20 Must See Regional Finals

Friday night has a loaded evening of basketball!  We know you can only get out to one game though.  At PHI we want to give you options across the state of which games to check out.  These are the 20 Must See Regional Finals!   4A   Edwardsville vs Alton (Alton)   We start off in the metro east with a game between the top two teams in the Southwestern Conference.  The last time we were there in person and it came down to the final possession.  Each won on their home floor during the regular season.  Alton will have that advantage this time behind their star junior [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] along with 3 and D wing [player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'].  Edwardsville counters with their senior point guard Herb Martin and junior shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2277698' first='Miccah' last='Butler'].   Hinsdale Central vs Curie (Curie)   Hinsdale Central's reward for going 29-3?  Having to play on the road in a regional final vs the city runner up.  That's real fair!  If they can get past this massive test the sectional is on their home floor, but they are going to need to bring it with their advantage in this game which is the size of [player_tooltip player_id='2105166' first='Vincas' last='Buzelis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2538930' first='Tyler' last='Thick'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2724245' first='Michael' last='Howell'].  Curie's edge is being on their home court with their fans along with the quickness of their guards led by [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2452415' first='Brad' last='Johnson'].   Simeon vs St. Ignatius (Simeon)   This is another massive matchup in the Hinsdale Central sectional.  St. Ignatius will have to travel to Simeon to face the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] in their historic gym.  On Iggy's side will be they have the best player on the floor in [player_tooltip player_id='1385292' first='Phoenix' last='Gill'] who is committed to Northwestern along with junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] who has been a reliable second option this season.  Simeon's strength is that any of their top five can go off on a given night.  Their top prospect is 2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1552394' first='Andre' last='Tyler'].  Explosive and smooth two guard that can go on scoring barrages.  In the backcourt he is flanked by senior combo [player_tooltip player_id='1385305' first='Lorenzo' last='Shields'] along with three and D wing [player_tooltip player_id='2323264' first='Kassidy' last='Nelson'].  Up front they have energy bigs in [player_tooltip player_id='2323288' first='Isaiah' last='Coleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1439013' first='Julien' last='Doyle'].   Lincoln Park vs Whitney Young (Whitney Young)   Third game in a row from the Hinsdale Central sectional where the higher seed is rewarded with having to go on the road to a big time CPS power.  Lincoln Park has been in this environment before back in December when they won 74-71.  Kadin Williams has been huge for Lincoln Park this season as the junior has really stepped up playing next to Ahamad [player_tooltip player_id='2403249' first='Lee' last=''] who can also put up points in bunches.  [player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner'] is an unsigned senior that is ready to make a statement.  Whitney Young has a pair of top 10 prospects in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1385300' first='Antonio' last='Munoz'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'].  They certainly do not want to go out on their home floor.  Role players [player_tooltip player_id='1545124' first='Damajay' last='Richardson'], Gabe Aaragon, and [player_tooltip player_id='1552473' first='Alijah' last='Little'] could be difference makers for the Dolphins with their shooting.   West Aurora vs Downers Grove North (Downers Grove South)   West Aurora has not lost a game since the calendar flipped over to 2025 and they got their two sport star in Iowa football commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545116' first='Terrence' last='Smith'] back.  He brings a two way wing that plays above the rim and defends at a high level.  [player_tooltip player_id='2125687' first='Travis' last='Brown'] has more than lived up to his #4 overall ranking in the 2027 class as the floor general has been outstanding!  DGN has a veteran group of shooter [player_tooltip player_id='2415414' first='Nolan' last='Hurter'] and big man [player_tooltip player_id='2217947' first='Bobby' last='Grganto'] who have out performed expectations this season at 23-8.   Bloom vs Joliet West (Joliet Central)   Two of the best programs in the south suburbs will meet up in this one.  