State Finals: Class of 2024 3A and 4A 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 3A and 4A Top Performers!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'] (Mt. Carmel – Northwestern)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ciaravino struggled with foul trouble early on in the semis as he sat a lot of the first half and a big portion of the third quarter.&nbsp; Turned it on late with a monster showing in the fourth quarter displaying the elite athletic pop and ability to play above the rim that we have seen out of him for the last year.&nbsp; Finished with 13 points in that win.&nbsp; It was a different story in the championship game as the Northwestern commit gave his team everything he had.&nbsp; The big and athletic wing drained 6-10 from beyond the arc.&nbsp; His ability to shoot it at such a high clip while also being an athletic freak with ball skills makes him such a great get for Northwestern.&nbsp; Finished with 24 points in the title game loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marks stepped up huge in their semi final game against Mt. Zion.&nbsp; With Ciaravino in foul trouble they desperately needed the unsigned wing to make an impact in his first action after an arm injury that held him out the last month.&nbsp; He did just that with his all-around game that makes him such an intriguing prospect.&nbsp; Guarded multiple positions, finished out of the dunker spot, hit the glass, and passed it very well going for 10 points and 5 assists.&nbsp; Low-majors and high D2s should be all over him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157232' first='Lathan' last='Sommerville'] (Richwoods - Rutgers)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sommerville finished off his career with an 18 point outing in a semi final loss to DePaul Prep.&nbsp; It was clear from the beginning that DePaul Prep was not going to let Sommerville beat them as they had two bodies on him constantly inside.&nbsp; Slow start to the game, but he did get it going as it went along.&nbsp; Couple big dunks including a massive tip slam.&nbsp; And-1 through contact on a face up move and was fouled on a three.&nbsp; Going to be a very good player in the Big 10 on one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598683' first='Daquan' last='Little'] (Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little clearly established himself as a top notch small college/JUCO target with his play as a senior.&nbsp; The combo guard is a plus shooter from both mid-range pulling up as well as from three.&nbsp; Good transition player that can also defend pretty well.&nbsp; He had 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978593' first='PJ' last='Chambers'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers has been a steady force for the Rams all season long.&nbsp; Shot maker from beyond the arc with a quick and concise lefty stroke especially from the corners.&nbsp; Also loves to step in for one or two dribble pull ups.&nbsp; Active defender and all-around solid player.&nbsp; He had 15 points.&nbsp; In the championship game he wasn't the usual offensive threat that he has been all season but when it matter most he made the key free throws going 6-6 from the charity stripe down the stretch.&nbsp; High end small schools and JUCOs should be all over him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'] (Normal Community – Wright State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webber was the man against Palatine in the semis.&nbsp; The senior Wright State commit is a big and bruising center that was dominant on the boards and finishing inside with power.&nbsp; He is an old school big that does his damage on the block garnering deep post position and scoring through contact.&nbsp; Rebounds at a super high level in his area.&nbsp; In the Palatine game he went for 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roman is among the best uncommitted prospects on the board.&nbsp; A lot of buzz about him among JUCOs at this stage being in hot pursuit.&nbsp; He showed off his three point shot going 3-6 from beyond the arc in a 19 point outing against Palatine in the semis.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that weaves in and out of the defense being able to create his own shot off the bounce getting to the rim.&nbsp; Strong showing in the championship game as well dropping 18 points including a pair of feathery jumpers.&nbsp; Got to the rim for runners and used his size and athleticism on the perimeter to make impactful plays.&nbsp; He is a D1 talent for sure!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285483' first='Niko' last='Newsome'] (Normal Community – Saginaw Valley State)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newsome was solid in the semis hitting a pair of threes and impacting on the defensive end.&nbsp; He had 8 points.&nbsp; Newsome started off on fire, but then cooled off in the title game scoring just 5 points and 2-8 from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'] (Normal Community)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland is one of the top 2024 post players still on the board.&nbsp; After not playing his junior year he has come back stronger than ever.&nbsp; High level rebounder that plays with a ton of grit.&nbsp; Strong and broad shouldered post that scores around the hoop and has touch scoring with efficiency in the paint.&nbsp; In the semis he had 8 points and 9 rebounds.&nbsp; He was the best player for Normal in the championship game loss to HF.&nbsp; Cleveland was a force on the interior with his toughness, athleticism, and grit.&nbsp; Pounded the glass and played with a high motor going for 13 points (5-8 FG) and 11 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1541230' first='Connor' last='May'] (Palatine – Wash U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wash U commit is a prospect that in my eyes has D1 talent that was an absolute steal.&nbsp; He has size on the perimeter with a really good skill set.&nbsp; Shoots it from three and mid-range along with being able to deck it some.&nbsp; In a semi final loss to Normal he notched 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157352' first='Jaylan' last='McElroy'] (DePaul Prep)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McElroy wasn't a huge scorer in Champaign, but he was so effective as a defensive presence on the interior.&nbsp; Did it in the semis against Richwoods and then had a very nice showing in the championship game against Mt. Carmel going for 8 points and 7 rebounds (4 offensive).&nbsp; Great at getting second chance points with his quickness and length.&nbsp; Switchable defender that moves his feet and alters things.&nbsp; Among the top uncommitted seniors in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] (Homewood Flossmoor – Columbia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cobb is an athletic point guard that is headed to Columbia next season.&nbsp; The senior guard plays with a ton of speed and loves to break defenders down getting to the rim.&nbsp; He did it over and over again with acrobatic conversions at the hoop.&nbsp; One of the most prolific layup makers in the state.&nbsp; Active defender, good playmaker, and sticks his nose in for boards at the guard spot.&nbsp; Against New Trier he had 12 points (4-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1488791' first='Carson' last='Brownfield'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a quiet semi, Brownfield erupted in the championship game.&nbsp; The strong bodied lefty brought his physicality and shot making to the table.&nbsp; The 6'4” wing is a plus athlete that can create his own shot and explode to the rim for scores along with getting out in transition.&nbsp; Going to be a great JUCO or small college prospect.&nbsp; He had 12 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Such a tough kid!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104827' first='Dominic' last='Pangallo'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pangallo is a prospect we have been fans of for a while.&nbsp; The rangy small forward is an ideal three and D guy at the small college or JUCO level.&nbsp; Hit a big three in the game along with getting to the foul line against New Trier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Will Leemaster (New Trier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leemaster didn't even score against HF, but wow was the small forward fantastic with his passing.&nbsp; He sliced up the defense on back cuts out of the high post with his pin point accuracy over and over again.&nbsp; He had 5 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Logan Feller (New Trier)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Feller is a sleeper prospect in the senior class.&nbsp; Scored on several back cuts along with displaying a solid jumper on the baseline and from three.&nbsp; Good passer and flashed some athleticism defending on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->