3A State Tournament Preview
The state tournament is almost here! The 3A and 4A playoffs will be getting underway this week. We begin with our preview of the 3A Illinois State Tournament and our picks! Tournament Favorite There are a limited number of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe state tournament is almost here! The 3A and 4A playoffs will be getting underway this week. We begin with our preview of the 3A Illinois State Tournament and our picks!
Tournament Favorite
There are a limited number of teams that could win this 3A tournament, but at the same time there isn’t one overwhelming favorite. Out of Chicago Bogan, Morgan Park, DePaul Prep, and St. Viator could all make runs at the title. Springfield Southeast is clearly the team to beat from central Illinois. From the southern part of the state East St. Louis brings a lot of talent from the metro east. We would be shocked if the winner doesn’t come from one of these six teams.
Best Potential Defining Games in Tournament
North Lawndale vs Walter Payton Prep in North Lawndale Sectional Final
St. Viator vs DePaul Prep in Grayslake Central Sectional Final
Morgan Park vs Bogan/St. Laurence in St. Laurence Sectional Final
Springfield Southeast vs Champaign Central in Southeast Sectional Semi
East St. Louis vs Springfield Southeast in Springfield Super Sectional
5 Questions
Who Survives St. Laurence Sectional?
The St. Laurence Sectional will feature three teams with a chance to make a deep run in this tournament, but only one of them will even get to the super sectional. Morgan Park is the favorite, but they will also have their CPS rival Bogan in there where they could matchup in a sectional final. Host St. Laurence has had their best season in a while and is a threat to either of these teams in a one and out scenario.
Can Morgan Park Three Peat?
No doubt that the Mustangs can go all the way once again. They have the best player in the field in Adam Miller. They are on a roll after their play the second half of the season and in the city playoffs. A lot of momentum heading into the tournament.
What Stars Will Step Up?
The 3A field isn’t quite as loaded as 4A, but there are still some highly ranked prospects with the chance to make a statement in March. Some of the guys to watch include Adam Miller (Morgan Park), Terrence Hargrove (East St. Louis), Jeremiah Hernandez (St. Viator), Rashaun Agee (Bogan), Perry Cowan (DePaul Prep), Isaiah Rivera (Geneseo), Jeremiah Williams (St. Laurence), and Terrion Murdix (Springfield Southeast).
Who are the Best Unsigned Seniors?
The top uncommitted 2019 prospect in the 3A field is Bogan power forward Rashaun Agee. He has been a dominant force throughout the season and that should continue in March. Should be a priority mid-major target. Other top unsigned seniors include Landon Wolfe (Effingham), CJ Benton (De La Salle), Demetrius Douglas (North Lawndale), Achaun Clinton (North Chicago), Austin Freeman (St. Patrick’s), Raheem Anthony (DePaul Prep), Johnny Roeser (Carmel), Chris Roberts (Morgan Park), Josh Redic (Mt. Carmel), Jordan Booker (Bogan), Dylan West (Hillcrest), TJ Wicks (Kankakee), Richard Robinson (East St. Louis), Elijah Rice (East St. Louis), Aly Keyes (Mascoutah), Michael Tyler (Springfield Southeast), Jermaine Hamlin (Lincoln), Cortez Mosley (Richwoods), and Payton Havens (Metamora).
What is Easiest Sectional?
We would go with a tie of the Marengo Sectional and Peoria Sectional which will play each other in a super sectional game in DeKalb for the right to go to Peoria.
Predictions
Regional Finals
Farragut over Urban Prep
Walter Payton over De La Salle
North Lawndale over St. Joseph’s
Westinghouse over Phillips
St. Viator over North Chicago
St. Patrick over Grayslake Central
DePaul Prep over Ridgewood
Carmel over Steinmetz
Morgan Park over King
Mt. Carmel over Lindbloom
Bogan over Brooks
St. Laurence over Vocational
Ottawa over Sandwich
Oak Forest over Rich Central
Hillcrest over Thornridge
Kankakee over Normal U-High
East St. Louis over Breese Central
Althoff over Columbia
Mascoutah over Carbondale
Salem over Highland
Springfield Southeast over Jersey
Champaign Central over Mattoon
Olney over Urbana
Lincoln over Taylorville
Johnsburg over Rockford Lutheran
West Chicago over Burlington Central
Glenbard South over Montini
Marengo over Woodstock
Rock Falls over Sterling
Manual over Metamora
Peoria Notre Dame over Peoria Richwoods
Galesburg over Geneseo
Sectional Semis
Farragut over Walter Payton
North Lawndale over Westinghouse
St. Viator over St. Patrick
DePaul Prep over Carmel
Morgan Park over Mt. Carmel
Bogan over St. Laurence
Ottawa over Oak Forest
Hillcrest over Kankakee
East St. Louis over Althoff
Mascoutah over Salem
Springfield Southeast over Champaign Central
Lincoln over Olney
Johnsburg over West Chicago
Glenbard South over Marengo
Manual over Rock Falls
Peoria Notre Dame over Galesburg
Sectional Finals
Farragut over North Lawndale
St. Viator over DePaul Prep
Morgan Park over Bogan
Hillcrest over Ottawa
East St. Louis over Mascoutah
Springfield Southeast over Lincoln
Johnsburg over Glenbard South
Peoria Notre Dame over Manual
Super Sectional
St. Viator over Farragut
Morgan Park over Hillcrest
East St. Louis over Springfield Southeast
Peoria Notre Dame over Johnsburg
Final Four
Morgan Park over St. Viator
East St. Louis over Peoria Notre Dame
Championship
Morgan Park over East St. Louis