Super Tuesday IHSA Class 3A Super Sectional Breakdown!!!!!!!!!!

Super Tuesday, Super Sectional Tuesday and Class 3A is going to be very competitive, anybody can win State in this class. Here we go in bracket order; NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Lutheran(Rockford) vs Notre Dame(Peoria)-Frankly I don't know a thing about either team so I will venture a guess: PREDICTION: PEORIA NOTRE DAME PUNCHES IT'S TICKET BACK HOME. SPRINGFIELD: Cahokia vs Lincoln- Lincoln is ranked #1 in the state in 3A and Cahokia has two division 1 players in St Louis signee Darius Austin (6'6" senior) and Drake signee CJ Rivers( 6'2" senior). Also Cahokia is looking for a return trip to Peoria for a school that almost shut all of it's athletic programs down for this season due to lack of funds. Obviously they received a reprieve. PREDICTION: CAHOKIA PUNCHES IT'S RETURN TRIP TO PEORIA!!!!!! JOLIET CENTRAL: Bogan(Chicago) vs Morgan Park(Chicago)- This game will be a way as both Red South rivals are meeting for a 4th time. Bogan won both regular season meetings and Morgan Park won at the semifinals of the Proviso West tournament. Luwane Pipkins (5'9" junior) has had a 45 point game in the playoffs and his backcourt mate Bryce Barnes (5'9" sophomore) will be key as well as Antonio Thomas (6'7"junior) will be key on the boards against a big Morgan Park team. As for Defending Class 3A Champ Morgan Park their keys will be defensive ace Lamont Walker(6'5" senior). His defense against Pipkins in the last 3 meetings has been outstanding. Josh Cunningham(6'7" senior) will have to dominate to put his team on top. Charlie Moore(5'9" sophomore) will have to play under control which I think he will PREDICTION: MORGAN PARK PUNCHES IT'S TICKET TO PEORIA AND GET A CHANCE TO DEFEND IT'S TITLE!!!!! HOFFMAN ESTATES: North Chicago vs Orr(Chicago)- I will be at this game once again this year. Last year Orr just ran all over North Chicago. A lot of trash talk the last part of last season by North Chicago saying Orr was scared to play them in the regular season. Orr shut down that talk with an emphatic beatdown last year here at Hoffman Estates. Will the same thing happen this year? Will North Chicago get revenge? Here's the breakdown:North Chicago's Big Three of Murray State signee Jayquan McCloud(6'4" senior), Toledo commit Kurt Hall(6'6" senior), and Javarious Amos-Mays (6'4" senior) will have to effect the game on both ends for North Chicago the whole game, not just in stretches. Minnesota State football signee Arnaud Shead(5'9" senior) will have to control the offense. Orr is shorthanded as Tyquone Greer (6'6" senior) was shot in the calf last weekend and is out for the rest of the season. Most teams that would be devastating but not this one. This is the most talented team in the City of Chicago with All-City Louis Adams Jr(6'4" senior), Malcolm Jones (6'8" senior), Isaiah Hayes (6'1" senior), Sire Caroll (6'7" senior) who stretches defenses with his three point shooting and is replacement for Greer in lineup. Sharp shooter Armani Ousley(6'1" senior) is back from grotesque ankle injury suffered in January vs Whitney Young. Here is my PREDICTION: ORR PUNCHES IT'S RETURN TICKET TO PEORIA!!!!!! THERE YOU HAVE IT, 3 OF THE 4 TEAMS FROM LAST YEAR WILL RETURN TO PEORIA!!!!!!!!! THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!

Super Tuesday!!!!!!! IHSA Class 4A Super Sectional Breakdown!!!!!!!!!!

