Around the State: March 28
Wednesday night was a jam packed night of hoops across the state. We had 3A and 4A regional semis as well as sectional semis in 1A and 2A. See what happened in the state tournament across the state!
1A
Sterling Newman defeated River Ridge by a final of 59-50. Super soph post Devon House with a big performance of 22 points. He is going to make some noise on the circuit with Quad City Elite 16U.
The state title favorite in 1A Aurora Christian won over Wethersfield 63-45. Will Wolfe had 13 points and his brother Lipscomb commit Jake Wolfe finished with 10 points. Sleeper small college post Jacob Schwerbrock finished his career with a 26 point game.
2A
Orr is the heavy favorite to win a state championship in 2A, but they got all they could handle on Wednesday night against Uplift. These might be two of the best teams in the state in that class and they had to meet in the round of 32. Uplift got up early and led at the half 39-27 behind Kansas commit Markese Jacobs. Orr came back in the second half to force OT and win 75-66. Sharp Shooter Brian Hernandez hit seven triples for 23 points. Dannie Smith had 14 points. Raekwon Drake finished with 13 points. Markese Jacobs had a big night with 23 points. Detalian Brown is a junior to watch this summer. He had 18 points. Orr might have survived their biggest test to a title.
3A
Salem continued their solid late season play with a win over Murphysboro 43-33. Damond Crosby went for 13 points and 10 boards. Dawson Linder had 12 points.
Highland wins their regional semi over Cahokia 51-46. They will play East St. Louis on Friday.
Crane knocked off Solorio 74-53. Hylan Harris led the way with 31 points.
Corliss won over Fieldcrest 60-49. Iowa State commit George Conditt finished with 9 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 6 assists.
Our pick to make it to state Pinckneyville got past a tough test in Nashville with ease winning 55-33.
Decatur MacArthur defeated Taylorville 70-58. Bradley commit Armon Brummett scored 30 points.
4A
Bloom blew out Thornwood to keep things rolling for the sophomore quartet with an 84-64 victory. Dante Maddox continues his strong play with 26 points and 11 boards. Donovan Newby had 16 points and 10 dimes. Keshawn Williams finished with 21. Martice Mitchell had 9.
St. Joseph’s had a monster comeback to knock off St. Ignatius 63-54. Joffari Brown scored 28 points.
Alton moves on with a 62-45 win over Chatham Glenwood. Malik Smith had 24 points and unsigned senior lead guard Kevin Caldwell went for 20 points. They will play regional host Quincy on Friday.
Lemont won 64-62 over Plainfield East led by one of the better unsigned senior centers Paul O’Leary who had 26 points.
Bartlett knocked off Batavia in a bit of an upset. Austin Gates and Tomas Vikonas each had 11 points. Jayden Johnson is a top 10 sophomore who had 11 points for Batavia.
Upset here as Dundee Crown got the win over St. Charles East 57-54. One of the best unsigned big men in the state Gabe Bergeron had 24 points. D2’s need to pick up the interest ASAP!
Lincoln Park survived Lane Tech 58-56 without Terrence Shannon.
Willowbrook defeated Metea Valley 71-46 behind 22 points and 10 boards from their star senior Ethan Schuemer.
Warren blows out Highland Park 78-50. Unsigned senior Branden Ellis had 25 points and 5 dimes. Top 40 in-state recruit.
Romeoville beat Lincoln Way Central 50-40. DeAndre Heckard had 17 points. One of best uncommitted guards in the state. His running mate Eddie Creal went for 16 points. Michael Salter had 11 points.
Edwardsville beat O’Fallon 50-47. Jack Marinko had another huge game with 31 points. This is a small college gem that can really score. Jalen Hodge had 10 points.
Oswego East beat Oswego 60-45 behind Ray J Dennis with 19 points and Sam Schultz who had 13 points.
Jamir Price put his team on his back and carried Rock Island to an upset win over Bloomington 79-76. Price had 32 points in the win. Chris Payton with over 20 points.
St. Viator took it to Rolling Meadows from the jump! They won 72-32 behind Jeremiah Hernandez’s 16 points along with his running mate Treyvon Calvin with 15 points. Elite freshman Max Christie was held to 10 points.
St. Charles North advances to face Larkin after they defeated South Elgin 47-36. Zach Ludwig had 12 points.
We close things out with an upset as Waukegan lost on their home floor 47-46 falling to Palatine.