20 Pressure Point Games that Can Tip IHSA Brackets

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's look at 20 Pressure Point Games of the IHSA State Tournament brackets which will begin next week.&nbsp; These are all potential matchups before Champaign that could very well determine who ends up there.&nbsp; They are teams that if they get past this game could do some damage!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minooka Regional Final Potential Matchup<br>Rock Island vs Richwoods</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winner of this game could make a run to state, but also fall in the regional final.&nbsp; Rock Island would move on to the sectional on their home floor against top seed Normal Community.&nbsp; Led by [player_tooltip player_id='2712818' first='Deven' last='Marshall'] they can go deep, but will first have to get by a Richwoods team who has a high ceiling with sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>O'Fallon Regional Final Potential Matchup<br>Alton vs Belleville West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two best perimeter prospects in the metro east would clash for the right to advance to face conference foe Edwardsville.&nbsp; Alton has South Dakota State commit and the schools all-time leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='2376270' first='Semaj' last='Stampley'] along with junior emerging wing [player_tooltip player_id='2540188' first='Ryan' last='Howard'].&nbsp; Belleville West counters with top 10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2458187' first='J'dyn' last='Lloyd'] who can go off in a hurry!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rich Township Regional Final Potential Matchup<br>Marist vs Thornwood/Rich Township Winner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist has been one of the most up and down teams I have seen this year.  Their high is they can win a tournament like Centralia over the holiday beating multiple ranked teams.  When they haven't shot it well they are tough to watch.  Charles Barnes Jr has been the guy and he will be looked at along with [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'].  Thornwood has a pair of star young guards in [player_tooltip player_id='2877539' first='Lester' last='Watson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2879381' first='Mekhi' last='Young'] that can take over a game.  Rich would be on their home floor with a tough group led by [player_tooltip player_id='3187105' first='Kavon' last='Ammons'] and a great coach that wins these type of games!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fremd Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Palatine vs Hersey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winner of this gets Fremd on their home floor.&nbsp; Palatine has exceeded expectations and been so good with Tony Balanganyi inside and the sharp shooting of [player_tooltip player_id='2821321' first='Brady' last='May'].&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'], [player_tooltip player_id='2416503' first='Charlie' last='Pomis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3427255' first='Jake' last='Nawrot'] have been a winning trio for Hersey.&nbsp; Could see either pulling off an upset over Fremd if they win this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Curie vs Mt. Carmel/St. Laurence Winner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Either way top CPS squad Curie will get a test in the round of 32.&nbsp; They have the best player in the public league this year [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'] to lean on.&nbsp; Mt. Carmel could get them on their home floor and when their young trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2877491' first='Marshaun' last='Thornton'], [player_tooltip player_id='2915584' first='DK' last='Heard'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2767906' first='Ronald' last='Johnson'] have been clicking they are tough to beat.&nbsp; St. Laurence might be a little deeper and has the guard play to matchup with Curie in [player_tooltip player_id='2385372' first='Noah' last='Corro'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323617' first='Markese' last='Peoples'], [player_tooltip player_id='2125677' first='Reggie' last='Stevens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2532014' first='Logan' last='Brown'].<br><br><strong>Loyola Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>DePaul Prep vs St. Patrick/New Trier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tricky semi early game here for the 3 time defending champs DePaul Prep as Rashuan Porter, [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] will need to lean on their experience against a tough St. Pats or New Trier squad!<br><br><strong>Bolingbrook Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Neuqua Valley vs Bolingbrook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Best two sophomores in the state [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] going at it in the sectional semis?&nbsp; Sign us up!&nbsp; Also being on the floor of Bolingbrook.&nbsp; Winner probably gets Benet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NIU Super Sectional Potential Matchup<br>Warren vs Benet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be the state title before even getting to Champaign.&nbsp; Top player in the state [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] leads Warren after coming up just short to Benet a year ago in the state championship.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323620' first='Ed' last='Stasys'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'] will be ready as they have been the top team in state all year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morton Regional Final Potential Matchup<br>Morton vs Metamora</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that have spent a considerable amount of time in our PHI Top 40 this year and one will not even make it to the second week.