20 Most Intriguing Regional Championship Games
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Friday night will feature every single regional final game across the state in all four classes! We examine the top games to be played in 20 Most Intriguing Regional Championship Games! 2A Orr vs North Lawndale (Orr Regional) We…
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Continue ReadingFriday night will feature every single regional final game across the state in all four classes! We examine the top games to be played in 20 Most Intriguing Regional Championship Games!
2A
Orr vs North Lawndale (Orr Regional)
We have Orr as our pick to win it all in 2A. They will get a real test against a North Lawndale team that has scoring pop in the backcourt. It is on Orr’s home floor so they should be fine, but one to monitor.
Nashville vs Pinckneyville (DuQuoin Regional)
Two of the top programs in southern Illinois especially at the small school level will meet on Friday night. The winner could make some moves the rest of the tournament.
3A
Peoria Notre Dame vs Peoria Manual (Limestone Regional)
It is hard to beat a team three times. Notre Dame is looking to do that here. Manual has a go to scorer in Justin Page Justin Page 6'3" | SG Peoria Manuel | 2023 State IL that in a one game scenario could be scary. Cooper Koch Cooper Koch 6'8" | PF Metamora | 2024 State #81 Nation IL and company should take this one though.
Mt. Vernon vs Centralia (Centralia Regional)
Three times? Try beating your rival four times in one season! That is what Centralia will attempt to do Friday against Mt. Vernon. Each game has been closer than the previous with the last one being a 3 point Orphans win. Mt. Vernon has the best player on the floor in Missouri State commit NJ Benson NJ Benson 6'8" | C Mt. Vernon | 2022 State #238 Nation IL .
Hillcrest vs Tinley Park (Hillcrest Regional)
Hillcrest is a team with aspirations of making it to Champaign. This is a tricky regional final as Tinley Park has quite a bit of talent and could give Hillcrest a game here. Hillcrest is on its home floor however.
Lemont vs Marian Catholic (Morris Regional)
Love this matchup between offensively skilled sophomore Nojus Indrusaitis Nojus Indrusaitis 6'5" | SG Brewster Academy | 2024 State #79 Nation NLG and elite perimeter defender senior Jeremiah Jones Jeremiah Jones 6'4" | SG Marian Catholic | 2022 State IL . More than just those two as each squad has a talented starting five.
Niles Notre Dame vs Carmel (Niles Notre Dame Regional)
Niles Notre Dame looked really good when we saw them on Wednesday led by Sonny Williams Sonny Williams 6'1" | PG International Sports Academy | 2023 OH . Carmel has two standout seniors in Bryce Moore Bryce Moore 6'5" | PG Carmel | 2022 State IL (Niagara commit) and Asher Jackson Asher Jackson 6'5" | SG Carmel Catholic | 2022 State IL . Could see this going either way.
Sacred Heart Griffin vs Springfield Lanphier (Sacred Heart Griffin Regional)
SHG is a team that definitely could make it to Champaign, but they will get a test here as perennial power Lanphier has one of the better backcourts in central Illinois in Tye Banks Tye Banks 6'3" | SG Springfield Laphier | 2022 State IL and Tevonta Jackson Tevonta Jackson 6'1" | PG Roosevelt | 2023 State IA . SGH and their junior quartet have the home court advantage!
Olney vs Mascoutah/Marion Winner (Olney Regional)
The only undefeated team in Illinois is Olney. They will step up their competition level on Friday against the winner of Mascoutah and Marion who will be played on Thursday night.
4A
O’Fallon vs Quincy (Alton Regional)
Love this game here. Quincy has a D1 senior in New Orleans commit Jeremiah Talon along with a host of stud freshman. O’Fallon has upperclassmen and the advantage of playing closer to home.
Brother Rice vs Bloom (Brother Rice Regional)
Two talented squads here. Top point guard Ahmad Henderson Ahmad Henderson 5'10" | PG Brother Rice | 2023 State #291 Nation IL loves the bright lights and this will be a chance for him to shine. Bloom has guards galore and a shot blocker in Emondrek Ford Emondrek Ford 6'8" | PF Bloom | 2022 State IL .
St. Rita vs Morgan Park (St. Rita Regional)
St. Rita has been up and down throughout the season, but there is no denying the talent. Fun matchup between top two sophomores James Brown James Brown 6'9" | C Link Academy (from Chicago) | 2024 #66 Nation MO / Morez Johnson Morez Johnson 6'9" | PF Thornton | 2024 State #33 Nation IL vs senior stat sheet stuffer Liddell Miller!
Collinsville vs Belleville East (Granite City Regional)
We have been waiting all year to see Jordan Pickett Jordan Pickett 6'1" | SG Belleville East | 2023 State IL have a monster game and pull off an upset. Will this be the night?
Oswego East vs West Aurora (Joliet Central Regional)
Oswego East has its eyes set on a deep run after their best season is school history. West Aurora is a talented team to watch. Love the NBA Jam 2 on 2 matchup of Patrick Robinson Patrick Robinson 6'4" | SG Oswego East | 2022 State IL and Mekhi Lowery Mekhi Lowery 6'5" | SF Oswego East | 2023 State IL vs Ty Rogers Ty Rogers 6'7" | PF West Aurora | 2022 State IL and Josh Pickett Josh Pickett 6'5" | SG St. Laurence | 2024 State #277 Nation IL .
Lyons vs Proviso East (Proviso East Regional)
Proviso East survived a massive scare in their first game winning by one in OT. Now they get one of the best PGs in the state Tavari Johnson Tavari Johnson 6'0" | PG Lyons Township | 2022 State #171 Nation IL along with a ton of shooters. Look for Jaloni Johnson Jaloni Johnson 6'4" | SG Proviso East | 2023 State IL to step up if Proviso wins.
Moline vs Minooka (Minooka Regional)
Great guard battle here with stud 2023 Brock Harding Brock Harding 6'0" | PG Moline | 2023 State #222 Nation IL and late blooming senior Ricky Moore. Moline should be the heavy favorite, but they must go on the road in a one and done.
Normal Community vs Bradley Bourbonnais (Normal Community Regional)
Battle of the big men here as D1 commits Zach Cleveland Zach Cleveland 6'8" | PF Normal West | 2022 State IL and Owen Freeman Owen Freeman 6'10" | C Moline | 2023 State #179 Nation IL clash. Bradley Bourbonnais has made huge strides now they get a state title contender!
Riverside Brookfield vs OPRF (Riverside Brookfield Regional)
Riverside Brookfield has been fantastic this season with their veteran and well coached squad. OPRF boasts a pair of mid-major wings in Sam Lewis Sam Lewis 6'5" | SF Oak Park River Forest | 2023 State IL and Justin Mullins Justin Mullins 6'4" | SF Oak Park-River Forest | 2022 State IL . They have the talent to pull off the upset.
Bartlett vs Wheaton Warrenville South (Wheaton Warrenville South Regional)
Clash of styles here as Wheaton Warrenville South will try to keep this a low scoring game and not allow Bartlett 7’3” center Conrad Luczynski Conrad Luczynski 7'2" | C Bartlett | 2022 State IL from dominating inside.
Glenbrook North vs Evanston (Evanston Regional)
Evanston hosts what should be a fun and evenly matched regional championship in a true 50/50 contest.