Ted's Takes: 4A Sectional Final Analysis (Part 2)

Here's part 2 to my analysis on a loaded 4A sectional semifinal slate. Friday night might be one of the most exciting evenings of high school hoops in quite a while.   Bartlett Sectional: Glenbard East vs York   Original Pick: York over Glenbard East   Glenbard East is in the midst of one of their best seasons ever. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2839863' first='Michael' last='Nee'] headlines this group and is headed to play for South Dakota next season. But there's several other impact players on this roster. One including Jacob Maryowski, who dropped 28 points in the sectional semifinal against Wheaton Warrenville South in the sectional semifinal. Two additional seniors, [player_tooltip player_id='2415521' first='Danny' last='Snyder'] and Norm Loechel, also had strong performances on Tuesday.   This will be an incredibly challenging task for Glenbard East. As York is in the midst of their first ever 30-win season. Cruising past Glenbard North 58-44 in the sectional semifinal. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2839900' first='Joseph' last='Lubbe'] had a big game for the Dukes with 15 points in that contest. While multi-sport star Hunter Stepanich also reached double figures, and wa a key factor on the defensive end.   I would give Glenard East a slight 1.5-point edge as a favorite with a total of 116.5. York is very strong defensively, while Glenbard East can put points up at a strong pace   The Pick: York 57, Glenbard East 56     Mt. Carmel Sectional: Curie vs St. Ignatius   Original Pick: St. Ignaitus over Curie   Led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2734369' first='Justin' last='Oliver'], Curie cruised to a dominant victory over St. Laurence on Tuesday. For years, the Condors have reloaded with under-the-rader prospects who shine with grit. It showed on Tuesday as their senior-led squad beat a St. Laurence group with numerous promising sophomore and juniors. Their lone loss this season came to Benet Academy at the Pontiac tournament.   But the lone team to beat Benet this season was St. Ignatius. Matt Monroe has made the Wolfpack a perennial threat in the catholic league and state tournament since he took over as head coach. This years squad is headlined by Yale signee [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'], who scored the game-winning dunk to finalize a 14-point comeback vs Simeon in the previous round. [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] is also one of the states most exciting sophomores in his class. He's helped the Wolfpack win 11 in a row with just four losses on the season.   Curie will be a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 109.5. But I'm still picking an upset.   The Pick: St. Ignatius 55, Curie 51     Joliet West Sectional: Homewood-Flossmor vs Marist   Original Pick: Marist over Brother Rice   The 2024 4A champs are back in a familiar spot led by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'], who had an excellent showing in the sectional semifinal vs Brother Rice. I originally picked the Vikings to get upset in that round. But I was wrong.   This matchup will be incredibly challenging for Homewood-Flossmor, as Marist used defensive grit and experience to catapult them past Lockport in the sectional semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] led the way with an 18 point, 13 rebound double-double. But what was more impressive was the ability to hold Lockport to zero field goals in their first 16 attempts. In the payoffs, defense wins championships. That showed for the Redhawks as they cruised past Lockport. [player_tooltip player_id='1845365' first='Adoni' last='Vassilakis'] also stepped up big for them.   Despite a lower seeding, I'd place Marist as 3.5-point favorites with a 104.5 game total.   The Pick: Marist 53, Homewood-Flossmor 47     Rock Island Sectional: Edwardsville vs Peoria Richwoods   Original Pick: Peoria Richwoods over Alton   Both teams won nail-bitters to get here. For Edwardsville, they were thrashed by Alton earlier in the season. But turned things around in the sectional semifinal, as they held a 16-point lead vs the redbirds at one point. But even then, the Redbirds wouldn't go away as they forced overtime. Only for the Tigers to come through 52-51   There was even more madness in the Peoria Richwoods vs Normal semifinal. Down 2-points, [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] was controversially fouled on a 3-point try with seconds to pay in the contest. He buried all three free throws to send Richwoods to the sectional championship.   If there will be surprises tomorrow night, evidence shows it might come here. But I'll take Peoria Richwoods as they have the stronger resume. They'll be 5.5-point favorites in this game with a 106.5 total   The Pick: Peoria Richwoods 55, Edwardsville 52

Here's part 2 to my analysis on a loaded 4A sectional semifinal slate. Friday night might be one of the most exciting evenings of high school hoops in quite a while.