Around the State: March 13
It was super sectional night across the state of Illinois in 3A and 4A on Tuesday night. Let’s dive into the eight games and see who is advancing to state.
3A
Marian Catholic defeats Metamora 49-46 in OT
Mr. Big Shot sent his team into the final four. Marian Catholic 2019 guard Malik Tidwell is a prospect that isn’t afraid to take the big shot and he did that drilling a three as time expired in overtime to send Marian Catholic to Peoria. Tidwell had 11 points as did top 10 sophomore Ahron Ulis.
Morgan Park defeats North Lawndale 71-59
No problems in this one for the 3A state title favorites. The state’s top 2018 prospect Ayo Dosunmu will head back to Peoria to play in front of tons of Illini fans. He had 17 points in the win. Unsigned senior bouncy forward Cameron Burrell had 17 as well. Tennessee State commit Kenyon Duling posted 16 points. Also worth noting that top 15 UAB commit Tamell Pearson returned from an eye injury that cost him most of the season.
Springfield Southeast defeats Marion 56-51
Marion’s Cinderella ride comes to an end in Springfield on Tuesday night. They gave Southeast all they wanted tough, but it wasn’t enough. Southeast top 10 junior Anthony Fairlee was in foul trouble. Kobe Medley had 19 points. Marion’s Justin Saddoris finished with 13 points.
North Chicago defeats Rockford Boylan 69-55
Bit of a surprise here as Boylan is knocked off by North Chicago. When I saw North Chicago in November at the Adam Lopez Thanksgiving Tournament I wouldn’t have thought they would be in Peoria. Credit them for getting better and playing more than the sum of their parts.
4A
Whitney Young defeats Simeon 71-66 in OT
Simeon barely survived the sectional final and the best team in Illinois all year couldn’t pull out another close one Tuesday. Whitney Young defeated Simeon for the second straight year in the state tournament in overtime. Their top 10 duo of Valpo commit Javon Freeman and South Florida signee Xavier Castaneda each had 19 points. Senior wing Justin Boyd went for 11 points. PrepHoopsIllinois Player of the Year Talen Horton-Tucker finished his amazing career with 24 points. Junior point guard Kejuan Clements chipped in 16 points.
Belleville West defeats West Aurora 81-43
It wasn’t close as the premier team from southern Illinois destroyed West Aurora at the Normal Super Sectional. Elite 2019 power forward EJ Liddell did what he normally does recording a double double of 26 points, 11 boards, 3 dimes, and 4 blocks. Wright State commit Malachi Smith had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 rebounds. Keith Randolph did the junk work inside for a 10 point and 10 rebound effort. West Aurora was led by Wyoming football commit Camron Donatlan with 22 points.
Larkin defeats Benet 53-46
Pierre Black was the story in this game. The sharp shooter drilled threes all night connecting on five of them for 18 points leading Larkin in scoring. Unsigned senior wing Anthony Lynch contributed 16 points. Tough night for the state’s top uncommitted post Jalen Shaw with 5 points (2-9 FG) and 8 turnovers. He did grab 11 boards however. David Buh led Benet in scoring with 19 points.
Evanston defeats Lake Zurich 78-52
Evanston took it to Lake Zurich in the super sectional on Tuesday night. Junior point guard Jahiem Holden sliced and diced his way to 23 points. The scary part for Evanston is their best players are all juniors and freshman. Tough 2019 point guard JR Cison had 19 points for Lake Zurich.
Check back on Thursday for previews of the Final Four games along with prospects to watch in Peoria!