Regional Semis: Around the State Recaps Pt 1
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It was a massive night of basketball on Wednesday with double headers going on in all four classes! A lot of info to digest! Don’t worry as PHI has the breakdown for you with top performers from everywhere in every…
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Continue ReadingIt was a massive night of basketball on Wednesday with double headers going on in all four classes! A lot of info to digest! Don’t worry as PHI has the breakdown for you with top performers from everywhere in every class! Check it out in Regional Semis: Around the State Recaps Pt 1!
Stefan Cicic Stefan Cicic 7'0" | C Riverside Brookfield | 2024 State IL , Steven Brown Steven Brown 6'1" | PG Riverside Brookfield | 2024 State IL , Cameron Mercer Cameron Mercer 6'2" | SG Riverside Brookfield | 2026 State IL (Riverside Brookfield)
The go to trio for RB did their thing in a 80-53 win against Argo with the top available center on the board Cicic dropping 22 points while Steven Brown Steven Brown 6'1" | PG Riverside Brookfield | 2024 State IL had 20 points and standout sophomore Cameron Mercer Cameron Mercer 6'2" | SG Riverside Brookfield | 2026 State IL had 11 points.
Jax Abalos Jax Abalos 6'7" | SF Batavia | 2025 State IL (Batavia)
Abalos showed why he is one of the top shot makers in the state going for 23 points including four triples on Wednesday night.
Xavior Gonzalez Xavior Gonzalez 5'9" | PG Fenton | 2024 State IL , Alejandro Diaz Alejandro Diaz 6'1" | SG Fenton | 2024 State IL , and Damian Harnish (Fenton)
In a narrow 41-39 win Fenton got production from their backcourt with Gonzalez having 14 points and Diaz recording 13 points while Harnish hit the game winner as time expired.
Aidan Anderson Aidan Anderson 6'9" | C Okawville | 2025 State IL (Okawville)
The big man continues to produce leading Okawville to another win with 16 points and 8 boards.
Drew Terpins and Frankie Poshnjari Frankie Poshnjari 6'3" | SF Prospect | 2024 State IL (Prospect)
Prospect advanced 51-45 on Wednesday as Terpins poured in 15 points and Poshnjari had 9 points.
Lazar Lazarevic Lazar Lazarevic 6'5" | SF Rolling Meadows | 2025 State IL , Jaeden Warrener, and Ian Miletic Ian Miletic 6'5" | SF Rolling Meadows | 2025 State IL (Rolling Meadows)
It was the junior show for Rolling Meadows in their win over Hoffman Estates with Lazarevic leading the way with 12 points, Warrener had 11 points, and star Miletic recorded 9 points which included his 1,000 point of career.
Chase Abraham Chase Abraham 6'0" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL , Meyoh Swansey Meyoh Swansey 6'3" | SG Thornton | 2024 State IL , Isaiah Green Isaiah Green 6'1" | PG Thornton | 2024 State IL , and Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL (Thornton)
The big 3 on the perimeter for Thornton all did their part with each dropping 15 points in a 77-28 opening win. Top ranked senior Johnson had 9 points and 15 rebounds in the blow out.
Brendan Jost, Brady Sehlhorst Brady Sehlhorst 6'6" | SF Niles Notre Dame | 2025 State IL , and Brendon Fletcher (Niles Notre Dame)
Good opening win for Notre Dame as Jost paced the Dons with 17 points. Sehlhorst went for 9 points and Fletcher contributed 7 points.
Marshall Gehrke Marshall Gehrke 6'3" | SF Antioch | 2025 IL and Carter Webb (Antioch)
In that same game Antioch fell, but got 14 points each from this duo.
Ophir Zetouni, Jesse Shapira, and Adi Chazan (Rochelle Zell)
Rochelle Zell advanced 59-40 behind 27 points from Zetouni along with 10 each from Shapira and Chazan.
Gabe Gonzales, Jordan Brooks Jordan Brooks 6'2" | SG West Aurora | 2024 State IL , and CJ Savage CJ Savage 5'10" | PG West Aurora | 2024 State IL (West Aurora)
Breakout game for Gonzales as the junior had 17 points in the Blackhawks 64-53 win. Their senior backcourt of Brooks (20 points) and Savage (19 points) did what they always do!
Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL and Bryce Salek Bryce Salek 6'5" | SF Yorkville | 2024 State IL (Yorkville)
Top 5 prospect and Illini commit Jakstys finishes career with 14 points as does wing Salek.
Max Johnson Max Johnson 5'10" | PG Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State IL , Alex Gossett Alex Gossett 6'4" | SF OPRF | 2025 IL , Justin Bowen Justin Bowen 6'5" | SF Lincoln Park | 2025 State IL , and Alexander Vincent Alexander Vincent 6'8" | C OPRF | 2025 State IL (OPRF)
The best regional semi in the state lived up to hype as OPRF knocked off Niles North 85-80 on their home floor in the upset behind their array of prospects. Senior lead guard Johnson had 27 points while athletic wing Gossett notched 25 points. Junior strong bodied wing Bowen went for 15 points and 15 rebounds while fellow 2025 Vincent went to work inside for 10 points.