Well here we are, Super Tuesday, Supersectional day, winner makes the Final Four in Peoria. Who will it be? Here we go bracket order: CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY: Whitney Young(Chicago) vs Loyola(Wilmette)- This is the mismatch of the night( I said that last year too and almost got burned). Whitney Young has the #1 High School Player In The Country in Duke signee Jahlil Okafor (6'11" senior) who is the anchor in the middle, but the key is always Georgetown signee Paul White (6'9" senior) and his versatile game along with the other Big 3 player St Louis signee Miles Reynolds(6'3" senior). Loyola will have to use some kind of junk defense and hope their three pointers are on target with Jack Morrissey(6'1" senior), Kevin Kucera(6'1" senior), and James Clark(6'2" senior). They have to also hope that Griffin Boehm (6'4" junior) does not get into foul trouble. It may by close for awhile but I have: PREDICTION: WHITNEY YOUNG PUNCHES TICKET DOWNSTATE. NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY: Stevenson(Lincolnshire) vs Auburn(Rockford)- This should be an exciting game to watch as both teams like to get up and down the floor and shoot a lot of threes as neither team has a lot of size. Superstar Jalen Brunson(6'2" junior), along with his partner in crime Conner Cashaw(6'4" junior) will get help from Matt Johnson (6'0" junior), Michigan State football recruit Matt Morrissey (6'4" senior) and Parker Nichols (6'5" junior). They can hit the three point shot from all spots 1-5 on the floor. Rockford Auburn is not shabby either Laytwan Porter (6'1
" junior), Antoine Pittman (6'2' junior), along with Zavious Hoover all can hit threes. Should be a shootout but I have: PREDICTION: STEVENSON PUNCHES TICKET DOWNSTATE FOR 2ND STRAIGHT YEAR. HINSDALE CENTRAL: Benet(Lisle) vs Glenbard North(Carol Stream)-Benet has Xavier signee Sean O'Mara (6'9" senior) in the middle that will make things hard for Glenbard North Collin Bonnett will be big from the three point line as well as Liam Nelligan. As for Glenbard North they have had great performances from Jeremiah Fleming,Chip Flanagan  and Northwestern football signee Justin Jackson (6'2" senior). PREDICTION: BENET PUNCHES TICKET DOWNSTATE. ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY: Marian Catholic(Chicago Heights) vs Edwardsville- The story here all weekend has been Kentucky signee Tyler Ulis's(5'9" senior) turf toe. It will bother him the rest of the tourney, he will have to play through it. He has shooters around him in Army signee Terrone Parham (6'7" senior), John Kohn(6'1" senior), and defensive ace Kijana Crawfors(5'9" senior). Not a lot of size but a gutsy hustling team. Edwardsville has a good point guard Shaun Roundtree (6'2" senior) who will have to limit his turnovers vs the pressure of Marian Catholic. Rematch from last year when Edwardsville just absolutely hammered Marian Catholic. Revenge is a dish best served cold and I think it will be served here. Tyler Ulis will not be denied. PREDICTION: MARIAN CATHOLIC. THERE YOU HAVE IT, SHOULD BE A GREAT DAY AS 4 TEAMS WILL PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO PEORIA!!!!!!! GOD BLESS EVERYONE AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!

IHSA CLASS 3A SECTIONAL FINALS!!!!!!

Well what we have here? Defending 3A Champ Morgan Park is still alive and looks like they have upped the engines. Sectional Final time, here we go: ANTIOCH-North Chicago vs Carmel(Mundelein)- North Chicago seems to be serious about playing some defense(they haven't played much of it all season). Their big three Murray State signee Jayquan McCloud(6'4" senior), Toledo commit Kurt Carr(6'6" senior), Javarious Amos-Mays(6'4" senior) are big time scorers. Jamario Shelton(6'2" junior), and football Arnold Shead(5'9" senior). Great lineup for them they finished 2nd as sophomores. Carmel is a team that is newly into the very good team category. Jack George (6'9" senior) can do some damage inside as North Chicago does not have much size. Carmel's backcourt is key they have to take care of the ball to have a chance in this game. PREDICTION: NORTH CHICAGO. VOCATIONAL-Bogan(Chicago) vs Hyde Park(Chicago): This is going to be a war, Chicago Public League teams battling it out. Luwanne Pipkins (5'9" junior) scored 45 points on Tuesday vs Chicago U High, also Bryce Barnes (5'9" sophomore) is a key in a 4 guard backcourt. Antonio Thomas will be huge on the interior for Bogan. Marcus Smith(6'2" senior) and Cashell Dixon(6'2" senior) is an underrated backcourt and this will be an entertaining game watching the backcourts. I would pick Hyde Park but they are missing their coach for suspension for playing 1 too many regular season games. PREDICTION: BOGAN. WESTINGHOUSE-Orr(Chicago) vs Fenwick(Oak Park): Normally this would be Orr all the way but they are missing a big gun Tyquaan Greer(6'6"senior) was shot last weekend and is out for the season. Orr finished 4th last season in 3A. As it is they still have All City Louis Adams Jr(6'4"senior), Malcolm Jones(6'9" senior), Isaiah Hayes(6'2"senior), and Armani Ousley(6'1" senior) who is back from grotesque ankle injury suffered in regular season game vs Whitney Young. Fenwick has Northwestern signee Scott Lindsey(6'5" senior), Mike Smith(5'11" sophomore) running the show. Dan Dwyer(6'8" senior) is the inside force. Fenwick will try and control tempo, I still think Orr is too strong though. PREDICTION: ORR. HAMPSHIRE- Lutheran(Rockford) vs Sycamore: I don't know anything about either of these teams, I have heard good things about Lutheran so: PREDICTION: ROCKFORD LUTHERAN. HIGHLAND-Cahokia vs Marion: Same as the last one don't know much except Cahokia finished 3rd in 3A last season and they still have St Louis signee Darius Austin(6'5" senior) and Drake signeeCJ Rivers (6'3" senior). PREDICTION:CAHOKIA. MATTOON: Lincoln vs Central(Champaign): Lincoln has been in the Top 5 in 3A all season long, and Central upset undefeated and #1 in 3A Lanpher Springfield on Tuesday. Tough one to call but: PREDICTION:LINCOLN. RICH EAST-Morgan Park(Chicago) vs Catholic(Joliet):Defending 3A Champ Morgan Park is poised for another run with Josh Cunningham(6'7" senior), Lamont Walker(6'5" senior), Charlie Moore(5'9" sophomore), Alonzo Chatman(6'7" sophomore) and Jarrin Randle 5'9" sophomore). A lot of talent on that team. Joliet Catholic is known more as a football school, they have only 3 seniors on their roster. Well.....PREDICTION: MORGAN PARK. BRADLEY UNIVERSITY-Notre Dame(Peoria) vs Morton: This is a total guess. PREDICTION: PEORIA NOTRE DAME. THERE YOU HAVE IT CLASS 3A WHICH SOME OF THE TEAMS I FRANKLY HAVE NOT SEEN BUT OH WELL!!!!!! THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!

