State Finals: 3A Friday Notebook
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Friday it was the big schools turn in semi final action from Champaign in the State Finals. Here we examine the four 3A semis in State Finals: 3A Friday Notebook! Mt. Carmel Puts 5 in Double Figures to Pull Away…
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Continue ReadingFriday it was the big schools turn in semi final action from Champaign in the State Finals. Here we examine the four 3A semis in State Finals: 3A Friday Notebook!
Mt. Carmel Puts 5 in Double Figures to Pull Away from Mt. Zion in 2nd Half
At the half this was a tie game that looked up for grabs. The second half was owned by Mt. Carmel as they defeated Mt. Zion by a final of 65-49 to move on to the championship game.
The spark early on for the Caravan was 2025 shooting guard Grant Best Grant Best 6'3" | SG Mt. Carmel | 2025 State IL . The sharp shooter hit a trio of them from deep in this game along with a crisp baseline take finishing with 14 points. Sophomore point guard Noah Mister Noah Mister 6'1" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2026 State IL played one his best games of the season as a floor general making plays setting others up with his passing while shaking defenders off the bounce along with draining a few jumpers for 10 points and 6 dimes. His backcourt mate Cameron Thomas Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG Mount Carmel | 2025 State IL was rock solid as always. Powerfully built guard drained a pair form distance along with a soft touch finishing game for 12 points. With their star Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State #160 Nation IL in foul trouble for much of the game they got a massive lift from Lee Marks Lee Marks 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State IL . The D1 prospect has been out for the last month. He was super impactful in all areas of the game. Finished around the hoop, rebounded, dished it well, and played D while scoring 10 points and dropping 5 dimes. Speaking of the Northwestern commit Angelo Ciaravino Angelo Ciaravino 6'6" | SF Mt. Carmel | 2024 State #160 Nation IL turned it on late notching 13 points showing off his athleticism in the paint finishing out of the dunker spot, on a lob, and in the post.
For Mt. Zion it was JC Anderson JC Anderson 6'7" | C Mt. Zion | 2026 State IL inside who led the way. He was unstoppable in the first half. The big man finished out of the dunker spot, sealed his man off, spin moves, and hit the offensive glass for put backs. Scored 16 of his 17 points in the first half while also grabbing 8 rebounds. Junior guard Lyncoln Koester Lyncoln Koester 6'3" | SG Mt. Zion | 2025 State IL had a tough morning shooting the rock. He did manage a couple floaters and a three for 13 points. Showed some passing we hadn’t seen while recording 5 assists in the game.
DePaul Prep Defense Holds Down Richwoods to Advance to Title Game
It has been about the defense all year for DePaul Prep and that was once again the case as they held Richwoods to well below their season average in a 52-41 victory that sets up an all Chicago Catholic League 3A title game against Mt. Carmel.
DePaul Prep point guard Makai Kvamme Makai Kvamme 6'0" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL was outstanding in the victory. The junior guard controlled the tempo from the get go. He set others up with his passing while living in the paint scoring on acrobatic finishes notching 15 points and 6 dimes. His backcourt mates were also solid in the win. Senior PJ Chambers PJ Chambers 6'2" | SG DePaul Prep | 2024 State IL had 15 points with his shot making on full display as usual from all over the floor. Robert Walls Robert Walls 6'2" | PG DePaul Prep | 2025 State IL had his moments as well scoring 7 points. Up front the big boys held down Sommerville as much as they could. It was a big game out of Rashaun Porter Rashaun Porter 6'6" | PF DePaul Prep | 2026 State IL as the highly ranked sophomore had 10 points and 6 rebounds while playing great defense. Mid-range jumpers and scored out of the dunker spot. Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL only had 4 points, but they came in a key part of the game when Richwoods was making a late push. Energy big that defends and brings versatility inside.
Rutgers commit Lathan Sommerville Lathan Sommerville 6'9" | C Richwoods | 2024 State #85 Nation IL couldn’t get much going early, but started to find some stuff as the game went on. A big tip slam seemed to get him in the game. Had a few power moves in the post along with a tough and-1. Went for 18 points in the loss. DaQuan Little finished out a breakout senior year strong with his perimeter shot making and in between game going for 10 points.