&nbsp; Metamora has [player_tooltip player_id='2751060' first='Brady' last='Jones'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2916010' first='Sam' last='Koch'] leading the way, but Morton has won tough games all year and is on their home floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ottawa Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Kankakee vs East Peoria</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #1 senior in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] and Kankakee vs the #2 junior in state in Illini bound [player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] on East Peoria.&nbsp; This is one of those major swing games where if you win it could be a trip to Champaign, but could also fall mid-way through.&nbsp; Co-stars [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] along with Cole Dubois will play major roles in who wins this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hillcrest Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Leo vs Morgan Park</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leo has been outstanding all year long.&nbsp; Well coached, upper classmen have stepped up and the young prospects including [player_tooltip player_id='2964028' first='Elon' last='Henderson'] have showed promise.&nbsp; Morgan Park showed us some swagger with their guard play of Daniel Wallace and [player_tooltip player_id='2734410' first='Jacque' last='Lewis'] that they can pull off some upsets.&nbsp; Bracket could open up for either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waterloo Sectional Final Potential Matchup<br>East St. Louis vs Centralia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The best two teams in southern Illinois would meet up in the sectional final as a top 10 overall team and one of elite 3A title threats will gone before the supers.&nbsp; East St. Louis has dominated in-state competition all year long behind Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'].&nbsp; Centralia has depth and a caliber of talent they have rarely had including sophomore stars [player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springfield Super Sectional Potential Matchup<br>Decatur MacArthur vs East St. Louis/Centralia Winner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The winner of the game above will have to travel north to play Decatur MacArthur who has been the top team in central Illinois all year with [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323268' first='Tishawn' last='Clemmons'].&nbsp; Whoever takes this game will be the co-favorites with potentially Kankakee in Champaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Illinois Super Sectional Potential Matchup<br>Kankakee vs Kaneland</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaneland would get their first true test of the season against their first ranked team after racking up 30+ wins without a loss.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] are legit next level players leading Kaneland.&nbsp; Kankakee with their two top 10 prospects and depth on a college floor will be really tough.&nbsp; Win this and either has a shot to cut down the nets for the 3A crown!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pinckneyville Regional Final Potential Matchup<br>Nashville vs Pinckneyville/Trenton Wesclin<br></strong><br>Either way Nashville will get a tough test.&nbsp; The Hornets led by [player_tooltip player_id='1552415' first='Maddox' last='Ritzel'] will either have to play Pinckneyville on their home floor led by SIU commit [player_tooltip player_id='2323278' first='Ty' last='Laur'] or go up against Trenton Wesclin with [player_tooltip player_id='2963262' first='Gavin' last='Rahm'] being a lethal perimeter scorer.&nbsp; This is just to get out of the regional!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seneca Sectional Semi Potential Matchup<br>Yorkville Christian vs Bismark-Henning/Rossville-Alvin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the best and most explosive guards in the 2A field would go head to head here in SIUE bound [player_tooltip player_id='1874810' first='Jayden' last='Riley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1845359' first='Keison' last='Peoples'] who is a priority D2 get for Winona State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monticello Sectional Final Potential Matchup<br>Tolono Unity vs Teutopolis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game would pit two of the top ranked teams in the state all year against each other just to get to the supers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Christ the King Sectional Final Potential Matchup<br>Crane vs Hope</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Probably the two best Chicago 2A teams clash here.&nbsp; Hope is the reigning state champs and they have their two stars returning in [player_tooltip player_id='2338332' first='TyJuan' last='Hunter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2372438' first='Jaiden' last='Simmons'].&nbsp; Crane has a pair of top 30 prospects in junior [player_tooltip player_id='2125641' first='Jamier' last='Montgomery'] and senior [player_tooltip player_id='2454169' first='Brad' last='Blackman'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trico Sectional Final Potential Matchup<br>Woodlawn vs Waltonville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the best teams in 1A this season especially in southern Illinois.&nbsp; A lot of star power and these squads know each other well.&nbsp; They split the two regular season matchups.&nbsp; Woodlawn senior [player_tooltip player_id='2334406' first='Kyle' last='Cooper'] was at Waltonville last year playing alongside their stars [player_tooltip player_id='2383402' first='Jagger' last='Mayville'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1552409' first='Gage' last='Peterson'].&nbsp; Watch out for a potential upset as Sparta is a threat to upset Woodlawn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Macon Meridian Sectional Semi Final Potential Matchup<br>Tuscola vs Webber</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winner gets a shot at Lawrenceville probably for sectional title and could make a run to state.&nbsp; Webber has a big time scoring wing in [player_tooltip player_id='2823510' first='Nathaniel' last='Marlow'] while Tuscola is super deep!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->