are exciting. I may be biased but the state that created March Madness has the best playoff system in America. This season is completely wide open and a lot of young teams could break through and get to Champaign. I'll do Class 4A. Seeding has not happened yet, but I think these teams will probably go through. Yes there are always upsets, that's why it's called "America's Original March Madness". Here we go:
Class 4A Supersectionals
CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO SUPERSECTIONAL:
TBA:
Looking at the teams in this one Whitney Young(Chicago) should be a slight favorite with Curie(Chicago) not a pushover. These teams could match up in the Chicago Public League playoffs a few weeks before this possible sectional matchup, likely a Final. Young has a bunch of 6'6" to 6'8" athletic wings. Seniors AJ Casey(Miami,FL) and Xavier Amos(Northern Illinois) could cause big time problems for everyone in the Sectional. Curie only has one senior in the rotation which could cause problems for them. Curie guards senior Phoenix Bullock and sophomore Carlos Harris will be key in Sectional play.
Dark Horses:
Oak Park River Forest(wing duo senior Denver commit Justin Mullins and junior Sam Lewis)
Proviso East(Maywood)(Johnson brothers Jaloni(senior) and Javoni(junior)
South Holland(Thornwood):
Lots of young teams in this Sectional. Kenwood Academy(Chicago) will be the favorite but not as heavy as you think. There are a bunch of other contenders who can knock them off. Coaching will be key for every team and especially in this Sectional. Junior's Darrin "Dai Dai" Ames and Davius Loury will be key. Senior Nevada commit Trey Pettigrew will have to provide leadership to get to Supersectional and possibly to Champaign.
Dark Horses:
Bloom(Chicago Heights)- Cobb brothers(KJ and sophomore Gianni will be key)
Brother Rice(Chicago)- Another young team but junior guard Ahmad Henderson II can control games. Dangerous in a one and done scenario.
St Rita(Chicago)- Talented young team that is dangerous with sophomore big men duo of James Brown and Illinois commit Morez Johnson Jr.
TBA SUPERSECTIONAL:
Barrington:
Barrington will be favorite as they are the host. This is a very wide open Sectional with Stevenson(Lincolnshire), Prospect(Mt Prospect) and Libertyville having cases to get to Supersectional.
Glenbrook South( Glenview):
Glenbrook South will be a huge favorite as the Sectional is on their home floor at the Titan Dome. This is the year for them to have it as they have an outstanding team. Senior forward Elon commit Nick Martinelli is the best player in the Sectional, and senior guard Cornell commit Cooper Noard is not far behind. Junior guard RJ Davis will have to be a consistent third scorer for this team to live up to their dreams. New Trier(Winnetka) with Dartmouth commit Jackson Munro inside with juniors Jack Fiegen and Noah Shannon knocking down threes could get to Supersectional.
Dark horses:
Rolling Meadows- Young team but senior guard Orlando Thomas and junior guard Cameron Christie are a dangerous combination but no playoff success so far. This group has not won a playoff game yet.
Evanston Township- talented but lacks experience. Seniors Rashawn Bost and David Gieser will have to carry team for them to go far.
NORMAL ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY SUPERSECTIONAL:
Collinsville:
Lots of teams can win this one Collinsville, Bradley Bourbonnais has the top player(Junior Iowa commit Owen Freeman), Normal, and Edwardsville.
Oswego:
Bolingbrook and Oswego East will be favored in this one. The Brook has senior big man Michael Osei-Bonsu who can dominate the Sectional. Oswego East has senior wing Patrick Robinson who is a do it all player.
Dark horses:
West Aurora- Sophomore guard Joshua Pickett and senior forward Ty Rogers.
Lincoln Way East- plays tough team oriented basketball.
DEKALB NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY SUPERSECTIONAL:
Bartlett:
Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn) is a huge favorite in this one. Senior laden team is hungry and this is their one shot to make history for their team, school, and community in basketball. Not unbeatable but would take a herculean effort for them not to win this one. Top player in the state senior Gonzaga commit Braden Huff is a mis match nightmare.
Dark horses:
Wheaton Warrenville South- No big time talents, but plays well together, makes the extra pass, and applies full court pressure the entire game. Senior Rourke Robinson scores from outside, while senior Tyler Fawcett does a little bit of everything.
Benet Academy(Lisle)- Well coached, has good shooters all over the court, hits the boards hard and is always a tough out in the playoffs.
Huntley:
Larkin(Elgin) is a huge favorite in this one. Not a lot of size, but they put a lot of pressure on the opponent and speed up the game. Senior guard North Dakota State commit Damari Wheeler-Thomas is the below for this team along with senior guard Fernando Perez Jr.
Dark horses:
DeKalb, Huntley, and Auburn(Rockford) and Boylan(Rockford).
Supersectional predictions:
UIC: Whitney Young(Chicago) vs Kenwood Academy(Chicago)
TBA: Barrington vs Glenbrook South(Glenview)
ILLINOIS STATE: Bradley Bourbonnais vs Bolingbrook
DEKALB: Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn) vs Larkin(Elgin)
State Semfinals(CHAMPAIGN)
Whitney Young(Chicago) vs Glenbrook South(Glenview)
Bolingbrook vs Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn)
Championship Game(CHAMPAIGN)
Whitney Young(Chicago) vs Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn)
CLASS 4A State Champ
Glenbard West(Glen Ellyn)
I won't predict that they will go undefeated because it would be tough to beat Whitney Young twice, but no more than 2 losses for the Hilltoppers.
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