1A & 2A State Finals Preview
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The time has arrived! After two long years without a final four we are back with it now being in Champaign! It begins on Thursday with the semis for 1A and 2A. We look at the teams and prospects to…
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Continue ReadingThe time has arrived! After two long years without a final four we are back with it now being in Champaign! It begins on Thursday with the semis for 1A and 2A. We look at the teams and prospects to watch.
1A
10:00 AM Yorkville Christian vs Steeleville
Yorkville Christian comes into the final four as the prohibited favorite to take it all. Despite racking up some losses they played a treacherous schedule against big time 3A and 4A schools. It has prepared them for state. They are led by the #1 senior in Illinois Duke commit Jaden Schutt Jaden Schutt 6'5" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2022 State #42 Nation IL . Elite shot maker has averaged 25.3 points per game on the season. Moves well without the ball and can do it all. His two running mates to watch on the perimeter are sharp shooter KJ Vasser KJ Vasser 6'3" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2022 State IL and junior David Douglas David Douglas 6'5" | SG Yorkville Christian | 2023 State IL who have had outstanding seasons.
Steeleville has a 26-9 record at this stage. They boast a well-balanced attack with four players averaging between 7 and 11 points per game with Jacoby Gross leading the way at 11.3. Also keep tabs on Reid Harriss, Zach Mevert, and Carter Wasson.
11:45 AM Scales Mound vs Liberty
What a year for Scales Mound! They have been near the top of the 1A poll all season with a 35-2 record. Senior 6’4” star Benjamin Vandigo leads the way for this team at 17.2 points per contest coming into state. Ben Werner and Collin Fosler are two other double-digit scorers on this squad.
Liberty is a 29-5 team that takes pride in the defensive end of the floor. They only have one scorer on the team in double figures which is Breiton Klingele who checks in at 12.7 a contest
Ranked Prospects
2022
#1
Jaden Schutt
Jaden
Schutt
6'5" | SG
Yorkville Christian | 2022
State
#42
Nation
IL
(Yorkville Christian – Duke)
#62
KJ Vasser
KJ
Vasser
6'3" | SG
Yorkville Christian | 2022
State
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
#183
Tyler Burrows
Tyler
Burrows
6'3" | SG
Yorkville Christian | 2022
State
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
2023
#32
David Douglas
David
Douglas
6'5" | SG
Yorkville Christian | 2023
State
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
#59
Brayden Long
Brayden
Long
6'4" | SF
Yorkville Christian | 2023
State
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
2024
#23
Jehvion Starwood
Jehvion
Starwood
6'3" | SG
Oswego East | 2024
State
#269
Nation
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
#78
Dayvion Johnson
Dayvion
Johnson
6'1" | SG
Yorkville | 2024
IL
(Yorkville Christian)
2A
2:30 PM Rockridge vs Monticello
Rockridge comes into Champaign at 26-6. They have a go to scorer in 6’4” senior Nate Henry who fills it up for 17.7 points per contest. Also keep tabs on junior sharp shooter Jase Whiteman who lit up the super sectional and averages 12.6 points.
Senior 5’9” point guard Ben Cresap is the top scorer for Monticello netting 15.4 points per game for the 32-3 Monticello squad. We liked what we saw from sniper Dylan Ginalick in the supers along with the interior play of undersized post Joey Sprinkle.
4:00 PM DePaul Prep vs Nashville
DePaul Prep is the 2A favorite although we had Orr and Leo pegged as that before and they both lost. UW-Milwaukee commit Dylan Arnett Dylan Arnett 6'9" | PF DePaul Prep | 2022 State IL is the star for DePaul Prep. Signed with UWM, but college coaches will be monitoring his play after a coaching change there last week. Arnett averages 13.5 points per game. Rock solid perimeter play from combo guard senior Trevon Thomas Trevon Thomas 6'1" | PG DePaul Prep | 2022 State IL and top 10 sophomore Payton Kamin Payton Kamin 6'7" | SF Worcester Academy | 2025 State NLG is a big time perimeter scorer. Love the upside of sophomore power forward Jaylan McElroy Jaylan McElroy 6'7" | PF DePaul Prep | 2024 State #262 Nation IL as a two way player.
Nashville has consistently been one of the best programs in southern Illinois small school ball year after year. This defensive minded squad is 28-4. Best player and prospect is 6’7” skilled and athletic power forward Saxton Hoepker Saxton Hoepker 6'6" | PF Nashville | 2022 State IL . High-motor kid that boards and scores 15.3 points per game. Keep an eye on guard Isaac Turner Isaac Turner 6'2" | SG Nashville | 2022 IL who is their top perimeter scoring threat at 15.6 points.
Ranked Prospects
2022
#20
Dylan Arnett
Dylan
Arnett
6'9" | PF
DePaul Prep | 2022
State
IL
(DePaul Prep – UW-Milwaukee)
#113
Trevon Thomas
Trevon
Thomas
6'1" | PG
DePaul Prep | 2022
State
IL
(DePaul Prep)
#169
Saxton Hoepker
Saxton
Hoepker
6'6" | PF
Nashville | 2022
State
IL
(Nashville)
#201
Alex Gutierrez
Alex
Gutierrez
6'2" | PG
DePaul Prep | 2022
State
IL
(DePaul Prep)
#238
Julian Green
Julian
Green
6'1" | PG
DePaul College Prep | 2022
State
IL
(DePaul Prep)
2023
#103 Maurice Thomas Maurice Thomas 6'1" | PG Depaul Prep | 2023 State IL (DePaul Prep)
2024
#10
Payton Kamin
Payton
Kamin
6'7" | SF
Worcester Academy | 2025
State
NLG
(DePaul Prep)
#32
Jaylan McElroy
Jaylan
McElroy
6'7" | PF
DePaul Prep | 2024
State
#262
Nation
IL
(DePaul Prep)