Top Prospects: Lane Tech vs. OPRF (Playoffs)

<p>In Illinois state playoff play, No. 10 Lane Tech defeated No. 7 OPRF 48-40. With the 4A regional semifinal win, Lane Tech moved on to play Simeon. </p> <p>Both teams have a number of players in the PrepHoops rankings. How did the top prospects perform in this matchup?</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="920941" first="Isaiah" last="Barnes"] (2021 #9) | OPRF</h3> <p>The key to the game was Barnes getting scratched from the lineup with a knee injury. Coach Matt Maloney said that Barnes’ knee buckled on a foul during the regular-season finale against Morton. Maloney said it should be a short recovery process and that they expect Barnes to be back on the court in the next week or two – good news heading into AAU season.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="920955" first="Joshua" last="Smith"] (2021 #38) | OPRF</h3> <p>With Barnes out, Smith was asked to do more than he normally would offensively for the Huskies, and the Lane Tech was able to collapse on him. At times he looked like he could take over the game, but ultimately he struggled in this one: 10 points on 3-for-15 shooting from the field with 5 turnovers.</p> <p>Still, you can see what makes him a D1 prospect (he received his latest offer from Wisconsin-Green Bay last week). He’s got a tight handle and quick first step that lets him get into the lane whenever he wants. When he’s one-on-one near the basket, he can finish through contact. He hit two of his six threes, one from quite deep. At 6-3, he’s got good size for a guard, and he has the frame to add more strength as he goes.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="569460" first="Justin" last="Cross"] (2021 #55) | OPRF</h3> <p>Cross is a 6-7 big who really impressed against Lane Tech. He had four blocks before halftime, and the Indians had to change things offensively in the second half to pull Cross away from the basket. He finished with seven rebounds on the night and added a steal.</p> <p>On the offensive end, he played a minimal role in the first half, but as the Huskies fell behind he moved into a playmaking role and showed some flashes I didn’t expect. He only had five points, but two came off a Eurostep and finger roll in transition. It was possibly the most athletic play of the night by any player. He also had good court vision, both breaking the press and in the half court, finishing with a pair of assists. He’s attending prep school next year and certainly should be playing at the next level. Coach Maloney called Cross one of the "best leaders" he’d ever coached.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="920970" first="Aaron" last="McQueen"] (2021 #66) | Lane Tech</h3> <p>With Barnes out, Lane Tech had the size advantage and it started with McQueen. The 6-5 forward was the strongest player on the court, and he caused issues all game. He finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. In the first half he was the Indians’ best offensive player; down the stretch he hit four straight free throws to help ice the game.</p> <p>McQueen can definitely play around the basket, but his ability to pop out and hit from outside impressed. He missed his only three, but he hit some midrange jumpers that showed a good, if mechanical, stroke. Defensively he moves his feet well and has the ability to close space and contest shots if he’s beaten or in help defense. McQueen was definitely among the top players on the court in the win.</p> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="916739" first="Louis" last="Perona"] (2020 #128) | Lane Tech</h3> <p>Perona deserves the MVP for this win. The senior captain seemed to do whatever was necessary for Lane Tech, whenever they needed it. In the first half he scored just three points, but he had seven rebounds and two blocks. He was instrumental in helping break the OPRF press, which Maloney said had helped the Huskies see 15-plus steals per game in recent weeks. And in the third quarter when OPRF took a lead, Perona turned up his offensive game. He had nine points in the second half, including a buzzer-beating three to end the third quarter that completely took the wind out of OPRF and electrified the Lane Tech home crowd.</p> <p>Perona’s final line: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, steal. He was everywhere. He absolutely swallows up everything on the glass. He’s got active hands when players drive to the basket. He wasn’t the focal point offensively, but he plays incredibly calm and under control with the ball in his hands. When he did drive to the basket, it was methodical and he finished at the rim through contact. </p>