Saturday was Championship Day in Champaign as four teams would be crowned as Illinois' State Champions. The Class 3A title game featured Simeon and Metamora.
The Simeon Wolverines had 3A record breaking performances by Jalen Griffith and Miles Rubin as they pulled away in the fourth quarter beating St. Ignatius 60-42. Metamora rallied in the second half to a 50-43 win over a big East St. Louis squad.
Much like the semifinal game against East St. Louis, the Wolverines had the upper hand in the first half, especially in the second quarter. The Rubin twins, Wes and Miles, led the way as Simeon led 23-14 at halftime.
The Redbirds had been here before. They beat Simeon in the state semifinal last season, and were down in the first half Friday against East St. Louis. The Redbirds made adjustments, and got to within 1 midway through the third.
Junior point guard Tyler Mason had a huge second half for the Redbirds as did senior Tyson Swanson. Together, with the help of 6-6 senior Ethan Kizer and 6-3 senior Drew Tucker, they outscored the Wolverines 20-11 in the second half.
In overtime, Swanson and Mason took charge. Swanson hit a layup that would put Metamora up 39-37. The Redbirds would never relinquish the lead again as they avenge last season's heartbreak beating Simeon 46-42. The Redbirds outrebounded the Wolverines 35-21 for the game.
Swanson led all scorers with 20 points and 3 rebounds. Mason finished with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Kizer, a South Alabama commit, had 6 points, 5 rebounds, and was 2/6 from three. Tucker had 2 points and 8 rebounds, and 6-4 sophomore Matthew Zobrist had 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
5-10 point guard Jalen Griffith, a Jacksonville commit, led the Wolverines with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists. Loyola commit Miles Rubin had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Northern Iowa commit Wes Rubin had 7 points 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.
The Wolverines finish the season 31-4, and the Redbirds finish the season 34-2 as they end the season on a 32 game winning streak.
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