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10 Best Sectional Finals to Watch

10 Best Sectional Finals to Watch
Scott Burgess
Scott Burgess March 7, 2025 @ 09:00 AM
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In this article:

Trey Birditt
Trey Birditt 6'0" | PG/SG | 2026
IL
Nick Stowasser
Nick Stowasser 6'4" | SF/SG | 2027
IL
Carson Trivellini
Carson Trivellini 6'2" | SG | 2027
IL
Justin Oliver
Justin Oliver 5'11" | PG | 2026
IL
Jayden Williams
Jayden Williams 6'4" | SF | 2026
IL
Jack Weigus
Jack Weigus 6'3" | SG | 2025
IL
Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson 6'5" | SG | 2025
IL
Nyshawn Turner
Nyshawn Turner 6'5" | PF | 2025
IL
Freddy Hassan
Freddy Hassan 6'6" | PF | 2025
IL
Jeffrey Hassan
Jeffrey Hassan 6'8" | C | 2027
IL
Markese Peoples
Markese Peoples 6'1" | SG | 2027
IL
Jaxson Davis
Jaxson Davis 6'1" | PG | 2027
IL
Claude Mpouma
Claude Mpouma 6'7" | C | 2026
IL
Jordan Williams
Jordan Williams 6'6" | PF/PG | 2026
IL
Alanas Castillo
Alanas Castillo 6'5" | SG | 2025
IL
TJ Seals
TJ Seals 6'5" | PF | 2025
IL
Javerion Banks
Javerion Banks 6'1" | SG | 2025
IL
Jarrel Brown
Jarrel Brown 6'5" | SF | 2027
IL
Devin Cleveland
Devin Cleveland 6'2" | PG | 2027
IN
Bryden Gryzmala
Bryden Gryzmala 6'0" | PG | 2025
IL
Kobe Walker
Kobe Walker 6'9" | C | 2025
IL
Grant Best
Grant Best 6'3" | SG | 2025
IL
Matas Gaidukevicius
Matas Gaidukevicius 6'5" | SG | 2025
IL
Arden Eaves
Arden Eaves 6'5" | SF | 2025
IL
Dierre Hill
Dierre Hill 6'0" | SG | 2025
IL
Brent Taylor
Brent Taylor 6'3" | SG | 2025
IL
Noah Mister
Noah Mister 6'2" | PG | 2026
IL
Jaali Love
Jaali Love 6'7" | PF | 2026
IL
Jamson Coulter
Jamson Coulter 6'2" | SG | 2026
IL
Simereon Carter
Simereon Carter 6'1" | SG | 2026
IL
Jayden Tyler
Jayden Tyler 6'0" | PG | 2025
IL
Leshawn Stowers
Leshawn Stowers 6'4" | SF | 2025
IL
Zerrick Johnson
Zerrick Johnson 6'2" | PG | 2025
IL
EJ Mosley
EJ Mosley 6'0" | PG | 2025
IL
Al Brooks
Al Brooks 6'6" | PF | 2025
IL
Kaden Rakers
Kaden Rakers 5'11" | PG | 2025
IL
Marshawn Cocroft
Marshawn Cocroft 6'0" | PG | 2026
IL
Gabriel Sularski
Gabriel Sularski 6'6" | SF | 2026
UT
Jacob Rice
Jacob Rice 6'4" | SG/CG | 2025
IL
Matthew Zobrist
Matthew Zobrist 6'5" | SG | 2025
IL
Samuel Hirsch
Samuel Hirsch 6'3" | SG | 2025
IL
Dominique Clay
Dominique Clay 6'4" | SF | 2025
IL
Marcos Gonzales
Marcos Gonzales 6'3" | SG | 2025
IL
Xavi Granville
Xavi Granville 6'2" | SG | 2025
IL
AJ Demirov
AJ Demirov 6'0" | PG | 2025
IL
Keshaun Thomas
Keshaun Thomas 6'6" | C | 2025
IL
Cameron Thomas
Cameron Thomas 6'3" | PG | 2025
IL
Ian Miletic
Ian Miletic 6'5" | SF | 2025
IL
Bradley Longcor
Bradley Longcor 6'3" | PG | 2025
IL
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night is Sectional Finals across the state of Illinois!&nbsp; We look at the 10 Best games to watch on one of the best nights of hoops all year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood vs Curie (Hinsdale Central)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rematch of the city championship from a couple weeks ago will decide who moves on to the super sectional.&nbsp; It was a close game then and we expect another epic contest.&nbsp; Both won games in the last minute to advance to this game.&nbsp; They are battle tested and super talented.&nbsp; Kenwood has the super star sophomore in [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] who can go off at any time.&nbsp; This is the type of game that can give him an edge in player of the year race.&nbsp; Their x-factor is always [player_tooltip player_id='2321397' first='TJ' last='Seals'] who had the big tip in to send the last game to OT.&nbsp; Curie has a standout point guard of their own in [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] who has had a breakout season as a junior.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2452415' first='Brad' last='Johnson'] made the game winning shot in the sectional semis and will need to put up points for Curie to win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Homewood Flossmoor vs Rich Township (Rich Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rich Township has a ton of momentum after looking like their season was over then having an epic comeback win on Wednesday to propel them into this game.&nbsp; They have a ton of fire power with stars [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr, [player_tooltip player_id='2734366' first='Jayden' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1845352' first='Jamson' last='Coulter'].&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2400721' first='Nyshawn' last='Turner'] is a name that has been creating a ton of buzz over the last few weeks.&nbsp; HF has to go on the road for this one, but the defending state champs have Wofford commit [player_tooltip player_id='1774274' first='Jayden' last='Tyler'] leading the way as a scoring combo guard.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2044507' first='Brent' last='Taylor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2105169' first='Arden' last='Eaves'] give them major scoring pop from the wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Warren vs Waukegan (Waukegan)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Warren and Waukegan will clash at Waukegan.&nbsp; After the buzzer beater by Carson Newsome to send Waukegan to this game many have visions of Jereme Richmond hitting “The Shot” when these two matched up 15+ years ago.&nbsp; Warren will have the best player on the floor in sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] who can control a game in so many ways.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] is a plus shot maker that can pour in threes and play above the rim.&nbsp; The host school Waukegan has a core four of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1465916' first='Xavi' last='Granville'] along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='1845356' first='Jaali' last='Love'], [player_tooltip player_id='1845351' first='Simereon' last='Carter'], and Newsome that have played well as a group this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quincy vs Normal Community (Collinsville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quincy wants this one bad after the way their season ended a year ago in heartbreaking fashion to Normal.