Ted’s Takes: IHSA 1A and 2A State Semifinals Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The State Series will tip off Thursday morning when the 1A and 2A semifinals take place. The 3A and 4A semifinals will take place Friday, with all four state championships happening Saturday. All games are at State Farm Center in Champaign. In this article, I'll preview each semifinal matchup and give my own takes into what might happen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9:30 am - Chicago Hope Academy (29-7) vs Meridian (25-8)</strong>: Playing in Chicagoland, Hope Academy has played an above-average schedule and picked up a few impressive wins along the way. Some wins over bigger schools include Notre Dame and Taft. Sophomore Tyjuan Hunter is a name to watch, averaging over 18 points per game and drilling 59 3's on the year. For Meridian, 6'3" Freshman Antonio Flenoid Jr has averaged 23.8 pts and 10.9 rebounds. But they've yet to play a team with the experience like Hope. <strong>PICK: Hope 65, Meridian 48</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>11:00 am - Winchester (34-3) vs Aurora Christian</strong> <strong>(25-8)</strong>: Winchester has just two losses in state all season and playing with a ton of confidence. 6'2" Sr Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2374495' first='Zack' last='Evans'] has averaged 20.8 ppg on 49% shooting. He's complemented strongly by 6'4" Sr F [player_tooltip player_id='2374533' first='Chance' last='Little'], averaging 14.3 pts and 8.8 reb per game. On the other side, Aurora Christian starts four sophomores: [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'], Jalen Carter, Jacob Baumann, and Asa Johnson. Cocroft leads the team in pts, rebounds, and assists. But the leadership comes from Senior F Cam Morel, averaging 15 ppg on the year. I see this game being really close. But I think the experience will win it in the end. <strong>PICK: Winchester 57, Aurora Christian 55</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2:00 - Williamsville (26-9) vs Chicago Phillips</strong> <strong>(23-9)</strong>: Williamsville is making a trip downstate after losing in the Regionals a season ago. 5'11" Jr [player_tooltip player_id='2375621' first='Brayden' last='Saling'] has averaged 13.6 pts while making 93 3-pointers this season. Phillips is making its first appearance downstate in 47 years. Going through an always challenging challenging super-sectional to do so. Capped off by ending the chances of an unbeaten season for Beecher. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] and Lawrence Horton have been extraordinary this season. They've additionally led the Wildcats to impressive wins over Lanphier, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, and Lindblom. They also had close games against Kenwood and Peoria Richwoods. To me, one team is just better than the other. <strong>THE PICK: Phillips 75, Williamsville 49</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3:45 - Byron (30-2) vs Benton (31-3)</strong>: The two programs have combined for just five losses this season. Byron 6'3" Sr Guard [player_tooltip player_id='2374521' first='Ryan' last='Tucker'] has been on a tear. Averaging 23.2 points per game and shooting 54% from the field. Sophomore Cason Newton has also been very productive at 11.2 ppg. On the other side, Benton is super balanced with four players averaging double figures. 6'8" Jr F [player_tooltip player_id='1545126' first='Docker' last='Tedeschi'] seems very intriguing with his size. Also averages 8.24 rebounds per game. It will be interesting to see a player like him on this stage. This is undoubtedly the toughest game to predict as we're seeing two teams from polar opposites of the state. It seems like a coin toss. <strong>THE PICK: Benton 45, Byron 44</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->