State Semifinals Recaps
Friday was the second to last day of hoops in the state this high school season. PrepHoopsIllinois covered the semifinals in 3A and 4A. We recap the four contests here!
3A
Morgan Park defeats Marian Catholic 68-51
It was a complete team effort from the Mustangs in the semis. Morgan Park jumped out early and everytime Marian made a run at them they came back with a spurt of their own. Unsigned 2018 power forward Cam Burrell was a monster with 22 points and 10 rebounds. The athletic 6-6 four man plays with energy getting on the offensive glass and was 10-11 from the field. Illini commit Ayo Dosunmu struggled early but got it going as the game went along. Pushed the ball in the open floor with his speed finishing with 13 points. A pair of other seniors Kenyon Duling (14 points) and Tamell Pearson (8 points) each brought toughness and passing inside. Their sophomore duo of Adam Miller and Marcus Watson both used their speed getting it up the floor. Miller slashed to the rim and Watson ran the show at the point. The most impressive player for Marian Catholic was 6’6″ 2019 power forward Chris White. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds. Very active on the glass. Tough post defense. Rebounded well in his area. Showed some skill as well. Top 10 sophomore point guard Ahron Ulis was good for Marian. Slick passer with a great feel for the game getting in the lane and made plays. Finished with 15 points. Their 2019 stand out shooting guard Malik Tidwell really struggled shooting from the field going 5-24 for 13 points.
Springfield Southeast defeats North Chicago 60-38
Southeast put on an absolute show in the semis! They were by far and away the best team on the floor. Class of 2019 point guard Terrion Murdix was outstanding! The 6’0″ lead guard was silky smooth with his ball handling getting anywhere he wanted on the floor. The junior has an excellent feel for the game getting his teammates involved. Made quick dishes inside. Got to the rim pretty much whenever he wanted and made regular trips to the charity stripe. Leadership abilities were off the charts. Rebounded well for his position and was active defensively. Final stat line was 19 points, 14 rebounds, 6 steals, & 3 dimes. Top 10 2019 Anthony Fairlee is an elite athlete that put that on display with a couple poster dunks and swatting shots. The 6’3″ guard didn’t shoot it great from perimeter, but banked in one from mid-range. He had 14 points. Junior 6’7″ power forward Michael Tyler had 9 points showing he could run the floor and finish a little. For North Chicago their best player was 6’6″ 2019 post Raeshaun Samoa who displayed a baseline mid-range jumper and rebounded in his area.
4A
Belleville West defeated Larkin 64-53
Belleville West opened hot from three with EJ Liddell and Lawrence Brazil hitting a pair each early. Larkin tightened things up for the rest of the first half to cut it to single digits heading into the half. Belleville West’s defense dominated the opening minutes of the third quarter with the shot blocking of elite 2019 post EJ Liddell and scoring of 2019 power forward Keith Randolph on the other end. They blew the game open and never looked back. EJ Liddell showed fans across the state what we see all the time. He is an impact player on both ends of the floor. Offensively he used a variety of hooks, up and unders, and quick moves. Handles the ball and is so athletic. Defensively he swatted shots at a high rate and altered many others. Finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 blocks. Keith Randolph next to him was a monster. The 2019 football recruit mauled on the glass and scored going for 18 points and 12 boards. Wright St commit Malachi Smith had 8 points. Larkin’s two stars were in foul trouble all night. Top uncommitted post and JUCO gem recruit Jalen Shaw had 11 points and 8 boards. Showed mobility and potential. Anthony Lynch drilled mid-range jumpers on the way to 13 points. Quality D2 prospect. Pierre Black caught fire late hitting threes finishing with 15 points.
Whitney Young defeats Evanston 62-56
For much of this game Evanston had the lead and controlled the pace. They were up by seven at the half, but Whitney Young’s experience pulled away late to get them the win. Valpo commit Javon Freeman was the story. The top 10 senior sliced and diced his way in the lane all night finishing with 25 points. He carried his team to the title game. 2019 wing Myles Baker had some slick and acrobatic takes to the rim. He went for 10 points. Senior point guard Xavier Castaneda struggled in the first half, but found his groove in the second. The true spark for the Dolphins was the #5 2020 prospect Tyler Beard coming off the bench bringing his toughness and athleticism. Got on the glass and had a pair of and-1s for 8 points. For Evanston it was the Blake Peters show! The 6’0″ freshman shot lights out from three and displayed solid athleticism when defenders closed hard. He had 23 points. Other story was senior post Matt Hall going for 10 points and 11 rebound. 6’7″ post plays his role clearing glass and has touch. Evanston star 2019 guard Lance Jones struggled shooting, but still recorded 10 points.
State Games on Saturday
3A
Morgan Park vs Springfield Southeast
4A
Belleville West vs Whitney Young