IHSA CLASS 4A SECTIONAL FINALS!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow night is Sectional Final night in the two largest classes in Illinois. Simeon's run of 4 straight 4A State Titles was ended last night by Whitney Young so we will have a new champion in 4A. Here we go: EAST AURORA-Benet Academy(Lisle) vs Geneva: Upstart Geneva is heresurprisingly 6'7" junior Nate Navigato is a division 1 prospect his supporting cast will have to show up again to knock off top seeded Benet and 6'9" Xavier signee Sean O'Mara. Guard play will be key if Geneva can pressure Benet's guards into turnovers as their guards are average we could see an upset. PREDICTION:BENET. BARTLETT-Morton(Berwyn-Cicero) vs Glenbard North:Morton is a good program and has a very good coach with Weisner Perez(6'6" junior) is very good from 15 feet in,Greg Carter is an explosive scorer and this team plays great team ball, do not know much about Glenbard North who is another cinderella squad. PREDICTION:MORTON. MARIST- Whitney Young(Chicago) vs St Rita(Chicago): Young is very focused on a State Title after slaying their nemesis the last few years Simeon. With the #1 player in the country Duke signee McDonald's All-American Jahlil Okafor(6'11" senior), Georgetown signee Paul White(6'9" senior) and St Louis signee Miles Reynolds(6'3" senior) the big three will be tough to stop. Very good supporting cast with Rodney Herenton Jr(6'2" sophomore) and Erwin Henry (6'2" senior) playing big roles in Simeon victory. St Rita has underachieved most of the season with Northwestern signee Vic Law(6'7" senior), Catholic North Player of The year Dominique Matthews(6'2" senior), his brother Kentucky commit Charles Matthews(6'6" junior) who has come alive lately, and Myles Carter (6'7" junior) another division 1 prospect this should be a great collision. PREDICTION:WHITNEY YOUNG. EAST MOLINE-Edwardsville vs Normal: Don't know much about these downstate teams except Edwardsville finished 4th last season in Class 4A and point guard Shawn Roundtree(6'2" senior). PREDICTION:EDWARDSVILLE. ELGIN-Auburn(Rockford) vs South(Elgin): Great backcourt for Auburn of juniors Antoine Pittman and Laytwan Porter controls the tempo for them, South Elgin is the surprise of the tournament after beating Top Seed Larkin in first round. Their Coach is suspended for scheduling 1 too many games. This is the game they will miss him. PREDICTION: AUBURN. THORNTON-Marian Catholic(Chicago Heights) vs Homewood Flossmoor: Marian is led by the incomparable point guard, Kentucky signee and McDonald's All-American Tyler Ulis(5'9" senior) but Army signee Terrone Parham(6'7" senior), Kijana Crawford(5'9" senior), and John Oliver (6'3" senior) are keys also to their uptempo game. 6'7" senior Tai Odiasse is key for Homewood Flossmoor as he had huge numbers in the loss Thanksgiving to Marian Catholic, their guards will be key they have to protect the ball against the fast and quick defense of Marian Catholic to have a chance. PRECICTION: MARIAN CATHOLIC. LAKE ZURICH-Stevenson(Lincolnshire) vs Fremd(Palatine): Stevenson to me is the best team in the state, they have lost 1 game this season which was without a key player being suspended guard Matt Johnson(5'11" junior). Johnson has ben that third guy this season to support super point guard Jalen Brunson (6'2" junior) and Conner Cashaw(6'4" junior). Matt Morrissey(6'3" senior) and Parker Nichols(6'5" junior). They can hit three point shots from all 5 spots on the floor and will be tough to beat. Fremd is the only undefeated team left in the State of Illinois. They have Cornell signee Riley Glassman(6'4" senior) and Xavier Williams along with 6'6" senior Ben Carlson. This will be speed and fast breaking(Stevenson) vs methodical and slow down(Fremd). Who will win? PREDICTION: STEVENSON I WILL STICK WITH MY STATE CHAMP PICK!!!!!! MAINE SOUTH-Loyola(Wilmette) vs Maine South(Park Ridge): Maine South has the home court advantage and this is top seed(Loyola) vs second seed(Maine South). Loyola has three perimeter three point shooters in Kevin Kucera(6'0" senior), Jack Morrissey(6'1"senior), and James Clarke(6'1"senior) with Griffin Boehm(6'4"junior) doing the dirty work inside. For Maine South it's Caleb DeMarigny(6'3" junior), George Sergeant(6'7" junior), Andrew Palucki(6'3" senior) the keys. Maine South wants a methodical slow down game, Loyola will run a little bit and also run half court offense to get open three point shots. Should be a low scoring game. PREDICTION: MAINE SOUTH. THERE YOU HAVE IT MY PREDICTIONS AND BREAKDOWN OF THE GAMES!!!!!! I'll be at Thornton to see Tyler Ulis's last game in the Chicagoland Area. THIS IS MY RANT FOR TODAY, GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!!

