Super Sectional Preview

Monday is a big night across the state.  PHI dives into the 2A, 3A, and 4A Supers!  Don't have a subscription?  Try it out at a special discounted rate of 30% by using code “Scottburgess30”.   4A   Libertyville vs New Trier (Hoffman Estates Super)   New Trier survived with an epic win at home.  Libertyville didn't have as much problem as they won easily to advance.  The two players to watch are New Trier's [player_tooltip player_id='1215287' first='Jake' last='Fiegen'] who is headed to Cornell and Libertyville's [player_tooltip player_id='1476096' first='Aidyn' last='Boone'].  Both played together with Full Package.  Only one can advance to Champaign!   Benet vs Rockford Auburn (NIU Super)   Benet had the ultimate scare in the first round as they only beat Geneva by a point.  The team favored to get to the state title out of this side of the bracket might have had their wake up call.  Rockford Auburn handled St. Charles East by 10 in the sectional final.  Benet's experience in big games this season should be the difference led by their big 3 of [player_tooltip player_id='1215311' first='Nikola' last='Abusara'], [player_tooltip player_id='1537986' first='Brayden' last='Fagbemi'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1371085' first='Brady' last='Kunka'].  X-factor for Rockford Auburn is up and coming 2026 Amir Danforth.   Kenwood vs Downers Grove North (UIC Super)   This was looked at as the epic matchup.  Well one of the favorites advanced in Kenwood.  Downers Grove North shocked everyone with wins over Whitney Young and Hinsdale Central to reach the super.  Why not take down another giant?  Kenwood got a test in both games at the St. Rita sectional winning a close one against Bloom followed by a narrow win over Brother Rice.  Both teams are battle tested.  DGN is led by [player_tooltip player_id='1285524' first='Jack' last='Stanton'] who was phenomenal in the sectional.  [player_tooltip player_id='1215319' first='Jacob' last='Bozeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1285493' first='Jake' last='Riemer'] provide some size to contend some with Kenwood.  For the Broncos they are led by Kansas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='939050' first='Darrin' last='Ames'] along with a stellar junior group headlined by four top 20 prospects [player_tooltip player_id='1284852' first='Chris' last='Riddle'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285487' first='Calvin' last='Robins Jr'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157346' first='Jaden' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1285479' first='Isaiah' last='Green'].   Moline vs Oswego East (Illinois State Super)   Moline has completely rolled everyone all post season long.  They are living up to my prediction of being a Glenbard West type dominant team for this season.  Moline has been tested throughout the season which is helping them in March.  They are pushed by Iowa commits point guard [player_tooltip player_id='989274' first='Brock' last='Harding'] and big man [player_tooltip player_id='989265' first='Owen' last='Freeman'].  They play so well off of each other.  Oswego East recorded the minor upset over Joliet West in the sectional final.  They have a core six of seniors that proved huge with their depth in that game.  They will need it again along with a big game from Swiss army knife wing [player_tooltip player_id='1215289' first='Mekhi' last='Lowery'] to advance.   3A   St. Ignatius vs Grayslake Central (Hoffman Estates Super)   Iggy is here once again.  Up and down regular season and has struggled with injuries, but the combination of an easy path, the bracket opening up, and the play of stars [player_tooltip player_id='989270' first='Richard' last='Barron'] along with [player_tooltip player_id='1385292' first='Phoenix' last='Gill'] have them as the favorites in this one.  Grayslake Central upset Lake Forest in the sectional taking down one of the top players in 3A so they won't be afraid in the least bit of Iggy.   Simeon vs Hillcrest (UIC Super)   Next up on the Rob Smith farewell tour is Hillcrest. This game should be a war! Both teams bring D1 commits up front in [player_tooltip player_id='1048306' first='Miles' last='Rubin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048305' first='Wesley' last='Rubin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='939051' first='Darrion' last='Baker']. The game could be decided on the wings with [player_tooltip player_id='1279765' first='Quentin' last='Heady'] and [player_tooltip player_id='939068' first='Sam' last='Lewis'] matching up along with the PG battle of [player_tooltip player_id='939059' first='Jalen' last='Griffith'] vs [player_tooltip player_id='939078' first='Bryce' last='Tillery']. I expect this to be a fun and highly contested game.   