Analyzing the 3A Sectional Champions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With eight sectional champions awarded in 3A, I've decided to take some time to recap what each has accomplished and how they've met or exceeded my expectations this season. This list is in no particular order.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: 27</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoffs Rank: 14</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crusaders took home their first sectional championship since 2005 on Friday. Ending a 20-year drought. Senior leadership has been pivotal to their success this season. Backcourt duo of [player_tooltip player_id='1545120' first='Marcos' last='Gonzales'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2538898' first='Jack' last='Weigus'] lead this team as each has shown tremendous poise and confidence in key situations. [player_tooltip player_id='2538949' first='KJ' last='Morris'] is also an x-factor. playing strong on many instances when PrepHoops Scouts were watching. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peoria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: 36</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoffs Rank: 13</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's been a year to remember for Peoria. After beginning the season 36th, the Lions found themselves ranked 13th in the state with tons of key wins. Most recently taking down 3A power Metamora in the sectional final. The heart and soul of this team is obviously 6'4 F [player_tooltip player_id='1766506' first='Leshawn' last='Stowers'], who's headed to Miami (OH) next year. But I was high impressed with 2028 G [player_tooltip player_id='2834045' first='Nigel' last='Moore']. The freshman had some big moments lately and plays beyond his years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St Patrick</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoffs Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shamrocks took down Fenwick in the Little Village Sectional Friday Night. It's been an up and down season for Pats, but taking down a ranked side in Fenwick should surely clinch them a spot in the final rankings. They also took down Benet earlier in the year. [player_tooltip player_id='2815595' first='Nevaeh' last='Hawkins'] and EJ Ireland are two seniors stepping up when needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: 15</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoffs Rank: 12</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They were runners-up in 3A last season. Throughout the season, the Caravan have showed they are more than capable of making another deep run. [player_tooltip player_id='2105179' first='Grant' last='Best'] has taken advantage of a larger role this season. [player_tooltip player_id='1845357' first='Noah' last='Mister'] has shown exceptional ball skills and will be a two-way threat this coming week when they play St. Pats in the UIC super-sectional.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DePaul Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: 1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoffs Rank: 5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams are looking to three-peat as state champions. They've had a few tough losses on the season, but have recently steamrolled through the Antioch Sectional. The Rams have reloaded yet again for another run at the 3A Championship. [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'], [player_tooltip player_id='1385297' first='Jonas' last='Johnson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1385311' first='Robert' last='Walls'] are three key seniors who could all win their third state championship. Jr guard [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] has been just as crucial to the rams success since his transfer from young.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaneland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoff Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a frenzy of a week for Kaneland. A group that's 31-1 that's almost had to forfeit the sectional title game for using an ineligible player. But that was overruled shortly before their win vs Crystal Lake South Friday night. The strength of schedule was the only thing keeping Kaneland out of my rankings. They'll face their toughest test Monday vs DePaul.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoff Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 23-9 Titans are on somewhat of a cinderella run right now. Just recently knocking off Mt. Zion in the Decatur Eisenhower sectional. Quincy commit [player_tooltip player_id='2538879' first='Mason' last='Neumann'] has been a valuable interior presence with his strong frame and athletic build. Came up big in the win over Mt. Zion on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Triad</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Preseason Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pre-Playoff Rank: NR</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Triad's win over Centralia in the Marion Sectional final was one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs thus far. Taking them down 28-26 in a classic defensive battle. Triad will face Glenwood in the Bank of Spingfield Super-Sectional Monday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->