State Finals: 4A Friday Notebook
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In the afternoon we had action from 4A on Friday with the semis taking place between Normal Community vs Palatine followed by New Trier vs Homewood Flossmoor. PHI dives into each game and the prospects that made an impact in…
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Continue ReadingIn the afternoon we had action from 4A on Friday with the semis taking place between Normal Community vs Palatine followed by New Trier vs Homewood Flossmoor. PHI dives into each game and the prospects that made an impact in State Finals: 4A Friday Notebook!
Normal Community Clicks on All Cylinders Blowing Out Palatine
The Ironmen left no doubt as they rolled to 58-38 win against Palatine. It was a completely dominant performance across the board. Up front Wright State commit Jaheem Webber Jaheem Webber 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2024 State #300 Nation IL had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. It was a dominant showing for the big man as he over powered Palatine inside imposing his will both scoring and on the glass. He had help up front as well with his partner in crime Noah Cleveland Noah Cleveland 6'8" | C Normal Community | 2024 State IL had 8 points and 9 rebounds. Was excellent on the offensive glass. Off the bench the third big man Kobe Walker Kobe Walker 6'9" | C Normal Community | 2025 State IL was also effective with 4 points and 3 rebounds. Their perimeter highly ranked duo also had it working. Braylon Roman Braylon Roman 6'3" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL has it flowing from the perimeter with 19 points including three from distance. One of the best unsigned prospects in the 2024 class. Saginaw Valley State commit Niko Newsome Niko Newsome 6'6" | SG Normal Community | 2024 State IL connected on a pair of threes for 8 points.
Connor May Connor May 6'5" | SF Palatine | 2024 State IL from Palatine was the leading scorer the Pirates with 17 points. He essentially had to carry them for Palatine to even have a shot. The Wash U commit is a crisp shooter from mid-range that has such a great skill set all-around.
Heard Pours in Jumpers for Homewood Flossmoor in Narrow Win Over New Trier
New Trier got this game at their pace. It was 11-11 at the half against Homewood Flossmoor. When it got going in the second half New Trier started to slice up HF with backdoor cuts while Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State #86 Nation IL carried HF with his shot making. New Trier tried to make a comeback late, but a steal by Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL which he took end to end was the biggest single play of the game as HF won 40-35.
Homewood Flossmoor 2025 shooting guard Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 State #86 Nation IL has made a very compelling case to move to the top spot in the junior rankings with the way he has played the last two months. He made another statement in this one draining feathery jumpers all over the floor. Heard was aggressive hunting his shot hitting them one after another from 15-18 feet along with a pair off the catch from three finishing with 16 points (7-11 FG). He carried them for stretches in this game. Columbia commit Gianni Cobb Gianni Cobb 6'0" | PG Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL came up with some clutch plays as well including that big steal late along with an array of acrobatic finishes. One of the most athletic players in the state got to the rim and line for scores notching 12 points. Sleeper 2024 Dominic Pangallo Dominic Pangallo 6'4" | SF Homewood Flossmoor | 2024 State IL does what he does best draining a spot up three along with finishing a dump off and hitting a pair of free throws for 7 points.
New Trier 2026 standout point guard Christopher Kirkpatrick Christopher Kirkpatrick 6'3" | PG New Trier | 2026 State IL was the story in the first half scoring almost all of their points. He is an athletic and tough lead guard that cut well off the ball for several finishes along with a three finishing with 13 points. Despite not scoring Will Leemaster ran New Trier’s offense as the small forward worked from the high-post slicing the defense up on back cuts recording 5 assists to go with his 5 rebounds. Logan Feller scored on several of those back cuts along with a pair of jumpers for 9 points while also being a solid passer in his own right with 3 assists.