Fab Five: 4A Championship- Whitney Young vs Simeon
Final (OT) : Whitney Young (60) – Simeon (50)
In their third matchup of the year, Whitney Young faced Simeon in Peoria for the class 4A championship. This was a matchup of two Chicago powerhouses with rich basketball tradition. Both teams would start out hot as Simeon’s Evan Gilyard and Whitney Young’s Justin Boyd both traded three pointers in the 1st quarter. Gilyard would lead all scorers at the half with 16 points. Simeon took a 29-22 lead into halftime. Whitney Young would come out aggressive in the 2nd half and the hot shooting continued for Justin Boyd as well as Lucas Williamson who knocked down several big three pointers to give Whitney Young the lead midway through the 3rd. In the fourth quarter teams would trade baskets back and forth and force overtime. In overtime, it was all Whitney Young as they went on a 10-0 run to cap the victory in the 4A Championship. Here are the Fab Five: Whitney Young vs Simeon
MVP:
G-Lucas Williamson- Whitney Young (2017)
Lucas Williamson finished off a stellar all-state season with a dynamic performance in the championship. The senior lead the charge for Whitney Young in the second half. He shot the ball extremely well from deep knocking down 5-6. With Whitney Young trailing after the half. Williamson hit three triples in the 3rd quarter to give WY some momentum and the lead. Williamson was often tasked with playing in the post due to Whitney Young’s lack of size, but he had no problem playing inside where he grabbed 9 rebounds. Williamson finished the game with 19 points 9 rebounds and 2 steals in the victory.
Offensive Performance:
G-Evan Gilyard-Simeon (2017)
The UTEP commit got out of the gates with a hot start knocking down two threes’ in the 1st quarter. In the second quarter, he dropped 10 points, often getting to the rim and finishing some tough shots. He sparked Simeon in the 1st half giving them a 29-22 lead at the half scoring 16 points. Gilyard finished with 16 points for the game for Simeon.
Top Shooter:
G-Justin Boyd-Whitney Young (2018)
The junior sharpshooter Justin Boyd knocked down 5 three pointers in the game for a 4A Championship record that he’ll share with teammate Lucas Williamson. He shoots with confidence and nice mechanics on his shot. He knocked down two three pointers to start the game and continued his hot shooting throughout the game. Boyd started the 10-0 run in overtime with another big three to start the run for Whitney Young and help them take the crown. Boyd will be a prospect to track this summer on the circuit especially if he continues he sharpshooting from three. He finished with 17 points 4 rebounds and 0 turnovers.
Defensive Performance:
F-Messiah Jones- Simeon (2018)
Jones has been a constant for Simeon all year on the defensive end. He is slightly undersized but has a knack for getting in position and controlling the boards. Has a good second jump and is athletic, blocks shots without fouling, and plays with a high motor. Jones grabbed a game high 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes due to foul trouble. Jones also finished with 6 points and 2 blocks.
Top Passer:
G-Xavier Castaneda-Whitney Young (2018)
The junior lead guard dished out 9 assist in the game. Castaneda’s assist to turnover ratio was fantastic only turning the ball over two times in 32 minutes played. Castaneda often found teammates out on the break for open looks, and did a great job finding his hot shooters Williamson and Boyd for open looks from three. Castaneda finished with 8 points 9 assist and 3 rebounds. Look for the junior to have a breakout season distributing the ball out on the grassroots circuit.
Play of the game:
Javon Freeman had a monster one handed slam through the lane and over a Simeon defender. Freeman at 6’3 is an athletic guard who can play above the rim and make plays.