State Finals: Class of 2024 1A and 2A Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament concluded the Illinois high school basketball season on Monday.&nbsp; PHI breaks down the top performers and prospects from the event.&nbsp; We do that here in <strong>State Finals: Class of 2024 1A and 2A Top Performers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374495' first='Zack' last='Evans'] (West Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Evans is West Central's star.&nbsp; He struggled early in the semi, but got it going in the second half with a baseline take and corner three.&nbsp; Solid athlete that can deck it getting to the line and rebounds well.&nbsp; Also liked what he showed as a secondary playmaker passing when his shot wasn't falling.&nbsp; Finished with 17 points in the semifinal double OT win.&nbsp; In the championship game on Saturday it was a different story.&nbsp; Evans took over from the start with his ability to get downhill for buckets over and over with burst and creativity.&nbsp; Also pounded the glass all game long for 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 dimes in a 1A championship victory.&nbsp; Should find a home as a nice small college or JUCO prospect with some upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374533' first='Chance' last='Little'] (West Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little had the game of his life against Aurora Christian in the semis where he dropped a crazy 33 points to send his team to the title game.&nbsp; Crafty 6'4” small forward that was effective getting in the lane for scores and to the foul line.&nbsp; Had a knack for scoring in the paint with touch off the bounce all night long!&nbsp; Wasn't quite as dominant as he was in the semis, but had another good outing in the championship doing a lot of the same things.&nbsp; Crafty finishes in the paint and got to the charity stripe where he racked up 19 points and 6 rebounds.&nbsp; Small colleges are going to be making calls after this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jai'Deon Reed (Mounds Meridian)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reed stepped up huge off the bench for Meridian in the semi final game going for 17 points in the victory despite an injury that held him out part of the game.&nbsp; At 6'2” he is a bit undersized as a combo forward, but plays with a high activity level, gets on the offensive glass, and is scrappy in the paint.&nbsp; Lefty regularly makes trips to the line.&nbsp; Could see a D3 or JUCO D2 taking a shot on him as a role guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carson Kohler (Williamsville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kohler stepped up for Williamsville as an interior scoring presence.&nbsp; Hit the offensive glass for multiple put backs.&nbsp; Scored on post ups with quick and assertive moves. Nifty footwork around the hoop and finished through contact for 14 points.&nbsp; Small college guy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1970913' first='Isaac' last='Billington'] (Benton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Benton two guard helped his stock in a major way over the summer elevating his confidence with the [program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'].&nbsp; Carried that into a stellar senior campaign including an 18 point outing in the semis where he scored from all three levels with scoop shots, mid-range pullups, and threes.&nbsp; Also got to the line.&nbsp; In the championship it was more of the same for Billington as he carried the scoring load for the Rangers with 19 points.&nbsp; Solid jumper along with an array of drives for scores at the cup against quality defenders.&nbsp; Small colleges should be all over him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374521' first='Ryan' last='Tucker'] (Byron)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker is an all-timer for Byron.&nbsp; Didn't have his best game in the semis as Benton put their focus on him and he only managed 10 points.&nbsp; You can see the tools though as he is a crisp ball handler with potential as a shooter.&nbsp; Small college player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carson Buser (Byron)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This gritty guard was in attack mode all night long!&nbsp; Won on straight line takes to the rim for floaters and sweeping layups.&nbsp; Also was good on backdoor cuts.&nbsp; Finished with 16 points in the loss to Benton.&nbsp; Small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->