Metamora vs Marmion Academy (Ottawa Super)   Marmion Academy knocked off top seeded Burlington Central with relative ease to get here.  [player_tooltip player_id='1371086' first='Anthony' last='Jabe Haith'] is an underappreciated D2 prospect who is headed to Lewis who brings smooth perimeter scoring.  Sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1048322' first='Collin' last='Wainscott'] and versatile post Trevor Roots are a pair of small college gems.  Metamora is pushed by [player_tooltip player_id='1371068' first='Tyson' last='Swanson'], Drew Tucker, and South Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='939065' first='Ethan' last='Kizer'].  They want to make it back to avenge last year's narrow loss in the state title game.   East St. Louis vs Sacred Heart Griffin (Springfield Super)   Absolutely love this matchup!  Two teams that play super hard and have dominant senior performers at the forward position.  East St. Louis has Kansas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='939073' first='Macaleab' last='Rich'] who is one of the most dominating forces in the state.  Attacks with strength off the bounce, dominant on the glass, and can hit an occasional three.  He is flanked by several big men in [player_tooltip player_id='1371071' first='Cameron' last='Boone'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1215296' first='Damarion' last='Brown'] inside.  Also has Cal State Fullerton commit [player_tooltip player_id='1537979' first='Antwan' last='Robinson'] on the perimeter and when the 3 and D wing is on they are tough to beat.  SGH has the core four returning from last year's title team.  [player_tooltip player_id='1113521' first='Zack' last='Hawkinson'] is a dominant force on the interior who was the reason they won state last year.  Powerful player on the interior that can also step out.  One of the top uncommitted prospects in the state.  Quincy commit [player_tooltip player_id='989267' first='Jake' last='Hamilton'] is a lights out sharp shooter with a smooth handle.  Mr. Big shot Air Force football signee [player_tooltip player_id='1537990' first='Keshon' last='Singleton'] runs the show at the point while their versatile x-factor is wing defender and spot up shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1476137' first='Will' last='Hamilton'].   2A   Teutopolis vs Pinckneyville (SIU Super)   We actually saw this matchup about a month ago at the Pinckneyville Shootout.  Pinckneyville won on their home floor 51-40.  Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1476144' first='Reid' last='Harriss'], [player_tooltip player_id='1431822' first='Kellen' last='Scott'], and big man Karson Konkel lead the way for Pinckneyville.  Also keep an eye on 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2321427' first='AJ' last='Keith'].  For T-Town they have a trio of upperclassmen that push them in 6'6” five man Caleb Siemer along with Brendan Niebrugge and James Niebrugge.   DePaul Prep vs Perspectives (Joliet Central Super)   These are probably the two favorites in the 2A field to take home the crown on Saturday afternoon.  DePaul Prep is finally healthy getting production from D1 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1157225' first='Payton' last='Kamin'] in the sectional.  Versatile two way big [player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] is a rim runner, shot blocker, and rebounder.  Perspectives has a ton of firepower led by [player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'], [player_tooltip player_id='1048318' first='KJ' last='Cobb'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1371072' first='Jakeem' last='Cole'].  They can flat out get up and down the floor in a hurry!  Contrasting styles should make for a fun matchup.   Rockford Lutheran vs Rockridge (Sterling Super)   Walter Hill Jr is one of the best kept secrets in Illinois.  The Rockford Lutheran guard is a bucket getter who broke into the PHI top 100 with a stellar start to his senior campaign.  Rockridge has experience in March from last year being led by senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1476134' first='Jase' last='Whiteman'] and physical sophomore post [player_tooltip player_id='1428553' first='Landon' last='Bull'].   Bloomington Central Catholic vs Pontiac   BCC has the best uncommitted prospect in the junior class in [player_tooltip player_id='1157235' first='Cole' last='Certa'].  He has helped lead his team need in the state tournament again, but wants to get over the hump and make it to Champaign.  One of the most electrifying players in the state.  Pontiac is known for their holiday tournament.  Not making runs in the state tournament.  It was said this was their best team in years and they are living up to it!

Monday is a big night across the state. PHI dives into the 2A, 3A, and 4A Supers! Don't have a subscription? Try it out at a special discounted rate of 30% by using code “Scottburgess30”.