5 Takeaways: DePaul Prep vs Mt. Carmel

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of the premier teams in the state with championship aspirations in March clashed on Monday night as DePaul Prep hosted Mt. Carmel.&nbsp; Early on Mt. Carmel jumped out to a quick 9-2 start.&nbsp; DePaul Prep controlled the tempo to their pace the rest of the half evening it up at halftime 19-19.&nbsp; The second half was with a possession back and forth all game long.&nbsp; DePaul Prep won it 41-38.&nbsp; Here is our recap in <strong>5 Takeaways: DePaul Prep vs Mt. Carmel</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chambers and Balance Gets Job Done for DePaul Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The go to player in big games for DePaul Prep the last two years has been [player_tooltip player_id='1978593' first='PJ' last='Chambers'].&nbsp; The senior shooting guard stepped up in a major way throughout the game hitting big shots and getting to the line.&nbsp; The southpaw drained three from beyond the arc.&nbsp; Also knocked in a runner and deep pull up two along with multiple trips to the line for 19 points.&nbsp; Balanced scoring for the rest of the squad.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='2323334' first='AJ' last='Chambers'] the younger brother hit a three scoring 4 points.&nbsp; Top 10 sophomore big man [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] looked comfortable banging in a three along with a post score and good defense around the hoop for 6 points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1545133' first='Makai' last='Kvamme'] was a monster defensively along with using his creativity off the bounce for 5 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Defense Wins Championships</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The DePaul Prep program is built on defense and toughness.&nbsp; That was shown in this win. After that quick spurt to begin the game the Rams put the clamps on.&nbsp; The guards passed guys off on the perimeter not allowing much dribble penetration, contested shots, and created turnovers.&nbsp; Big men used their length inside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DePaul Prep Primed for Run Back to State</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year DePaul Prep won 2A.&nbsp; They got bumped up to 3A this year.&nbsp; Their path is let's just say VERY favorable to reach Champaign again.&nbsp; Would be quite a feat to win it all in back to back years after getting moved up a class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Carmel Adjusting Without Swiss Army Knife on the Fly into Playoffs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The reality of the Caravan being without [player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] for the foreseeable future is starting to set in.&nbsp; Their do it all top 30 senior is sidelined and status is up in the air for the remainder of the season.&nbsp; They will have to rely even more on Northwestern star [player_tooltip player_id='1373436' first='Angelo' last='Ciaravino'].&nbsp; The Northwestern commit got on the offensive glass for several put backs, put it on the deck for slippery drives, and hit a pair of threes for 18 points.&nbsp; Now they need to find consistency behind him.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] was their next leading scorer in this one with 8 points.&nbsp; Rebounds well for a guard, plays physical, and can hit a three as he did to close the 3^rd quarter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caravan Path to Champaign</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their sectional is no gimme.&nbsp; Mt. Carmel will have to go out and win it.&nbsp; Potential matchups with near by Hyde Park and either De La Salle, St. Laurence, or Lindblom in the sectional final.&nbsp; Ciaravino is the type of player though that can take over a state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->