State Finals: X-Factor Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who were the x-factors in Champaign during the IHSA Finals?&nbsp; We examine just that here!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2372438' first='Jaiden' last='Simmons'] (Hope Academy – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simmons might have the highest ceiling on Hope Academy.&nbsp; The 6'5” bouncy forward is at his best when playing off his athleticism.&nbsp; Did just that against Effingham St. Anthony where he threw down three lobs with nasty slams.&nbsp; High points rebounds in traffic and is an adept shot blocker protecting the rim.&nbsp; In that game had 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.&nbsp; It was more of the same in the championship game as he had three massive dunks along with being active on the glass for 12 points and 7 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2823650' first='Zyacn' last='Haverland'] (Eastland)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a block party for Haverland in the semis as the 6'4” post swatted shot after shot for Eastland.&nbsp; He was a force recording a 1A record 7 blocks in the semis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peyton Spears (Eastland)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like what we saw out of Spears in the semis as he was a great glue guy that did a little bit of everything.&nbsp; Stuffed the stat sheet for 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2464538' first='Zach' last='Winkeler'] (Althoff – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winkeler's job for Althoff is to let it fly!&nbsp; When he is open he does just that and hits them at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Patton Lieb (Althoff – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The football offensive tackle is a presence inside with the way he rebounds in his area and defends.&nbsp; Good positional defender that knows how to use his frame to his advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815712' first='Ricky' last='Coleman'] (Dyett – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman was the x-factor in the 2A state championship game.&nbsp; He is a speedy guard that has good length.&nbsp; Gets to the rim with ease for acrobatic finishes.&nbsp; In the title game he had 10 points (4-7 FG), 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2539984' first='Aaron' last='McClure'] (Christ the King – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This senior power forward is a super bouncy post that has a strong frame.&nbsp; He brings a lot of physicality to the table.&nbsp; Finishes with force out of the dunker spot and is effective at getting on the glass for second chance points.&nbsp; In the semis against Althoff he had 10 points and 7 rebounds.&nbsp; Very intriguing for small colleges and JUCOs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766504' first='Caden' last='Workman'] (Brother Rice – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Workman is a power forward that does a little bit of everything for Brother Rice.&nbsp; Skilled four that can play with his back to the basket along with facing up.&nbsp; Tough getting on the offensive glass for put backs along with sealing his man off for scores.&nbsp; Finishes out of the dunker spot.&nbsp; He had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the semis.&nbsp; In the championship game he wasn't very impactful scoring, but managed 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal.&nbsp; Small colleges and JUCOs should be on him as a great glue guy!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538949' first='KJ' last='Morris'] (Brother Rice – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morris was a major x-factor in the championship game against DePaul Prep.&nbsp; He used his strength advantage to take the Rams guards in the post and score.&nbsp; Strong bodied guard that is best operating inside exploiting mismatches as he had 11 points in the title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] (DePaul Prep – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers is a crafty combo guard that stuffs the stat sheet.&nbsp; He plays unselfish basketball doing whatever is asked of him to win.&nbsp; He had 3 points, 3 dimes, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals in their semifinal win.&nbsp; Similar stat line in the title game as he had 5 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2688322' first='Zach' last='Ausburn'] (Warren – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ausburn has been the x-factor for Warren all season long.&nbsp; Not a ton was expected out of the 6'6” four man coming into the season, but man has he delivered as a mobile rangy post that can defend, board, and score around the basket with touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Edward' last='Stasys'] (Benet – 2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stasys is a sophomore that showed some of the promise we have seen early in his career for Benet during the semis where he brought an instant spark off the bench.&nbsp; Rebounded in traffic with his strength and athleticism.&nbsp; Got put backs, had a big dunk, along with a euro step and-1 against Evanston for 7 points.&nbsp; He made the last play of the season in the championship by defending the ball with 0.3 seconds left and swatting it back to end the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->