If You Can Only See One 3A Sectional Final Which Do You Watch?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>***Use Code “ScottyB30” for 30% off your subscription***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sectional Final Friday is here!&nbsp; It is one of the best nights of hoops all year.&nbsp; The only problem is they are all at the same time at different locations.&nbsp; If you could only go to one 3A Sectional Final which would you pick?&nbsp; Here is my breakdown of the order that I would choose!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 East St. Louis vs Centralia</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be the game I cover on Friday so it makes sense that it sits at #1.&nbsp; These two have been destined for this game ever since the sectional teams were announced.&nbsp; Best two teams in southern Illinois this year both sit inside the top 10 overall of the PHI top 10.&nbsp; East St. Louis has played a tough schedule with all but one of their losses coming out of state.&nbsp; They have a superstar in Penn State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1873523' first='Jamison' last='White'] who is the most physically imposing player in the state.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2822953' first='Alex' last='Johnson'] brings a smooth scoring game on the perimeter being able to score from multiple levels.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2962335' first='Phillip' last='Jones'] is a junior guard that has his stock trending up!&nbsp; Centralia has rolled this year to a 32-1 record with their only loss coming to Marist.&nbsp; The biggest question is has their lack of scheduling top teams prepared them for this moment.&nbsp; The Orphans have the most talent they have had in a long time led by sophomore wings [player_tooltip player_id='2751256' first='Archie' last='Goewey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2826261' first='Kenny' last='Bratton'] who can do it all.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125643' first='Jaxson' last='Hancock'] runs the show at the point.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Meier and [player_tooltip player_id='2751229' first='Michael' last='Organ'] bring perimeter punch shooting it.&nbsp; True neutral site at Waterloo should make it an interesting 50/50 feel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: East St. Louis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 Decatur MacArthur vs Normal U-High</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fun game in central Illinois as Decatur MacArthur has been the best team in central Illinois all year long will take on a Normal U-High team that has the talent to pull off an upset.&nbsp; Decatur vs Normal in Springfield gives neither team a clear advantage.&nbsp; MacArthur backcourt of Tishawn Clemons and [player_tooltip player_id='2890389' first='Khymir' last='Carson'] are really clicking playing well off each other.&nbsp; Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2105414' first='Sean' last='Lee'] and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2381555' first='Kendall' last='Howell'] brings size and versatility.&nbsp; One of the best defenses in the state.&nbsp; Normal U-High sharp shooter [player_tooltip player_id='2532349' first='Owen' last='Kirby'] is among the top 20 juniors in the state.&nbsp; Excellent positional size and is a lethal shot maker.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2953859' first='Cameron' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2894776' first='Devin' last=''] Fitzgerald bring steadiness in the backcourt which they will need against the MacArthur pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Decatur MacArthur</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Morton vs Kankakee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kankakee is coming off a high level game against East Peoria that had a sectional final or even super sectional feel to it.  Now they move on to Morton who presents different challenges.  The Kays will continue to rely on their top 10 duo of [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] and Indiana State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] to carry the load.  Cedric Terrell has emerged as a true x-factor at the guard spot.  Morton relies heavily on the sharp shooting of [player_tooltip player_id='2734458' first='Alex' last='McKie'] who is among the best central Illinois sharp shooters in the senior class.  Brendan Petty is a lengthy junior forward with the arrow pointing up and this could be a statement type game for him to breakout state wide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Kankakee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Kaneland vs Crystal Lake South</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kaneland remains undefeated.&nbsp; They expected to see Sycamore here for the third time, but instead it is a talented Crystal Lake South team who is peaking at the right time and is always dangerous in March.&nbsp; Kaneland features top 10 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2391672' first='Jeffrey' last='Hassan'] inside who is a plus athlete and rim protector.&nbsp; Crystal Lake South will be able to throw several different looks at him with [player_tooltip player_id='2915369' first='Noah' last='Cook'], [player_tooltip player_id='2369943' first='John' last='Morgan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2369867' first='Ryan' last='Morgan'] up front.&nbsp; Kaneland's star senior lead guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft'] is a quick and shifty lead guard who can really fill it up!&nbsp; Committed to Grand Valley State.&nbsp; Keep tabs on [player_tooltip player_id='2750020' first='Carson' last='Trivellini'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2802061' first='Nick' last='Stowasser'] on the wings for CLS.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Kaneland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Lake Forest vs Deerfield</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deerfield is going to have a big advantage in this game with the home court advantage.&nbsp; They also have the best player on the floor in Dartmouth commit [player_tooltip player_id='1552404' first='Jake' last='Pollack'].&nbsp; He is an understated star at the high school level that does work with his low post game along with rebounding at a high rate and stretching the floor.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2217962' first='Evan' last='Nagler'] is a great secondary scorer for Deerfield.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2839873' first='Dominic' last='Mordini'] is rolling for Lake Forest as their go to senior bucket getter.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2499191' first='Rory' last='Haas'] has long been an intriguing floor spacing forward for us in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Deerfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 Wheaton St. Francis vs Wheaton Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs from the same city will travel to Hinsdale South to play this one.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2125634' first='Hayden' last='Schroeder'] is the #3 overall player in the 2027 class and a force inside for Wheaton Academy.&nbsp; Super skilled and tough.&nbsp; Will actually be going up against his coach with the [program_tooltip program_id='2078448' first='Illinois' last='Wolves'] on the other side.&nbsp; Wheaton St. Francis will throw size at him in 6'7” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2389886' first='Ben' last='Whorlow'].&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2382444' first='Tanner' last='Hozian'] is heating up as a senior!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Wheaton Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 Leo vs Hillcrest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The south suburbs will be ready for this one as Hillcrest will host this game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2540107' first='Jamir' last='Ratliff'] is a senior guard that is playing the best hoops of his career as the 6'1” guard dropped 33 points in their last game.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2499153' first='Jaylen' last='West'] is a junior wing to track as well for Hillcrest.&nbsp; Leo can throw a bunch of different guys at you in [player_tooltip player_id='2532329' first='Jeremiah' last='Echols'], [player_tooltip player_id='2632058' first='Karon' last='Shavers'], [player_tooltip player_id='2323606' first='Asa' last='Harris'], Brian Kizer, etc in the backcourt.&nbsp; Up front they have a future star in 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2964028' first='Elon' last='Henderson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Leo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Hyde Park vs De La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>De La Salle gets this CPS vs CCL clash on their home floor.&nbsp; Hyde Park relies on their depth of guards that includes [player_tooltip player_id='2864925' first='Amare' last='LeFlore'], [player_tooltip player_id='2962331' first='Lonnie' last='Mosley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2540031' first='Kye' last='Ward-Owens'], and more to bring fire power on the perimeter.&nbsp; Meteors counter with [player_tooltip player_id='2963414' first='Stephen' last='Dixon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2323307' first='Lucas' last='Johnson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pick: Hyde Park</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->