3A State Finals Preview
The 3A state finals are set! For the most part the super sectionals went as expected with one major exception. Lincoln Way West defeated Morgan Park in one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Can they continue the magic…
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Continue ReadingThe 3A state finals are set! For the most part the super sectionals went as expected with one major exception. Lincoln Way West defeated Morgan Park in one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. Can they continue the magic at state? We give our predictions and break down the prospects to watch.
12:15 PM Peoria Manual vs Lincoln Way West
Best prospect in this game is the state’s top 2017 recruit Manual guard Da’Monte Williams (Illinois commit). His running mates in the junior class AJ Youngman and Romon Douglas-Watkins are both D1 mid-major recruits. Lincoln Way West four man Jon Marotta is one of the top uncommitted posts remaining in the senior class. Marco Pettinato is starting to make a name for himself as a junior guard.
Prediction: Peoria Manual
Manual Prospect Watch
PF LeRoy Smith (2016)
PG Devonte Keaton (2016)
PG Da’Monte Williams (2017 – Committed to Illinois)
SF Romon Douglas-Watkins (2017)
SG AJ Youngman (2017)
PG NeShawn Brooks (2017)
Lincoln Way West
PF Jon Marotta (2016)
SG Marco Pettinato (2017)
2:00 PM St. Joseph’s vs Belleville Althoff
These two teams met twice last year. The first was in an epic game at the O’Fallon Shootout and a second in the state championship. This year they match up in the semis. St. Joseph’s is led by the state’s top uncommitted prospect in power forward Nick Rakocevic. He is among the best remaining posts left nationally and a high major target. Althoff is headlined by #2 junior Jordan Goodwin along with a pair of talented D1 seniors in Brendon Gooch (SIU) and Tarkus Ferguson (UIC).
Prediction: Belleville Althoff
St. Joseph’s Prospects
PF Nick Rakocevic (2016)
PG Jason Towers (2017)
PF Lavon Thomas (2017)
PG Armone Elem (2017)
PF Jordan Boyd (2018)
SG Joffari Brown (2018)
SF Jalen Boyd (2018)
PG Ahmad Muhammad (2018)
PG Marquise Walker (2019)
Belleville Althoff Prospects
PG Tarkus Ferguson (2016 – UIC)
SF Brendon Gooch (2016 – SIU)
SG Jordan Goodwin (2017)
SF Marvin Bateman (2017)
PG CJ Coldon (2017)