Ted’s Takes: Previewing the 3A and 4A Super-Sectionals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Given that I've already analyzed all 16 super-sectionalists, I'll try to make this article very brief. We've got eight exciting games Monday evening with state playoff berths on the line. Here's what I think happens.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brother Rice vs Peoria</strong> <strong>- 3A Pontiac</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game is definitely a toss-up featuring two squads that haven't been to this point at quite some time. Peoria will have the best player on the floor in LeShawn Stowers. But the Crusaders also have a D1 guard heading to The Citadel next season in [player_tooltip player_id='1545120' first='Marcos' last='Gonzales']. The roster around Gonzales seems a little more complete, too. THE PICK: Brother Rice</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Patrick vs Mt. Carmel - 3A UIC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rematch from last seasons super-sectional which saw Mt. Carmel win 56-46 in overtime. Both teams return a handful of key players, so it should be another tight game. Mt. Carmel will be the favorite given their ranking and overall strength of schedule. But don't count out the Shamrocks. Recently getting a big road victory over Benet shows me they can compete with any team. I'd take the Shamrocks to cover a spread but I still think Mt. Carmel is the better team. THE PICK: Mt. Carmel (close)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DePaul Prep vs Kaneland</strong> <strong>- 3A NOW Arena</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams were in this exact same scenario just last year and they ran all over Crystal Lake South to reach the state playoffs. Kaneland has just one loss all season but have yet to play anyone near the level of DePaul. This is the easiest pick in 3A. THE PICK: DePaul Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenwood vs Triad - 3A Springfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two downstate squads I haven't; covered much. Triad looks as dangerous as anyone right now. They're a very tough match defensively, which has helped them win 22 of their last 23 games. This includes holding all four opponents to under 40 points this postseason. Glenwood is also good on defense while holding the last 3/6 opponents to under 30 points. Expect this to be a gritty, low-scoring game. THE PICK: Triad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quincy vs Benet - 4A ISU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This might be the best game of the day featuring high-end talent. Benet is a team with high-IQ guards and elite size. While Quincy has an experienced group which has played together for quite some time. Several D1 prospects including [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'], [player_tooltip player_id='1385298' first='Bradley' last='Longcor'], and <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/il/lisle/benet-academy-redwings/athletes/daniel-pauliukonis/?careerid=lh6f7rjelg7qa">[player_tooltip player_id='1598682' first='Daniel' last='Pauliukonis']</a> will be taking the floor. It's a game that could go wither way. But Benet has played as good as anyone lately and made it easy to come out of a very challenging 4A Sectional. THE PICK: Benet</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Glenbard West vs Evanston</strong> <strong>- 4A NOW Arena</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams head back to this spot for the first time in a few years. Glenbard West is very exciting with a duo of exciting juniors leading the way. Evanston is a team full of speedy guards who have tons of experience. It's an exciting group that's won their last 11/12 games. THE PICK: Evanston</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kenwood vs Rich Township</strong> <strong>- 4A UIC</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kenwood has one loss of the year and that came against Rich Township. The Broncos needed to get out of some very challenging games against Simeon and Curie to reach this point. They have a rising superstar in [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] along with experienced players in [player_tooltip player_id='1385283' first='Aleks' last='Alston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards']. As mentioned, Rich has had some excellent wins along with bad losses. It's a team that can definitely win this game and beat two elite competitors in Marist and Homewood-Flossmor to get here. THE PICK: Kenwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rolling Meadows vs Warren - 4A NIU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two elite players in their respective classes will go at it. Rolling Meadows has the top 2025 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='1385299' first='Ian' last='Miletic']. While Warren has [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'], a high-energy sophomore who's been a difference maker for two seasons. I love what Warren has accomplished this season. But Rolling Meadows seems a little more put together right now. THE PICK: Rolling Meadows</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->