Ted’s Takes: Five Best Tuesday Sectional Games

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the sectional rounds of the IHSA playoffs, here's a look at some of my favorite sectional semifinal games to watch on Tuesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) DePaul Prep vs (5) New Trier - Loyola Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two programs ranked 2nd and 17th in the state respectively will meet Tuesday evening in the 4A round-of-32. DePaul Prep, led by two D1 recruits in [player_tooltip player_id='1845360' first='Rashaun' last='Porter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1435692' first='Rykan' last='Woo'], have just one in-state loss this season. But with the return of [player_tooltip player_id='1554516' first='Christopher' last='Kirkpatrick'], the Trevians cannot be counted out. His impact was crucial to their upset win over St. Patrick on Friday. This group is hungry for another one despite losing to the Rams 50-36 down in Pontiac over the Holidays. All four PHI scouts picked the Rams to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(3) Peoria Richwoods vs (1) Normal - Rock Island Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will arguably be the best downstate matchup on Tuesday. For Peoria Richwoods, star sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] scored a whopping 31 points in the regional final vs Rock Island. But Normal Community and top 10 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2125642' first='Jarrel' last='Brown'] will be no easy task. I'll never pass up on an opportunity to see two of the states best underclassmen square off in a sectional semifinal. Both Josh Burish and I picked Richwoods to take down Normal. It will be a great game! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Homewood-Flossmor vs (4) Brother Rice - Joliet West Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have put together another impressive season. Stringing together wins over teams like Bolingbrook and Loyola. But they've had some tough losses to New Trier, Lockport, and Thornton. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='2467517' first='Darrius' last='Hawkins'] has made a tremendous impact thus far to their successes this season. But if there's any time where senior experience is needed. It's in the state playoffs. That's why I'm taking a risk and calling a Brother Rice upset tomorrow. Look out for senior Joe Niego and Junior [player_tooltip player_id='3427287' first='Aiden' last='Henderson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(2) Palatine vs (3) Hersey - Fremd Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A very underrated 2 vs 3 matchup. The two split the series in the regular season with the home team taking the win each time. But this will be a neutral setting at Fremd. Since January, Palatine has just one loss which came at Fremd in overtime. While Hersey had one loss in February which was also to Fremd. This will be a back-and-forth contest. Scott, picked Palatine, while Mike, Josh, and I picked Hersey. But it was honestly a toss-up for me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>(1) Triad vs (2) Centralia - Waterloo Sectional</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one in 3A to monitor. Triad has put together a very strong season with a 9-1 first place finish in the Mississippi Valley Conference. But the strength of schedule and recent results are a little worrisome. That's why I like 31-1 Centralia to come through in this matchup. Because they were in different sub-sectionals, Centralia has a lower seed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->