Ted’s Takes: 3A and 4A State Semifinals Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3A and 4A semifinals will take place Friday at the State Farm Center in Champaign. The 3A field has a combined 12 losses on the season and is undoubtedly the most difficult class to pick. The 4A field has a mix of old and new faces hungry to win a state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9:30 am - Mt. Carmel (31-5) vs Mt. Zion (35-1)</strong>: Northwestern commit [player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'] is the headliner in this contest. Averaging 21 points on 57% shooting from the field. The teamsaround him is also very stellar. [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'], [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285482' first='Christian' last='Uremovich'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] have all averaged double-figures on the season. It's an overall well-balanced unit. On the other hand, Mt. Zion has had a season for the ages. Going 35-1 and only losing a nail-bitter to Metamora in January. 6'3" Jr [player_tooltip player_id='1545145' first='Lyncoln' last='Koester'] has been a sesnsational guard who's stock is only boosting. 6'7" Soph F [player_tooltip player_id='2323267' first='JC' last='Anderson'] is averaging 14.7 points and 8.8 rebounds. Only one senior starts and the team is on the rise. Given the recent success downstate teams have had in 3A, I'm going with the Braves. <strong>PICK: Mt. Zion 56, Mt. Carmel 52</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11:15 am - DePaul Prep (33-2) vs Peoria Richwoods (29-4)</strong>: DePaul Prep cruised through their super-sectional. Winning every game by at least 16 points. But their regular season schedule wasn't easy. Picking up impressive wins late in the season over Brother Rice, Mt. Carmel, and Benet. Their only losses came against Homewood-Flossmor and Normal, who are both in the in the 4A semifinals. The Rams will look to win the 3A championship after winning it in 2A last season. On the other hand, Richwoods had to earn every win to make it here. They knocked off Morton, Kankakee, Metamora, and Thronton in the playoffs. All of whom were ranked in the PH top 40. Rutgers commit [player_tooltip player_id='1157232' first='Lathan' last='Sommerville'] has averaged a whopping 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Knights this season. DePaul has yet to face a player like him, and will surely have their hands full defensively. In a 7-game series, this would go to game 7. Given that Richwoods has won two straight games against similar competition, I'll give it to the Knights. <strong>PICK: Peoria Richwoods 47, DePaul Prep 46 (OT)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2:00 - Palatine (28-8) vs Normal (31-5)</strong>: It's Palatine's first trip downstate in 42 years. The heart of this group is [player_tooltip player_id='1541230' first='Connor' last='May']. Averaging nearly 20 points per contest on 51% shooting. They'll be big underdogs against Normal, who's making their first appearance downstate since losing the 2015 championship to Jalen Brunson-led Stevenson. This group is loaded with talent and experience led by [player_tooltip player_id='1157233' first='Jaheem' last='Webber'], [player_tooltip player_id='1285481' first='Noah' last='Cleveland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1172774' first='Braylon' last='Roman'], and Nico Newsome. I expect the Ironmen to win this one comfortably. <strong>PICK: Normal 51, Palatine 33</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3:45 - Homewood-Flossmor (31-4) vs New Trier (29-7)</strong>: New Trier is looking for a better result after only finishing third in last year's 4A series. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] is a breakout star and will need to be at his best to give the Trevians a chance. Homewood-Flossmor has been ranked #1 for numerous weekends and probably picked up their biggest win of the season on Monday. The Vikings came back from an 8-pt deficit in the 4th quarter to knock off Curie. 2024 PG [player_tooltip player_id='1352590' first='Gianni' last='Cobb'] is having a spectacular season for H-F. He's well-complemented by 2025 CG [player_tooltip player_id='1385293' first='Bryce' last='Heard'], who leads the team with 17 ppg this season. Jr [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] and Sr [player_tooltip player_id='1488791' first='Carson' last='Brownfield'] have also been crucial to the Vikings success this season. New Trier ran into a difficult matchup with Benet in last years semifinal, and they'll face a challenge just as tough this year. <strong>THE PICK: Homewood-Flossmor 62, New Trier 49</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->