5 Takeaways: Geneva Regional Semis

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only big school regional on Tuesday night was held at Geneva.&nbsp; The host Geneva squad took on Naperville Central followed by defending state champs Glenbard West vs Glenbard North.&nbsp; Here is what all went down in <strong>5 Takeaways: Geneva Regional Semis</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Geneva Seniors Carry Team to Close Win</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>The much higher seeded team was Geneva who was also playing on their home floor.&nbsp; They could never quite get distance between them and upset minded Naperville Central until late in the game as they won 49-38.&nbsp; They were pushed by a quartet of seniors.&nbsp; Mick Lawrence led the way with 17 points.&nbsp; The 6'0” lead guard is a smooth ball handler that can create off the dribble for himself and others.&nbsp; Mixed in runners, crafty finishes, and a pair of threes while showing good passing feel.&nbsp; Good small college guard.&nbsp; Strong bodied wings [player_tooltip player_id='1266542' first='Jimmy' last='Rasmussen'] and Thomas Diamond got to the line with their strength and finished in the paint for 10 points and 11 points respectively.&nbsp; Tanner Dixon was a junk yard dog for his team scoring on put backs, pick/roll finishes, and nifty conversions for 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Naperville Central Inside/Outside Combo Keeps Team In Game</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simon Krugliakovas was primed to pull off the upset early as he opened up with a big first quarter.&nbsp; The scoring 5'10” point guard has a crisp jumper that can stretch to three along with a soft touch finishing package inside of floaters and scoop shots.&nbsp; Went for 16 points.&nbsp; Should be looked at by D3 schools.&nbsp; On the interior undersized 6'3” post Jackson First did a nice job running the floor, finishing with touch around the hoop, and even hit a three from the top of the key for 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defending 4A Champs Glenbard West Open With Win Behind Balance</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you look at the floor you don't see hardly anyone you remember from last year, but yes Glenbard West is the reigning 4A title holders.&nbsp; They graduated everyone off one of the best teams in recent state history.&nbsp; Tuesday night they opened their defense of the title against Glenbard North who gave them everything they could handle including leading by a bucket after the 3^rd.&nbsp; The fourth quarter was owned by Glenbard West as they took home the victory by a final of 54-41 outscoring GBN by 15 in the final stanza. For Glenbard West it was all about their balance.&nbsp; Haverford commit [player_tooltip player_id='1744067' first='Logan' last='Brown'] was the leader as he has been all year long.&nbsp; Skilled and strong lefty four man that has quickness, touch, and feel scoring around the hoop.&nbsp; Works well from the mid-post in, passes it, and rebounds at a high level as he netted 14 points.&nbsp; Also inside was super undersized Jack Oberhofer who has a football body.&nbsp; The big bodied five was a good area rebounder and finished when opportunities presented themselves as he had 12 points.&nbsp; The three point shooting was huge as well.&nbsp; They got a combined seven triples from Luuk Dusek, Declan Scheck, and [player_tooltip player_id='1598657' first='Bennett' last='Schwanke'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hernandez Dazzles in Last Game of Junior Season</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best player and prospect on the floor Tuesday night was without question Glenbard North 6'6” 2024 combo forward [player_tooltip player_id='1157222' first='JJ' last='Hernandez'].&nbsp; It was the best we had seen him play in his career as he was super effective with his jumper hitting a trio from beyond the arc along with a mid-range shot.&nbsp; Also crashes the offensive glass for put backs.&nbsp; The athleticism and length plays defensively blocking shots and using his length laterally.&nbsp; Also passed it well in the half court being a nice connector as he had 19 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; This squad has a couple of young prospects to track as well starting with freshman Josh Abushanab.&nbsp; The 2026 small forward is one of the top handful of freshman players in the state.&nbsp; Long and lanky small forward that is bouncy around the hoop and hit a three late for 7 points.&nbsp; Also keep tabs on 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1459000' first='Jack' last='Schager'] who is a sharp shooter that netted 8 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Night to Themselves</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kind of reminded me of the start of the covid season when Tuscola had a stand-alone night by themselves to begin their season.&nbsp; Literally no other 2A, 3A, or 4A games were held on Tuesday across the state. &nbsp;&nbsp;Smart of Geneva to host on this night and get the state's basketball focus on these four teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->