1A & 2A State Semis Notebook

The IHSA 1A and 2A State Semis were on Thursday.  Let’s dive into it with 1A and 2A State Semis Notebook!  Don’t have a subscription?  Try it out at a special discounted rate of 30% by using code “Scottburgess30”.

Gibault Catholic Takes Care of Business in Opener to Advance in 1A

The first game of the state finals was a 1A semi which saw Gibault Catholic defeat Cornerstone Christian Academy 70-46.  Gibault Catholic controlled throughout, but took it to another gear in the 3^rd quarter blowing this one open.  Kameron Hanvey is a senior guard committed to Blackburn College that showed he could be a playmaker as a passer recording 14 points and 9 dimes.  Got his teammates the ball on cuts and made sound decisions with the ball.  Crafty three level scorer that got to the rim, hit from 15 feet, and made a three.  Kaden Augustine was their top scorer with 20 points.  The senior two guard did the majority of his damage in the paint as he cut really hard off the ball to the basket and was good at making tough layups.  Also hit a couple jumpers.   Gavin Kesler is a great glue guy for this team as he rebounds and gets put backs recording 10 points.

For Cornerstone Christian Academy Austin Henard was the story.  The senior slick handling lead guard was good off the bounce finishing with nifty conversions at the rim.  Got out in transition and showed some burst with the ball scoring 17 points.  Jackson Barber had 12 points as the rangy small forward ran the floor and posted up.

Scales Mound Takes Second 1A Semi Over Tuscola

This game was not the most beautifully played game to say the least.  In the first half both teams combined to shoot 18% from the field.  The second half was a little better, but not much.  Scales Mound won the game 39-27 as they got a quick lead in the third quarter and carried it through the end.  Their leading scorer was senior guard Thomas Hereau who had 11 points.  Gritty guard that gets to the line.  I was most impressed from a prospect standpoint was 6’8” 2023 center Dylan Slavenburg who came off the bench to score 7 points and grab 7 rebounds.  Ran the floor hard, hit a corner three, and rebounded in his area.

Tuscola got some shot making in the second half from sophomore 5’8” guard Kam Sweetnam draining a pair of threes for 8 points.  Most talented prospect 2024 Jordan Quinn has nice size at 6’3” and a good frame.  Struggled shooting from distance, but managed 6 points on junk buckets around the hoop.

DePaul Prep Cruises in Semi to 2A Title Game

It was clear from the beginning of this game that DePaul Prep was the better team and they stretched the lead out in the second half winning easily 45-17 winning the first 2A semi over Teutopolis.  What a difference it makes having a pair of potential D1 players back in 2024s Payton Kamin Payton Kamin 6'8" | SG Worcester Academy | 2025 NLG and Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL .  Kamin is a long and lanky wing with size that shot it well early off movement and put it on the deck for 6 points.  McElroy dominated on both ends of the floor.  He used his athleticism for reverse layups, mid-range jumpers, and multiple dunks.  Underrated passing feel for a big man.  Defensively his mobility shined through and was a rim protector and rebounder.  Went for 10 points.  Their leading scorer in the game was Maurice Thomas Maurice Thomas 6'1" | PG DePaul Prep | 2023 State IL .  The uncommitted senior scoring lead guard was dynamic knocking down threes and putting defenders in spin cycles off the bounce for 16 points.  PJ Chambers is an emerging name in 2024 that showed flashes as the two guard netted 7 points.  Also have to mention Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL who ran the show at the point and the sophomore floor general has such an excellent feel for getting others involved.

For Teutopolis it was a tough game.  They set the record for lowest scoring game in 2A history.  Only real factor in this one was James Niebrugge who scored 8 points.  Tough scoring guard that should find a home at the small college level.

Bloomington Central Catholic Gets Balanced Effort in Semi Win

The second 2A semifinal saw another lower scoring contest and defensive battle.  Bloomington Central Catholic defeated Rockridge 57-44.  It was a slow start for BCC’s star Cole Certa Cole Certa 6'4" | SG Bloomington Central Catholic | 2024 #127 Nation FL only scoring three points in the first half, but he got it going in the second scoring 16 of his game high 19 points in the second half.  Hit a couple of his threes with range, posted up, and got out in transition for dunks.  Also impacted the game in other ways with screens, rebounding, taking charges, passing, and getting blocked shots.  Inside Colin Hayes Colin Hayes 6'6" | PF Bloomington Central Catholic | 2024 State IL had his usual workman like effort scoring 10 points while playing physical and using good angles to score while rebounding at a good clip.  Their backcourt of Chase Fisher (11 points), Trey Eller (9 points), and Rye Prirtz (9 points) all played huge parts in the win.

Rockridge sophomore Landon Bull Landon Bull 6'3" | PF Rockridge | 2025 IL is such a physical 6’4” player.  He almost operates as a small ball four flashing some perimeter game.  He loves to play with power finishing through contact and getting the most of his ability with a high-motor.  Went for 17 points.  Senior guard Jase Whiteman Jase Whiteman 6'1" | SG Rockridge | 2023 State IL is a legit small college prospect netting 8 points.  Sophomore two guard Caleb Cunico opened our eyes as a legit shooter with size at 6’3” netting 10 points in the loss.