Illinois Class 4A State Playoff Breakdown!!!!!

Well now that Curie has been kept in IHSA Playoffs(their record is now 0-25, with 24 forfeit wins), we can now breakdown the playoffs. Let's take a look at the Sectionals: MARIST-This is the toughest sectional in the state in any classification:Top Seed is still Curie and a Curie-Whitney Young Round 2 this year, Alexander vs Okafor could be in the offing. But lot's of minefields for both teams, Curie would have to get through either Kentucky commit Charles Matthews led St Rita or Mt Carmel to get there. Remember St Rita took Curie to double overtime early in the season without Charles Matthews in the lineup. Whitney Young has DeLaSalle in Regional Final, then Simeon in Sectional Semifinal so not an easy road for either team. As it is I think the matchup will take place. MAINE SOUTH- This Sectional has Top Seed Loyola who has finished the season in a bit of a swoon, needs to get their mojo back to win sectional, the Top 4 seeds Maine South, Evanston, and New Trier to get to the Sectional with no problems. Question for Evnaston though is will freshman Nojel Eastern play? ELGIN- This sectional is Larkin(Elgin)'s to lose might get a challenge from St Charles North. LAKE ZURICH- This is the 2nd toughest sectional in the State with Jalen Brunson led Top Seed Stevenson,Fremd,Lake Forest, and Zion Benton. Stevenson's only loss is to Zion Benton even though they were without Matt Johnson in that game. Lake Forest took Stevenson to double overtime so this is not a foregone conclusion for Stevenson. Stevenson could face Zion Benton a third time in Sectional Semifinal. EAST MOLINE- Downstate Sectional looks like defending champ Edwardswille and Alton will come out of there. THORNTON- Kentucky signee Tyler Ulis led Marian Catholic is the heavy favorite but Thornwood and host Thornton might have something to say about that. Also Marian Catholic's lack of size might come into play here. EAST AURORA- This is the most wide open sectional in the state, Benet is the Top Seed but have had a bad finish to the regular season, look out for West Aurora and Bolingbrook here. BARTLETT- York is the Top Seed here but Proviso East to me is the favorite, for some reason I think they will come out of this sectional. Oak Park and Morton are also threats to come out of this sectional. MY PREDICTIONS FOR SECTIONAL FINALS: MARIST-Curie vs Whitney Young,MAINE SOUTH-Maine South vs Loyola,ELGIN-Larkin vs Huntley,LAKE ZURICH-Stevenson vs Lake Forest,EAST MOLINE-Edwardsville vs Bradley Borbonnais, THORNTON-Marian Catholic vs Thornton. THERE YOU HAVE IT I WILL DO ANOTHER PICK WHEN SECTIONALS START NEXT WEEK!!!!! GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!