Wednesday Night Regional Semis Notebook

<p>Regional semi final action was going all around the state with almost every team in the state playing on Wednesday.  PHI took in three games Niles Notre Dame vs Senn, Metamora vs Peoria Richwoods, and Joliet West vs Romeoville.  We give you our thoughts in <strong>Wednesday Night Regional Semis Notebook</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Niles Notre Dame Impresses in Opener</strong></p> <p>After having the best team in school history last year it has been a bit of an up and down season for the Dons of Niles Notre Dame.  In the regular season they were 17-13 overall.  We caught the first half of their game against Senn which they would go on to win 69-33.  If they play like this they can do some damage in the sectional.  Passed it well, ran the floor, and shot it from the perimeter.  Their star junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="939079" first="Sonny" last="Williams"] was on fire early hitting a pair of threes from the corner along with being creative handling it and getting others involved.  He found small college senior gem [player_tooltip player_id="1295473" first="Anthony" last="McGhee"] several times for scores.  McGhee is a fluid athlete on the wing with size and skill.  Clean shot and gets after it on D.  Inside we continue to like where the game of 2024 center [player_tooltip player_id="1285519" first="Stefan" last="Cicic"] is headed.  He has a bad turnover now and then but there is so much intrigue with the five man who is built like a tree.  High level area rebounder who has touch around the hoop and rim ran for several buckets.  Juniors [player_tooltip player_id="939056" first="Bryce" last="Coleman"], Sherod Dent, and Connor Mosele each contributed in the win as well.  Next up is probably Carmel which will be a tough contest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Metamora Advances on Road over Richwoods</strong></p> <p>Even when you are the clear favorite and higher seed it is always a little tricky going on the road in the state tournament to your opponent’s home court.  That is what Metamora did on Wednesday as they played at regional host Peoria Richwoods. We caught the second half of this contest where Metamora pulled away to win 77-57.  Class of 2023 forward [player_tooltip player_id="939065" first="Ethan" last="Kizer"] displayed his skill set in the second half.  He has size, length, athleticism, and projectability.  We were impressed with his passing hitting a man in the corner for a three along with finding guys on the move whether it was a long outlet or cut in the half court.  Mixed in a three and a runner in the time we were watching.  Rebounded in traffic and had a LeBron come from behind swat!  [player_tooltip player_id="1371068" first="Tyson" last="Swanson"] continues his strong season.  Scoring guard that can hit an open three and is crafty scoring around the hoop.  Swanson and Zack Schoeder are the dynamic backcourt for this squad! Kizer, Swanson, and Schroeder all had 15 points each.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Joliet West vs Romeoville Clash, Upperclassmen Guards Shine</strong></p> <p>Joliet West was without their star freshman point guard on Wednesday as Fears was is nursing an injury.  Stony Brook commit [player_tooltip player_id="1049092" first="Toby" last="Onyekonwu"] had it taken care of leading them to a 58-46 victory!  The ultra smooth combo guard who missed half the season after a transfer was magnificent!  Long and slender guard won off the bounce getting in the lane with creativity finishing in the lane with nifty finishes.  Speed and quickness plays well in transition.  Most impressive play was a coast to coast take for a score.  Really impressed with his progress as a passer making sound reads in the half court along with in transition.  He had 31 points.  His running mate [player_tooltip player_id="1210431" first="Skylar" last="Crudup"] is a great glue guy that will find a home at the small college level with his toughness and athleticism.  For Romeoville it was all about their 2023 combo guard [player_tooltip player_id="1048315" first="Troy" last="Cicero"].  The silky smooth junior has a wiry frame and was most effective winning off the bounce finding holes in the defense being slippery through traffic converting in the paint or getting fouled.  Also mixed in a few runners and mid-range shots for 20 points.  Like where his game is headed as a D1 guard.</p>