Kalvin Leonard and Jason Melesio (Longwood)
Longwood fell by a point 35-34 to Leo, but has a bright future as sophomores Leonard (23 points) and Melesio (7 points and 7 rebounds) led the way.
Marquise Williams, Antonio Tyler Antonio Tyler 6'7" | C Marshall | 2024 IL , Elijah Garrett, and Britt Williams (Marshall)
Marshall showed out with a 85-55 victory over Collins. Williams led the way with 22 points and 10 dimes. Big man Tyler had 11 points and 16 rebounds. Garrett and Williams had 15 and 18 respectively.
Fredrick Hassan and Troyer Carlson (Kaneland)
Kaneland scored a 57-44 win. Hassan was the top scorer with 26 points while Carlson had 14 points.
Jayden Armstrong, Drew Wills, and James Pilapil (Joliet Catholic Academy)
JCA advances past Westmont 49-35. Armstrong had 14 points while Wills and Pilapil each dropped 11 points.
Toby Cooper, Hank Alvey Hank Alvey 6'9" | C Illini Bluffs | 2024 State IL , Devon White Devon White 6'3" | SG Illini Bluffs | 2025 State IL , and Wyatt Hendel Wyatt Hendel 6'4" | SG Illini Bluffs | 2024 State IL (Illini Bluffs)
Illini Bluffs continues to roll with a 65-43 win over Quest. Cooper had 19 points while Lehigh commit Alvey had a double double of 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 swats. White dropped 17 while Hendel had a big game on the glass as well with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Zion Young Zion Young 6'6" | C Fenwick | 2025 IL , Javonte McCoy, Michael Tancredi, and Jordan Tunis Jordan Tunis 5'10" | PG Schaumburg | 2025 IL (Schaumburg)
Schaumburg fell to Fremd 65-44, but got solid outings across the board from York with 11 points while McCoy (9 points), Tancredi (8 points), and Tunis (7 points) each contributed.
Connor Reichman Connor Reichman 5'10" | C Fieldcrest | 2024 IL and Jozia Johnson (Fieldcrest)
Fieldcrest advanced 59-41 over Herscher with Richman having 18 points while Johnson was right behind him with 15 points.
Bennett Schwanke Bennett Schwanke 5'11" | PG Glenbard West | 2024 IL , TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'2" | SG Glenbard West | 2026 State IL , and Michael O’Connell (Glenbard West)
Glenbard West advanced 65-51 over Bartlett. Schwanke led the way with 21 points. Williams had 17 points and big man O’Connell dropped 10 points.
Jaxson Davis Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG Warren | 2027 IL and Javerion Banks Javerion Banks 6'1" | SG Warren Township | 2025 State IL (Warren)
Warren makes it look easy behind their star backcourt winning 75-46 with elite freshman Davis and junior Banks each scoring 22 points.
Jeffrey Fleming Jeffrey Fleming 6'4" | SG Plainfield North | 2024 State IL (Plainfield North)
Monster night for the senior dropping 35 points in a narrow win against a good Metea Valley team 56-54.
Brady Chambers Brady Chambers 6'7" | PF Lyons | 2024 State IL , Max Hoffman, Caleb Greer, and Liam Taylor Liam Taylor 6'7" | PF Lyons Township | 2024 State IL (Lyons)
The seniors wouldn’t let Lyons lose on their home floor knocking off St. Ignatius 70-62. Michigan State baseball commit Chambers went to work inside with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Hoffman notched 16 points while Greer and Taylor each had 14.
Phoenix Gill Phoenix Gill 6'3" | SG St. Ignatius | 2025 State #72 Nation IL (St. Ignatius)
Highly ranked junior Gill closed out his season with a 23 point outing in a loss to Lyons.
JC Anderson JC Anderson 6'7" | C Mt. Zion | 2026 State IL and Lyncoln Koester Lyncoln Koester 6'3" | SG Mt. Zion | 2025 State IL (Mt. Zion)
Mt. Zion improved to 31-1 with a 70-50 victory over Danville led by their standout inside/outside duo of Anderson with 24 points and Koester who dropped 23 points.
Dezmund Jackson Dezmund Jackson 6'3" | SG Rock Island | 2024 IL and Larry Oliver (Rock Island)
Rock Island improved to 24-8 with a tough test against Normal West winning 52-45 led by Jackson’s 17 points and Oliver’s 14 points.
Treyvon Taylor Treyvon Taylor 6'4" | PF Moline | 2025 State IL (Moline)
The defending state champions scored a 56-51 win against United Township. Massive game from junior Taylor with 33 points including 3 triples and 10-10 from the foul line.