&nbsp; They come in as one of the favorites in 4A and through three games have not let off the gas.&nbsp; Veteran group led by top 10 senior Santa Clara bound guard [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'], Drury post commit [player_tooltip player_id='1385308' first='Keshaun' last='Thomas'], and Austin Peay commit [player_tooltip player_id='1545125' first='Dominique' last='Clay'] on the wing.&nbsp; Normal will counter with a force inside in [player_tooltip player_id='2105203' first='Kobe' last='Walker'] who put on a show rebounding and sealing in the last game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2823571' first='Trey' last='Birditt'] is a sleeper guard that had a big sectional semi and sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='2125642' first='Jarrel' last='Brown'] is one of the best small forwards in the 2027 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fremd vs Rolling Meadows (Schaumburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1385299' first='Ian' last='Miletic'] is the top player in the senior class and the Marquette commit showed out in the last game winning with a 37 point performance.&nbsp; They will need more of that against a super tough defense in Fremd along with a pair of offensive threats in junior power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2323270' first='Jordan' last='Williams'] and senior sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='1545144' first='Samuel' last='Hirsch'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice vs Lemont (Brother Rice)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that are looking really good at the right time of year here.&nbsp; Brother Rice will be on their home floor and have the Chicago Catholic League player of the year in [player_tooltip player_id='1545120' first='Marcos' last='Gonzales'] on their side.&nbsp; He is a smooth scorer that can take over a game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2538898' first='Jack' last='Weigus'] has been his Robin all season.&nbsp; For Lemont it is about the three muskateers in [player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'], [player_tooltip player_id='2105174' first='Matas' last='Gaidukevicius'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2321410' first='Alanas' last='Castillo'].&nbsp; Sularski has been on a tear all second half of the season while their other two senior wings are lights out shot makers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel vs St. Laurence (Glenbard South)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a Catholic League clash for the right to move on to the supers.&nbsp; Mt. Carmel has a ton of big game experience with their run to state last year.&nbsp; As always they will rely on their big 3 on the perimeter of Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'], [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'].&nbsp; Football star [player_tooltip player_id='2323290' first='Claude' last='Mpouma'] could be an x-factor inside with his pure size especially on the defensive end.&nbsp; St. Laurence has a ton of depth and balance which is their strength.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1550741' first='Jacob' last='Rice'] is a highly ranked uncommitted senior who can really shoot the ball.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1766462' first='Zerrick' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'] are slashers.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1766461' first='EJ' last='Mosley'] can hit the deep ball along with setting everyone up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metamora vs Peoria (Washington)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When two of the top 5 seniors in the state matchup in a win or career is over game it has a chance to be special.&nbsp; That is the case here as Metamora star [player_tooltip player_id='1545146' first='Matthew' last='Zobrist'] (Bradley) and Peoria wing [player_tooltip player_id='1766506' first='Leshawn' last='Stowers'] (Miami OH) are big physical wings with ball skills that can score from all over the floor.&nbsp; This one should be fun!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crystal Lake South vs Kaneland (Rochelle)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's call this the matchup of two of the best Chicago area teams no one talks about.&nbsp; Crystal Lake South is 30-4 on the season and has a big time leader at the point in senior [player_tooltip player_id='1433337' first='AJ' last='Demirov'] that can make shots and play with flair.&nbsp; Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='2802061' first='Nick' last='Stowasser'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2750020' first='Carson' last='Trivellini'] have made names during this playoff run.&nbsp; Kaneland is 31-1 and has not lost a single game since November.&nbsp; Inside it is senior [player_tooltip player_id='2391706' first='Freddy' last='Hassan'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] who are a force on both ends.&nbsp; Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] is a shifty guard that can put up points in a hurry!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Althoff vs Breese Central (Carterville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The most intriguing 2A game of the night is this one.&nbsp; Althoff won what many thought was the 2A title in the regional championship over Pinckneyville.&nbsp; They still have four more wins to go to actually get the trophy.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105165' first='Dierre' last='Hill'] Jr is a force on both ends of the floor and [player_tooltip player_id='2105302' first='Bryden' last='Gryzmala'] just makes winning plays.&nbsp; Breese Central is looking to take down another 2A giant after wins over a pair of D1 seniors in Columbia and Benton the last two games.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1618009' first='Kaden' last='Rakers'] is the one to watch for Breese Central.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Friday night is Sectional Finals across the state of Illinois!  We look at the 10 Best games to watch on one of the best nights of hoops all year!

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