X-Factors in 4A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While we know the stars are going to have a big say about what happens in the state tournament we wanted to examine some of the X-Factors on top teams in the 4A field that will be key if their teams make a run to Champaign!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards has been such an x-factor for the state's top team as the Philips transfer has brought plus shooting and leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766498' first='Kamren' last='Wires'] (Quincy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wires is a point guard who is excellent at getting his plethora of weapons involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2723823' first='Ethan' last='Howard'] (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howard has been a massive x-factor as a secondary scorer and defender on the perimeter for the defending champs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538930' first='Tyler' last='Thick'] (Hinsdale Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thick is a big guy that can board and protect the rim for Hinsdale Central who is rolling!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] (Marist)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tate is the spark for a Marist team who has had a great season.&nbsp; The point guard pushes tempo and gets others involved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125659' first='Kristopher' last='Mporokoso'] (Waubonsie Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the two seniors will carry them if Waubonsie goes all the way this top 10 sophomore will have a big part to do with it!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brost is a plus shooter from beyond the arc that can bring secondary scoring and passing to a team primed for a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538922' first='George' last='Richardson'] (Evanston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Richardson is an efficient big man that provides size up front for the Wildkits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552419' first='Ryan' last='Walsh'] (Benet)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walsh is a plus shooter that plays extremely well off Benet's other guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2277698' first='Miccah' last='Butler'] (Edwardsville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Butler impressed us this season as a smooth shot maker with deep range on his shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540096' first='Rafael' last='Pinto'] (Fremd)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pinto is a sneaky driver that can also hit from deep as a secondary scorer for Fremd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766465' first='Ikee' last='Brooks'] (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks doesn't get the attention of his brother, but for Rich to win it all he is going to need to play well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105429' first='Wood' last='Cary'] (Moline)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moline has two senior stars, two sophomore guards, and Cary as the junior that brings it all together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jae'vion Clark-Pugh (Rock Island)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a Rock Island team that is dominated by their guard play Clark-Pugh is an athletic four that plays with energy inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2400893' first='Larry' last='Harris'] (Lincoln Park)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is an undersized post that absolutely mauls on the glass.&nbsp; Does all the dirty work with their wings and guards scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105191' first='Hunter' last='Gawron'] (Niles North)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niles North is known for their guards, but Gawron can really go!&nbsp; He is a plus floor spacer that can shoot it from distance, protect rim, and play above hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2734415' first='Napolean' last='Harris'] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tough combo guard that plays well off Iggy's other stars with his shot making and defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545134' first='Jack' last='Duffer'] (Rolling Meadows)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lefty combo guard that has a knack for taking and making big shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389800' first='Logan' last='Glover'] (Glenbard West)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>High-motor power forward that is quick to the offensive glass and finishes in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2415816' first='Jahkil' last='Jackson'] (Curie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson comes off the bench typically for Curie as a microwave scorer that brings energy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2724328' first='Drew' last='Bartolai'] (Lane Tech)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Case Western Reserve commit is a tough glue guy for this sleeper 4A squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125591' first='Caden' last='Crudup'] (Whitney Young)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crudup has emerged as of late with his toughness and activity level as a sophomore guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->