10 Questions: 4A Illinois State Tournament
The Illinois 4A State Tournament is about ready to kick things off! At PrepHoopsIllinois we look at 10 Questions breaking down the field from all angles!
Is it Simeon and Everyone Else?
I think going into the 4A Tournament Simeon is definitely the prohibited favorite to win the whole thing. They are not however as big of a favorite as Orr for example in 2A and that is because there are legit teams that could make a run at them in a one and done scenario. Simeon has not lost a game to an in-state team all season and has clearly established themselves as the best team in the state of Illinois. Talen Horton-Tucker is playing absolutely dominant basketball and he has a deep veteran supporting cast. There are several teams in this field worth monitoring that if things fell right could give Simeon a game. The team we think has the best shot is Belleville West. They have an elite player in EJ Liddell along with a solid all-around team. This is the heavily predicted state championship game. Curie and Whitney Young could give them a run for their money in the super sectional. Both teams would be looking to avenge previous losses to the Wolverines. Niles North is another team to watch in a potential final four game. In our eyes though THT and Coach Robert Smith will cut down the nets in one of the most dominant seasons in recent memory.
Best Potential Regional Final?
Normal West vs Bloomington. This game would feature two of the best 2019 prospects in the state in Francis Okoro and Chris Payton. There is more than just that however as both are surrounded by solid guard play that have proven to step up in big moments. This Friday night game would attract a lot of high-major coaches!
Best Potential Sectional Semi Final?
We are going to go with both semifinals at the Riverside Brookfield Sectional. Fenwick vs Curie and OPRF vs Whitney Young. Fenwick and Curie will feature the best sophomore in the field in Fenwick’s DJ Steward against a loaded veteran team in Curie. Whitney Young is the defending state champs and this is where they will start to get tested. OPRF has solid guard play that can put pressure on the Dolphins.
Best Potential Sectional Final?
Belleville West vs Danville. These might be the two best teams outside of Chicago in the state of Illinois this season. Belleville West has been a beast against in-state teams with their trio of EJ Liddell, Keith Randolph, and Malachi Smith. They have trucked over everyone in the metro east. Danville has been very good all season led by senior point guard Kendle Moore. The Drake commit has a chance to be a first team all-state selection. He has a deep cast of role players led by junior Sean Houpt that all know how to play within the system.
Best Potential Super Sectional?
Simeon vs Curie/Whitney Young. The Wolverines will get a tremendous test before heading to Peoria with either of their CPS rivals. Curie has lost to Simeon twice this season and you know they don’t want to go 0-3 and have them finish their season. Curie has the talent to pull this off with perimeter scoring and defense inside. Whitney Young knocked off Simeon last year in the state championship, but lost to them this season in the CPS semis. Led by Javon Freeman they also have the fire power to make this a game.
Best Sectional Group?
Riverside Brookfield Sectional. This sectional has a ton of high-level teams and many of the best prospects in the state. The top four seeds of Curie, Whitney Young, OPRF, and Fenwick are all probably among the top 10-12 teams overall in this field. They have each had their moments this year. Lincoln Park is a sleeper team that with a dynamic duo that could make some noise in March. St. Joseph’s hasn’t had the season many thought, but they are loaded with seniors and will play Whitney Young on their home floor in the regional final.
Best Team That Got Horrible Draw?
Bloomington is a team that I have seen three times in person this season and came away impressed each time. They have an incredibly difficult route to go through to make it to Peoria. Let’s just start off by having to play Rock Island in the first game on their home floor. Then Normal West in a potential regional final with the top 2019 player in the state. In the sectional they would have to take down Danville and Belleville West. Then possibly a Bolingbrook could be waiting in the super sectional. If they do all that congrats on making it to Peoria! That would be an incredible accomplishment.
Who Could Be the MVP of 4A Tournament?
Talen Horton-Tucker from Simeon has to be the clear favorite here, but there are several other players to watch in the race for MVP. Messiah Jones (Simeon), EJ Liddell (Belleville West), Kendle Moore (Danville), Chris Payton (Bloomington), Francis Okoro (Normal West), Tyler Cochran (Bolingbrook), Kyle King (St. Charles North), Jalen Shaw (Larkin), Zion Griffin (Hinsdale South), Dravon Clayborn (Niles North), Maurice Commander (Curie), Javon Freeman (Whitney Young), and Ryan Davis (Conant).
Best Young Prospects in 4A Tournament That Could Make an Impact?
DJ Steward (Fenwick), Tyler Beard (Whitney Young), Elliot Sieger (Whitney Young), Nate Seputis (Lincoln Way East), Dante Maddox (Bloom), Colin Crothers (Benet), Max Christie (Rolling Meadows), Chris Hodges (Schaumburg), Blake Peters (Evanston).
Top 50 Ranked Unsigned Seniors to Watch in 4A?
Drew Peterson (Libertyville), Jalen Shaw (Larkin), Zion Young (Simeon), DeAndre Heckard (Romeoville), Dusan Mahorcic (Niles Notre Dame), Dravon Clayborn (Niles North), Terrence Shannon (Lincoln Park), RJ McGee (Kenwood), Justin Hardy (St. Charles East), Isaiah Fuller (OPRF), Branden Ellis (Warren), Jalen Hodge (O’Fallon), Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook), Damaria Franklin (Niles North), Naseer Turner (Kenwood), Quinlan Bennett (Proviso East), Eddie Creal (Romeoville), Anthony Lynch (Larkin), Kenny Pittman (Simeon).