Ted’s Takes: Wednesday’s Top Five Sectional Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the second day of sectional semifinals, let's take a look at five more games to monitor for Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(2) Evanston vs (3) Loyola - Loyola Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was shocked to see that I was the only PHI scout to pick Loyola in this game. The Ramblers have shown they can compete with anyone in the state. But they lost a 63-61 nail-bitter at Evanston earlier in the season. With this game at Loyola, I'm backing the Ramblers and 6'2" G [player_tooltip player_id='1552480' first='Trey' last='Williams'] to take out the Wildkits on Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(2) Neuqua Valley vs (3) Bolingbrook - Bolingbrook Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top two sophomores in the state will go head to head with [player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] squaring off. Neuqua Valley is in the midst of an incredible 31-1 season which includes a 75-69 win over Bolingbrook last month. In fact, their last loss came back in November. But it won't be easy trying to beat Bolingbrook twice in their house in one season. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2244002' first='Jayden' last='Madden'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552408' first='TJ' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1874876' first='Trey' last='Brost'] are key pieces surrounding Pettigrew. Mike and I picked Bolingbrook to win this game. While Scotty and Josh picked Neuqua Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(2) Marist vs (3) Lockport - Joliet West Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marist has been building for this season and it would be a big disappointment if they fell short. Three top-50 seniors headline this roster including [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1552436' first='Karson' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1552445' first='Charles' last='Barnes Jr']. While top 80 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1845365' first='Adoni' last='Vassilakis'] has four years of varsity experience. But Lockport is in the midst of an incredible season. Junior twins [player_tooltip player_id='2125668' first='Nedas' last='Venckus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125671' first='Nojus' last='Venckus'] have taken the spotlight this season. While fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='2822689' first='Nate' last='Munson'] is an x-factor who I've covered many times on the PH circuit. If you ask me who wins next year, I'd say Lockport. But I'm going to take Marist. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(2) St. Ignatius vs (11) Simeon - Mt. Carmel Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolfpack cannot ignore what Simeon did last week. Knocking off both Riverside-Brookfield and Whitney Young as a lower seed to reach this point. Despite just one loss in the Chicago area this season, the [program_tooltip program_id='2076046' first='Wolverines' last=''] might have met their match. Yale commit [player_tooltip player_id='2323283' first='Chris' last='Bolte'] is a top 12 prospect in 2026 and has a terrific running-mate in top 10 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker']. Top 100 senior Napoleon Harris and top 50 junior [player_tooltip player_id='2125620' first='Duke' last='Ross'] are great complementary pieces. I think Simeon has met their match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Kankakee vs (2) East Peoria - Ottawa Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A matchup between the top 2026 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] vs the #2 2027 prospect in [player_tooltip player_id='2125674' first='Quinton' last='Kitt'] is one we cannot ignore. Kanakee cruised into the sectional semifinals, winning by a combined 79 points in the first two games. While East Peoria combined to win by just 20 points in their first two games. Playing somewhat close with Washington and Peoria. Even though Kitt is an elite prospect, the Kays have more surrounding their superstar in [player_tooltip player_id='1552625' first='EJ' last='Hazelett'] (#7 2026 prospect), Kenaz Jackson Jr, and [player_tooltip player_id='1552428' first='Marshawn' last='Cocroft']. As well as several other ranked seniors with plenty of experience. All five scouts have Kankakee advancing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->