5 Key Questions: Belleville West vs Belleville East

<p>It was a battle of Belleville on Wednesday night in the regional semis.  Belleville West was the higher seed, but Belleville East hosted the game.  The Lancers were without star 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="863591" first="Braxton" last="Stacker"], but they kept it close throughout narrowly falling to Belleville West by the final of 46-44.  Here are our <strong>5 Key Questions: Belleville West vs Belleville East</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What Kind of Night Did Standout 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="920952" first="Tommie" last="Williams"] Have?</strong></p> <p>The only key returning player from last year’s Belleville West state title team is junior <strong>Tommie</strong> <strong>Williams</strong>.  The 6’3” shooting guard is at his best when he is in attack mode getting downhill whether it be in half court or transition.  Did that on an array of drives along with a nice spin move on the baseline.  Rebounds pretty well for a guard.  Didn’t shoot it particularly well.  He had 12 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What Level Can 2020 [player_tooltip player_id="916750" first="Greg" last="Wells"] Play?</strong></p> <p>Belleville West got a monster second half from their star senior <strong>Greg</strong> <strong>Wells</strong>.  The Althoff transfer has stepped in as the other primary scorer for this team.  He plays bigger than his 6’2” height with his excellent length.  Plus shooter with a feather stroke out to beyond the three point arc.  Hit a number of them in this game along with runners and put backs.  Sneaky D2 candidate with how he has come on as a senior, but would be a high level D3 prospect at the next level.  Finished with 15 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>How Far Can Belleville West Go?</strong></p> <p>Can the Maroons make it back to Peoria for the three peat?  It is going to be really difficult.  They are going to need another strong defensive effort like they got tonight.  <strong>Keli’I Price</strong> and <strong>Ruben Howell</strong> both made key plays in the fourth with Price hitting a clutch three and Howell scoring the game winning points on an and-1.  Belleville West will now face the best team in the metro east all season Collinsville for the regional championship.  They will get that game in their home town.  It will be a tall task taking down the Kahoks, but Belleville West hasn’t lost a state playoff game since 2018.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Who Led Way for Belleville East?</strong></p> <p>The Lancers were without their best player [player_tooltip player_id="863591" first="Braxton" last="Stacker"].  At this time still not quite sure why he didn’t play.  A pair of veterans stepped up in <strong>Bryson</strong> <strong>Ivy</strong> and <strong>Eric</strong> <strong>Wade</strong>.  Ivy is an undersized guard that is always around the basketball and makes the most out of what he has.  Plays tough around the hoop.  He had 7 points.  Eric Wade is a lengthy senior 6’3” forward that plays in the post.  Good defender and runs the floor hard.  He had 10 points.  Freshman standout <strong>Jordan</strong> <strong>Pickett</strong> showed flashes.  Broad shouldered 6’1” shooting guard scores with force when getting downhill.  Also hit a three for 9 points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What is the Future for Lancers?</strong></p> <p>They will return three players that will play at the scholarship level in college next season.  <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="920960" first="Ethyn" last="Brown"]</strong> didn’t have his best night, but he is a solid floor general.  [player_tooltip player_id="863591" first="Braxton" last="Stacker"] is one of the most explosive wings in the sophomore class.  [player_tooltip player_id="939071" first="Jordan" last="Pickett"] has his best basketball ahead of him.  Those three along with Ivy should make a strong core for next year!</p>