Ted's Takes: 4A Sectional Final Analysis (Part 1)

Only 16 teams remain in the biggest class of high school hoops in Illinois. We've already seen a big upset with Warren falling to Rockford Auburn. But I'd like to dive deeper into my analysis of these 4A championships. In this article, I'll preview the teams. As well as providing mock spreads, game totals, and a prediction. Here's part 1 to my list.   Fremd Sectional: Fremd vs Hersey   Original pick: Fremd over Palatine   I did not expect Palatine to lose by 14 to Hersey in the previous round. But that's what happens in March. For Hersey, [player_tooltip player_id='1552439' first='Logan' last='Luxem'] and Charlie Loomis have played a Crucial role as each player ranks top 60 in 2026. But Fremd still has the best prospect in this game with [player_tooltip player_id='2839970' first='Jordan' last='Williams'], the states #10 player. As well as three additional top 100 players in that class. In the regular season, Hersey dropped both matchups 67-63 and 82-75.   There's no doubt in my mind the Huskies can make this a close game. Especially since they've played better each round of this postseason. I can't imagine this game being a reach.   I'm a degenerate sports gambler. Obviously, we cannot bet on high school hoops. But if I ran a sports book, I'd put the spread at Fremd -6.5 and the total at 117.5   The Pick: Fremd 62, Hersey 56     Loyola Academy Sectional: DePaul Prep vs Evanston   Original Pick: DePaul over Loyola   The Rams have steamrolled into the sectional final. Running through the regionals for the 11th time in a row. Then routing New Trier by 19 points in the sectional semifinal. It seems like the rams haven't skipped a beat since jumping up to 4A this season. D1 signees [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] have catapulted them throughout the season. But [player_tooltip player_id='2376273' first='Zion' last='Lee'] and AJ chambers have proven to be X-factors in this lineup.   On the other hand, it took three overtimes last night for the Wildkits to knock off sectional hosts Loyola. But the absence of top 35 G [player_tooltip player_id='1552480' first='Trey' last='Williams'] definitely made that easier in the overtime stages. It will be interesting if fatigue will be a factor for some of their key guys given a less than 48-hour turnaround. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2405849' first='Timi' last='Ogunsanya'] scored a whopping 35 points for Evanston in the sectional semifinal. That includes eight points in the third overtime.   The Rams are rolling. I'd place the spread at DePaul Prep -11.5 with a total at 109.5.   The Pick: DePaul Prep 61, Evanston 47     Bolingbrook vs Benet: Bolingbrook Sectional   Original Pick: Benet over Bolingbrook   Led by Collin Stack, [player_tooltip player_id='2105390' first='Jayden' last='Wright'], and Edvardas Stasys, the Redwings have rolled their way into the sectional final. Winning by an average 39 points the last two games. It's been nothing different from them with just one loss on the season for the defending 4A champions.   But Benet is now facing Bolingbrook who just thrashed Neuqua Valley in their gym on Wednesday. They were led by sophomore sensation [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew']'s 25 points. It was a monster win for the Raiders who lost to Neuqua Valley in their own gym last month.   Pettigrew is the best prospect on the floor for either team. But Bolingbrook would not be there for the effort of the seniors on their roster. Including [player_tooltip player_id='2244002' first='Jayden' last='Madden'], who snagged 13 boards on Wednesday. But those boards won't be easy against 7'0" Collin Stack   I'd put Benet as a 7.5-point favorite in this game with a 114.5 total.   The Pick: Benet 59, Bolingbrook 53     Hononegah Sectional: Rockford Auburn vs Rockford Guilford   Original Pick: Warren over Waukegan   Despite it being two unranked teams, this might be my favorite matchup in 4A this weekend.   Rockford Auburn has a group of experienced seniors that have been building for this season. Headlined by North Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1845353' first='Amir' last='Danforth'], the Knights pulled off a miraculous upset over Warren where they controlled the contest for all 32 minutes. Danforth scored 30 points in that game. Mikwon Marshall and [player_tooltip player_id='2105407' first='Champ' last='Parker'] are key X-factors on this Auburn squad with plenty of varsity experience.   But Guilford, the NIC-10 champs, are in the midst of an incredible season which saw them secure a NIC 10 title and thrash a ranked Waukegan squad in the sectional semifinals. Branden Chatman has put together a sensational season for the Vikings as a two-way, three level scorer. He catapulted Guilford to two wins over Aubrun this season in a pair of tight contests.   Despite Guilford winning both matchups vs Aubrun this season, these games were incredibly tight. I imagine this one being the same. I'll put Guilford a 2.5-pt favorite with a total at 129.5. But the third time will be a charm for Auburn   The Pick: Rockford Aubrun 68, Rockford Guilford 64

Only 16 teams remain in the biggest class of high school hoops in Illinois. We've already seen a big upset with Warren falling to Rockford Auburn. But I'd like to dive deeper into my analysis of these 4A championships. In this article, I'll preview the teams. As well as providing mock spreads, game totals, and a prediction. Here's part 1 to my list.