5 Takeaways: Waubonsie Valley vs Kankakee

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With it being a holiday on Monday there were some games in the afternoon.&nbsp; PHI caught a contest between Waubonsie Valley and Kankakee.&nbsp; This game featured a ton of top prospects including the top junior and a player of the year candidate on the other side.&nbsp; It was Waubonsie Valley who topped Kankakee 57-53.&nbsp; Here are our <strong>5 Takeaways: Waubonsie Valley vs Kankakee!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'] Continues to Make Player of Year Case</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the regular season winding down we are starting to see several players emerge in the PHI player of the year race.&nbsp; One of those is Waubonsie Valley star point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2326960' first='Tyreek' last='Coleman'].&nbsp; The Illinois State commit pushed his team to a 27-1 record with a spectacular performance on Monday.&nbsp; He is a blur with the ball in his hands pushing the pace and getting to the rim.&nbsp; Such a great burst on his first step and can play at a variety of paces, but he loves to push the pedal all the way down to blow past guys.&nbsp; Did that on the regular getting to the rim for acrobatic layups, and-1s, and trips to the line.&nbsp; With Kankakee making a run to tie the game he hit a momentum swinging three to give his team the 43-40 margin heading into the fourth.&nbsp; Sound shooter that can hit in the mid-range, off catch, and behind ball screens.&nbsp; Slick ball handler has a sweet soft touch finishing game along with being able to throw dimes on the money.&nbsp; Plus passer that makes the guys we will get to next better!&nbsp; He is also an active defender getting steals and turning them into points.&nbsp; Rebounds well for a guard.&nbsp; Impact guard in the Missouri Valley!&nbsp; Went for 29 points in the win.<br><br><strong>Balanced Effort Across Board for Waubonsie Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman was the only one in double figures for Waubonsie Valley, but he got a well balanced attack from this teammates.&nbsp; One of the top unsigned seniors in the state [player_tooltip player_id='2326966' first='Moses' last='Wilson'] had a slow start, but got it going as the game went along.&nbsp; One thing you know is that this long and lanky forward will always bring the energy.&nbsp; He did just that as he high pointed rebounds clearing them all game long on the defensive end.&nbsp; Made several quick passes and got his hands on multiple deflections defensively.&nbsp; Plays above the rim throwing down an alley-oop along with a corner three.&nbsp; Went for 9 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] is a top 10 sophomore that is a strong bodied and skilled wing.&nbsp; He was very good on the glass all game long including sneaking in on the offensive glass for several impactful plays.&nbsp; Banged in a pull up three en route to 6 points.&nbsp; A pair of glue guys for this squad stepped up as Josh Tinney scored 7 points and Cade Valek notched 6 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Junior Fights Through Injury</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #1 2026 prospect in Illinois is Kankakee small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'].&nbsp; Unfortunately Williams went down with an ankle injury during the first quarter of the game that looked pretty bad.&nbsp; He toughed it out playing on it the rest of the night, but you could tell he wasn't himself.&nbsp; Still stuffed the stat sheet for 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 4 dimes.&nbsp; Made good decisions as a passer, finished around the hoop, drained a mid-range jumper, got on the glass, and was active as a defender.&nbsp; Williams should be ready to go for the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thompson Continues to Be Productive for Kankakee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another 2026 prospect stepped up for his teammate as ranked junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1874852' first='Myair' last='Thompson'] had a big night going for 20 points.&nbsp; Lefty is a player that makes good decisions off live dribbles as a passer along with raining in an array of threes and pull ups.&nbsp; Scored several and-1s in transition with his body control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Playoff Outlooks for Both Squads</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the playoffs one week away let's look at the path for each team.&nbsp; Waubonsie Valley will start off at home in their 4A regional which they should be able to handle although they probably will get the top freshman in state in second round.&nbsp; Then they would travel to Benet for the sectional where they would have to play the host school in one of the toughest sectional semis around.&nbsp; If they get past that Bolingbrook will most likely be waiting on the other side to advance to a super.&nbsp; Kankakee is the top seed in the Washington 3A sectional.&nbsp; Pretty good draw in the regional which will be at Morris followed by a potential matchup with Morton or Metamora in the sectional semis.&nbsp; Peoria or East Peoria could wait for them in a sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->