5 Takeaways: Central Illinois Regional Finals
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Regional Champions were crowned across the state on Friday night in all four classes. PHI took in a pair of games in central Illinois. First was a battle of Peoria as Richwoods clashed with Manual. That was followed by a…
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Continue ReadingRegional Champions were crowned across the state on Friday night in all four classes. PHI took in a pair of games in central Illinois. First was a battle of Peoria as Richwoods clashed with Manual. That was followed by a matchup between the top two available big men in the 2024 class as Normal Community played Yorkville at Pekin High School. We dive into it all here in 5 Takeaways: Central Illinois Regional Finals!
Richwood Depth Shines Again in Regional Victory
In the Peoria Regional Championship it was Richwoods vs Manual. Richwoods was without their star Artavious Smith early in the game with foul trouble. They got just enough from everyone in a balanced effort that saw five guys score at least nine points as they won 64-56. Jaivyn Moore brought toughness and athleticism slashing and scoring 10 points in transition. Greg Burnside hit mid-range jumpers for days netting 12 points. Sabari Qattum was an x-factor as a skilled undersized post hitting baseline jumpers, scoring in the pick/roll, and passing for 9 points. Jared Jackson Jared Jackson 6'3" | SG Peoria Richwoods | 2024 State IL closed it out at the line late as he had 9 points. Despite the early foul trouble Artavious Smith still scored 11 points giving his team a huge lift with his athleticism.
Manual Comes So Close
There were several times in this game where it looked like things were going to go Manuals way. They own the regionals in Peoria usually with their rich basketball history. Big bodied 6’5” center Louis Bailey went to work early and often for Manual notching 12 points carving out space and finishing with touch. Major force especially in the first half. Devonte Burse Devonte Burse 5'10" | PG Peoria Manual Academy | 2023 IL stepped up big with his pull up game from three along with hitting them off the catch for 13 points. Star Gerron Trapps Gerron Trapps 6'1" | PG Peoria Manual Academy | 2023 IL didn’t have his best outing, but still managed 10 points. Like the upside of 2025 Dietrich Richardson Dietrich Richardson 6'6" | PG Peoria Manual | 2025 State #177 Nation IL who is a long and wiry wing that showed some slashing pop in a 6 point outing.
Roman Shows He is D1 Guard in 1st Half of Normal Win
While most were focused on the battle of titans inside in Yorkville vs Normal Community it was another junior that stepped up. Normal Community top 30 junior Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL said this was going to be his night to shine! The slick handling two guard did just that winning off the bounce slithering through the defense over and over for and-1s. Cut off the ball for layups, hit a pair of threes, and also showed passing feel as a secondary ball handler. Scored 27 points displaying he is a no doubt D1 prospect. Normal Community handled Yorkville 61-45.
Top 10 Junior Posts Battle
The real intrigue of the game came as the #6 junior Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL (Yorkville) and #7 junior Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL (Normal Community) were matched up. They happen to be the top uncommitted posts in the class. First neither one of them guarded each other straight up very much. There were a few and some help situations. Let’s start with Normal Community’s Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL . He had 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block, and 4 dimes. Early on in the game it seemed as if he was struggling against the length Yorkville had inside including Jakstys from the help side. Got a couple offensive rebounds, but couldn’t finish. As the game went on especially in the second half he settled in. Confidence got going with a big dunk on an out of bounds play. That was followed up by a baseline spin and another reverse layup. Hit his free throws down the stretch as well. Strong rebounder that snatches them with two hands. We were very impressed with his passing instincts out of the post finding shooters and cutters. The mobility is going to be the question here, but as a mid-major big man he is a good looking physical throwback five man.
On the other side Yorkville’s Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL is a long and wiry five that is more of a face up prospect with room to fill out physically. The skilled showed through on a pair of right handed hook shots, jab step/mid-range jumper, and a reverse layup. Also altered several of Webber’s shots early in the game with his length. Not a ton else from him as he had 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 1 steal. Definitely has a high ceiling and is primed for a breakout summer as he recently scored a pair of mid-major offers.
Contrast in Location/Matchups
Very big contrast in matchups in terms of locations and teams playing in the two games I saw on Friday night. The first was a pair of Peoria teams from the same conference playing in the city at a neutral site. Crazy atmosphere. The second had a solid crowd, but there wasn’t a ton of juice as it was two teams that are from 90 miles away from each other playing at a site 45 minutes from one school and over two hours from the other. Without question cool to see them play because of the talent, but very odd pairing in a regional to say the least.