It also features two of the best unsigned seniors in the state.  Bloom's [player_tooltip player_id='1545131' first='Elijah' last='Lovemore'] is a combo guard that stuffs the stat sheet and can play on or off the ball.  Next to him is [player_tooltip player_id='2105218' first='Payton' last='Edwards'] who can really score it and hit the glass on the wing.  Joliet West is led by a pair of wings in unsigned senior [player_tooltip player_id='1766497' first='Zion' last='Gross'] and talented junior [player_tooltip player_id='2045857' first='Ethan' last='Hillsman'].  They bring versatility being able to play either forward spot along with scoring from multiple levels.   Waukegan vs Libertyville (Libertyville)   Waukegan has had a big season behind their athletic quartet of [player_tooltip player_id='1465916' first='Xavi' last='Granville'], [player_tooltip player_id='1845351' first='Simereon' last='Carter'], [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1552444' first='Carter' last='Newsome'].  Granville has been a revelation as a senior with his ability to produce at a high level in big games.  Libertyville might have the best pure big man in the junior class in Bryce Wegryzn who has an advanced low post game.  Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2540198' first='Terrence' last='Davis'] is one of the better 2028 wings in the class who is coming off a big game in the last round.   Warren vs McHenry (McHenry)   Warren has been a bit up and down this season, but with their star [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] many expect them to make a run deep in this tournament.  He is the type of player that is just a “winner” being able to take over games with his scoring, passing, and defense.  [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2437519' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] provide wing scoring for Warren.  On McHenry the one to watch from a prospect standpoint is [player_tooltip player_id='1552440' first='Adam' last='Anwar'].  The skilled four can space the floor along with scoring around the hoop.   Rock Island vs Moline (Moline)   What a game in the western part of the state as two of the most historic programs will clash as Rock Island heads to Moline.  The host school is led by two players who remain from their state championship season two years ago in [player_tooltip player_id='1545138' first='Braden' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1545132' first='Treyvon' last='Taylor'].  They have a ton of experience and winning on their resume.  Rock Island is a squad dominated by guards including [player_tooltip player_id='2712818' first='Deven' last='Marshall'] who is a sophomore that is emerging in 2027.  Also Jae'Vion Clark-Pugh is a high level athlete as an undersized big who brings energy.   New Trier vs Lane Tech (Maine South)   After getting past a tough first round game against host Maine South now New Trier will get another test in CPS program Lane Tech.  New Trier has a D1 duo in 2026s [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552486' first='Danny' last='Houlihan'] who do most of the damage while Wash U commit [player_tooltip player_id='1385306' first='Colby' last='Smith'] is the heart and soul of the team.  Lane Tech has the only D1 commit of seniors in the CPS in Penn bound big man [player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'].  Big, physical, and super skilled!   Rolling Meadows vs Palatine (Rolling Meadows)   With the #1 senior in the state Rolling Meadows has gone 27-4 including only losing one game in the last month of play.  Their star is Marquette bound [player_tooltip player_id='1385299' first='Ian' last='Miletic'].  The skilled point-forward is a shot maker and passer that stuffs the stat sheet.  He has flown a bit under the radar of many despite his status as a senior.  Look for Miletic to make a statement.  Palatine is a fun team that we saw recently led by shot making and big man Tony Balanganyi who is a top football recruit in 2026.   Homewood Flossmoor vs Romeoville (Romeoville)   HF is the defending 4A state champs.  They have a ton of potential in this tournament, but also a tricky patch which begins with playing at Romeoville against a team that has upset potential.  Wofford commit [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] has stepped up in every way as a senior.  He has a pair of 2025 wings he can rely on in Lewis bound [player_tooltip player_id='2105169' first='Arden' last='Eaves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2044507' first='Brent' last='Taylor'].  Everything Romeoville does runs through [player_tooltip player_id='1385302' first='Damion' last='Porter'] Jr.  The Tarleton State commit is a big and physical wing that can play on the ball.  Downhill scorer, shot maker, and has improved as a distributor.   