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 Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL who is headed to Cornell and Libertyville’s Aidyn Boone Aidyn Boone 6'5" | C Libertyville | 2023 State IL .  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 Nikola Abusara Nikola Abusara 6'5" | SF Benet | 2023 State IL , Brayden Fagbemi Brayden Fagbemi 5'11" | PG Benet | 2023 State IL , and Brady Kunka Brady Kunka 6'3" | SG Benet | 2023 State IL .  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 Jack Stanton Jack Stanton 6'2" | SG Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL who was phenomenal in the sectional.  Jacob Bozeman Jacob Bozeman 6'5" | PF Downers Grove North | 2023 State IL and Jake Riemer Jake Riemer 6'6" | C Downers Grove North | 2024 State IL provide some size to contend some with Kenwood.  For the Broncos they are led by Kansas State commit Darrin Ames Darrin Ames 6'1" | PG Kenwood | 2023 State #99 Nation IL along with a stellar junior group headlined by four top 20 prospects Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #163 Nation IL , Calvin Robins Jr Calvin Robins Jr 6'5" | PF Kenwood | 2024 State IL , Jaden Smith Jaden Smith 6'9" | C Kenwood | 2024 State #249 Nation IL , and Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'0" | PG Kenwood | 2024 State IL .

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 Brock Harding Brock Harding 6'0" | PG Moline | 2023 State #222 Nation IL and big man Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL .  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 Mekhi Lowery Mekhi Lowery 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2023 State IL 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 Richard Barron Richard Barron 6'5" | SF St. Ignatius | 2023 State IL along with Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'2" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State IL 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 Miles Rubin Miles Rubin 6'7" | PF Simeon | 2023 State #243 Nation IL , Wesley Rubin Wesley Rubin 6'8" | PF Simeon | 2023 State IL , and Darrion Baker Darrion Baker 6'8" | PF Hillcrest | 2023 State #227 Nation IL .  The game could be decided on the wings with Quentin Heady Quentin Heady 6'5" | SF Hillcrest | 2023 State IL and Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Simeon | 2023 State IL matching up along with the PG battle of Jalen Griffith Jalen Griffith 5'10" | PG Simeon | 2023 State IL vs Bryce Tillery Bryce Tillery 5'10" | PG Hillcrest | 2023 State IL .  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.  Anthony Jabe Haith Anthony Jabe Haith 6'4" | SG Marmion Academy | 2023 State IL is an underappreciated D2 prospect who is headed to Lewis who brings smooth perimeter scoring.  Sharp shooter Collin Wainscott Collin Wainscott 6'2" | PG Marmion Academy | 2023 State IL and versatile post Trevor Roots are a pair of small college gems.  Metamora is pushed by Tyson Swanson Tyson Swanson 6'2" | SG Metamora | 2023 State IL , Drew Tucker, and South Alabama commit Ethan Kizer Ethan Kizer 6'6" | SF Metamora | 2023 State IL .  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 Macaleab Rich Macaleab Rich 6'4" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State #261 Nation IL 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 Cameron Boone Cameron Boone 6'8" | C East St. Louis | 2023 State IL and Damarion Brown Damarion Brown 6'7" | C East St. Louis | 2023 State IL inside.  Also has Cal State Fullerton commit Antwan Robinson Antwan Robinson 6'5" | SF East St. Louis | 2023 State IL 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.  Zack Hawkinson Zack Hawkinson 6'4" | PF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL 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 Jake Hamilton Jake Hamilton 6'3" | SG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL is a lights out sharp shooter with a smooth handle.  Mr. Big shot Air Force football signee Keshon Singleton Keshon Singleton 6'2" | PG Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL runs the show at the point while their versatile x-factor is wing defender and spot up shooter Will Hamilton Will Hamilton 6'3" | SF Sacred Heart Griffin | 2023 State IL .

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 Reid Harriss Reid Harriss 6'4" | PF Pinckneyville | 2023 State IL , Kellen Scott Kellen Scott 6'3" | PF Pinckneyville | 2023 IL , and big man Karson Konkel lead the way for Pinckneyville.  Also keep an eye on 2025 AJ 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 Payton Kamin Payton Kamin 6'8" | SG Worcester Academy | 2025 NLG in the sectional.  Versatile two way big Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL is a rim runner, shot blocker, and rebounder.  Perspectives has a ton of firepower led by Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL , KJ Cobb KJ Cobb 6'0" | SG Perspectives | 2023 State IL , and Jakeem Cole Jakeem Cole 6'0" | PG Perspectives | 2023 State IL .  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 Jase Whiteman Jase Whiteman 6'1" | SG Rockridge | 2023 State IL and physical sophomore post Landon Bull Landon Bull 6'3" | PF Rockridge | 2025 IL .

Bloomington Central Catholic vs Pontiac

BCC has the best uncommitted prospect in the junior class in Cole Certa Cole Certa 6'4" | SG Bloomington Central Catholic | 2024 #127 Nation FL .  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!