CPS Quarterfinals Preview
The CPS quarterfinals are up on Tuesday! This used to be one of the single best day of hoops during the public league season with all four games played in a row at one facility. This year they are at the home court of the higher seed. For a lot of these seniors this will be the last game on their home floors. Here is our preview of the four games!
Bogan at Orr
This is two strong and athletic squads that can get up and down the floor. Orr has been one of the top teams in the state of Illinois all season. They have incredible toughness with Raekwon Drake and Dannie Smith who just do whatever it takes to win. Chase Adams has been a consistent presence at the point. Tyronn Mosley is the x-factor with his defense! Bogan has been playing well especially their 2019 power forward Rashaun Agee who is dominating inside scoring and rebounding. That combined with their dynamic guard play pushed by Jeremiah Washington make this game a track meet.
Prediction: Orr
Kenwood at Curie
Curie has been steady throughout the course of the season. They haven’t been able to get over the Simeon hurdle, but almost every other obstacle put in front of them they have cleared. Curie has a veteran squad with Maurice Commander, Treavon Martin, Tyree Martin, and Marquise Walker. What separates this team is their bench pop with Dajuan Gordon and Justin Harmon. These two athletic wing scorers give them energy scoring off the bench. Kenwood has a pair of seniors that lead the way in wings RJ McGee and Naseer Turner. If these two get rolling they can put up points. The key for them will be the play of Seryee Lewis inside. The sophomore has talent, but is inconsistent. Too much talent for Curie though to lose this game.
Prediction: Curie
Uplift at Simeon
Simeon has been the best team in the state all year long. They are clicking on all cylinders right now. Iowa State commit Talen Horton-Tucker has been dominant! Mizzou verbal Xavier Pinson is coming off the bench and making big plays. Messiah Jones dominates on both ends inside. Kejuan Clements, Kenny Pittman, and Zion Young all bring key qualities to the table. Deep and senior laden group. Uplift counters with Kansas commit Markese Jacobs. He is an athletic point guard that can get buckets in a hurry. Productive Toraze Dobbs will be a key inside. Those two will have to combine for 50+ points to have a shot.
Prediction: Simeon
Morgan Park at Whitney Young
This is the best quarterfinal of the group! Two of the premier blue blood programs in the state. Whitney Young will play its last game at home with seniors Javon Freeman and Xavier Castaneda. The top 10 2018 prospects have been steadying forces throughout their careers and Freeman has put himself in Mr. Basketball consideration with a strong season. Myles Baker is a junior that can really score. Keenan Jones is a utility player that rebounds, plays D, and hits spot up threes. The key for them might be what kind of production they get out of two of the best 2020 point guard prospects in the state Elliot Sieger and recently back Tyler Beard. Morgan Park has the momentum back. They struggled throughout the season and after Ayo Dosunmu got hurt there were a lot of questions heading into city and state. No more. Dosunmu dropped 42 in his return and is primed to make a statement he is the best player in the state and make a closing argument for all the awards as well as lead his team to a city title. Cam Burrell has played at a high level all season. The top sophomore in Illinois Adam Miller will play Robin to Ayo’s Batman in this one. In our initial predictions before the playoffs started we picked the Dolphins. It is clear Ayo is back and that changes things.
Prediction: Morgan Park