3A   Kaneland vs Wheaton Academy (Illinois Math and Science Academy)   Underrated game here.  Kaneland has had a fantastic season.  This one is intriguing to us from an eval standpoint with two of the best big men in 2027 going head to head in a top 10 clash of [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] (Kaneland) and [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] (Wheaton Academy).  Hassan is more defensive minded while Schroeder is more offensive.  Should be a great matchup!  Kaneland also has a pair of other ranked prospects to track in [player_tooltip player_id='2391706' first='Freddy' last='Hassan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'].   Morton vs Metamora (Dunlap)   What a game this will be in central Illinois!  Morton is the team you watch and think how do they keep winning?  But they do.  [player_tooltip player_id='1232827' first='Wes' last='Gudeman'] is one of the most unique players in the state as he doesn't jump out in the warm up lines, but when the game is over he takes out the heart of teams.  Metamora has a superstar in Bradley commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'].  Was on the Metamora state title team several years back and is now their go to player that has had some massive games as a senior.   Peoria vs Peoria Richwoods (East Peoria)   Richwoods pulled off an upset in the first round over host East Peoria.  Now they get top seeded Peoria.  [player_tooltip player_id='1766506' first='Leshawn' last='Stowers'] is a top 5 senior and Miami (OH) commit that does it all for Peoria.  Big, physical, athletic, and skilled.  He has it all!  Richwoods freshman duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'] are not scared as they proved on Wednesday.   Lemont vs Morgan Park (Lemont)   Two of the most dynamic junior scorers in the state will be on the court in this one as Lemont's [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] can score at will as does Morgan Park's dual sport star [player_tooltip player_id='1552476' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'].  This should be quite a duel!   Marian Catholic vs Perspectives (Providence Catholic)   Fun game here with Marian Catholic having a balanced attack with [player_tooltip player_id='2723815' first='Delan' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='2321398' first='Zack' last='Sharkey'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2632037' first='Landon' last='Mays'] while Perspectives has a duo of tough wings in [player_tooltip player_id='2105200' first='Derrick' last='Dowdell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] who each came off the board recently.   Triad vs Waterloo (Waterloo)   Underrated matchup here in the metro east.  Triad is pushed by Oklahoma State baseball commit [player_tooltip player_id='1766468' first='Drew' last='Winslow'] who has had a big senior campaign with his scoring from the wing along with [player_tooltip player_id='1552447' first='Tyler' last='Thompson'] as a junior combo forward.  Waterloo has one of the biggest players in the state in Illinois-Springfield commit [player_tooltip player_id='1766463' first='Alex' last='Stell'] who can put his team on his back with his low post scoring and rebounding.   2A   Belleville Althoff vs Pinckneyville (Chester)   The #1 team in the state in 2A vs the #2 team in the state in 2A IN THE REGIONAL FINAL?!?!?!  Yes this is beyond insane that these two teams have to play this early in the tournament, but here we are.  It is a true neutral site that will have a ton of buzz.  Althoff is led by Oregon football commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105165' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr who won Prep Redzone Player of the Year while leading his team to a state title.  They have more guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1977254' first='Luke' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105302' first='Bryden' last='Gryzmala'].  Pinckneyville is pushed by a trio of senior wings [player_tooltip player_id='2321427' first='AJ' last='Keith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2385167' first='Riley' last='Bauersachs'] along with junior big man [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'].  Both squads are extremely well coached and will be up for this moment!   Breese Central vs Columbia (Carlyle)   Another good small school game from southern Illinois here.  Columbia has D1 duo [player_tooltip player_id='1568153' first='Sam' last='Donald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1790001' first='Eddie' last='Smajic'] while Breese Central beats you with their depth.

Friday night has a loaded evening of basketball! We know you can only get out to one game though. At PHI we want to give you options across the state of which games to check out. These are the 20 Must See Regional Finals!