Levi Goad Levi Goad 6'2" | PG Prairie Central | 2024 State IL (Prairie Central)
Sleeper guard Goad came up big in a win scoring 20 points.
Athan Berchos, Grantas Sakenis Grantas Sakenis 6'10" | C Andrew | 2024 State IL , James Gallagher, and Danny Laird (Andrew)
Andrew pulled off the upset with a 66-60 W over Romeoville. Berchose had 27 points while big man Sakenis dropped 16 points and 9 rebounds. Gallagher (9 points and 9 rebounds) along with Laird (10 points) were key in the victory.
Jack Dabbs Jack Dabbs 6'5" | SF Stevenson | 2024 State IL , Rocco Pagliocca Rocco Pagliocca 6'1" | PG Stevenson | 2026 State IL , and Aidan Bardic Aidan Bardic 6'3" | PG Stevenson | 2025 State IL (Stevenson)
Stevenson advanced 49-39 over South Elgin with Dabbs and Pagliocca each scoring 15 points while point guard Bardic chipped in with 10 points.
TJ Seals TJ Seals 6'5" | SF Johnson Prep | 2025 State IL and Achillies Matthews (Johnson College Prep)
Seals is becoming a star! He had 29 points, 15 rebounds, 7 steals, and 4 dimes against South Shore while Matthews had a double double of 18 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Jamson Coulter Jamson Coulter 6'2" | SG Rich Township | 2026 State IL and Samar Bures Samar Bures 5'9" | PG Rich Township | 2024 State IL (Rich Township)
The Rich star backcourt did their thing as Coulter had 15 points and Bures notched 14 points.
Nick Taylor Nick Taylor 6'6" | PF Glenbrook South | 2024 State IL , Daniel Devine, Anestis Hadjistamoulou Anestis Hadjistamoulou 6'0" | SG Glenbrook South | 2025 State IL , and Nate Kasher Nate Kasher 6'0" | PG Glenbrook South | 2024 State IL (Glenbrook South)
Glenbrook South sailed past Highland Park 54-33. D2 commit Taylor led the way with 16 points while Devine (9 points), Hadjistamoulou (9 points), and Kasher (8 points) were there to help!
Gus Rugaard Gus Rugaard 6'0" | PG Morton | 2024 State IL (Morton)
Rugaard came up with a huge game for Morton scoring 28 points in their 57-49 win against Washington.
Stephen Hribal and Ryan McKenzie (Timothy Christian)
Hribal had a monster game of 19 points while McKenzie contributed 9 points in the win.
Dawson Charles Dawson Charles 6'1" St Viator | 2027 IL , Dayvion Ellis, and Mitch Humphrey Mitch Humphrey 6'6" | SF St. Viator | 2024 State IL (St. Viator)
Charles dropped 19 points to lead the way in a 68-52 win against Vernon Hills. Ellis who I just watched his impressive football tape had 16 points while sharp shooting Humprey scored 12 points.
Hunter Staton, Beau Raikes, and Carson Baker (Serena)
School record wins with 29 in this game for Serena as they defeated Somonauk 70-42. Staton had 17 points while Raikes and Baker each contributed 15 points and 14 points.
Lorenzo Shields Lorenzo Shields 6'2" | PG Simeon | 2025 State IL and RJ McKinnie RJ McKinnie 6'2" | SG Simeon | 2024 State IL (Simeon)
Shields scored the winning bucket in the Wolverines 46-44 win at Hinsdale Central while scoring 13 points. Senior McKinnie had 18 in the win.
Vincas Buzelis Vincas Buzelis 6'5" | SF Hinsdale Central | 2025 State IL (Hinsdale Central)
Buzelis finished off his junior year with 14 points in a defeat against Simeon.
Marquis Clark Marquis Clark 6'2" | PG Whitney Young | 2026 State IL and Howard Williams Howard Williams 6'5" | SF Whitney Young | 2027 IL (Whitney Young)
The young duo led the way for the Dolphins as Clark had 11 points and 5 dimes while Williams dropped 13 points and 7 boards.
Baylen Damhoff (Fulton)
Big game for the 6’6” Damhoff going for 31 points in Fulton’s 68-46 win against Wethersfield.
Eoin Dillon Eoin Dillon 6'8" | C Peoria Notre Dame | 2024 State #294 Nation IL (Peoria Notre Dame)
The Belmont commit goes for 19 points in a blowout win against U-High 49-28.
Chancesay Maxon Chancesay Maxon 5'9" | PG El Paso Gridley | 2024 State IL , Lucas Shaffer, Micah Meiss Micah Meiss 6'4" | SG El Paso Gridley | 2025 State IL (El Paso Gridley)
EPG squeaked by Tremont 53-51. Balanced effort with Maxson and Shaffer both having 12 points while Meiss had 11 points.