This was my first ever trip to Illinois Wesleyan's Shirk Center, and my first time at the State Farm Classic. The event, and the facility did not disappoint.
Here is a recap of Thursday's action:
Semifinal Bracket:
Sacred Heart-Griffin 58 Wheaton Warrenville South 41
The defending 3A state champions getnan impressive win over a scrappy and gritty Tiger team. Both teams played a tight fast-paced game. Cyclones senior, and Quincy commit, Jake Hamilton led with 21 points and 6 rebounds. 6-5 senior Zack Hawkinson had 19 points and 6 rebounds. Can anyone in 3A stop the Cyclones? They'll be in the MacArthur Sectional and will likely play MacArthur in the semifinal.
Braylen Meredith had 15 points, and Colin Moore had 12 points for the Tigers. The Tigers are the favorites to win the DuKane conference, but face stiff competition with Lake Park and Geneva.
Romeoville 59 Mesa (AZ) 39
The Spartans' athleticism was too much for the Jackrabbits. Meyoh Swansey scored 19 for the Spartans showing a nice pull-up jump shot. Troy Cicero had 13 points and 5 steals, and Deonte Cunningham had 10 points. Could be an interesting matchup with Bolingbrook Wednesday.
The Jackrabbits, who upset Brother Rice in the quarterfinals, were led by Kota Benson (14 points) and Parker Escalante (10 points).
St. Joseph-Ogden 72 Rockford Lutheran 69
A very exciting finish to this one. 6-6 Ty Pence and 5-9 Logan Smith each had 25 points for the Spartans. Pence, an Illinois State recruit, came up with a clutch block on a Walt Hill potential game-tying shot. Coy Taylor added 10 points for the Spartans.
In a losing effort, Walt Hill may have put up the best individual performance I seen so far. Hill had 42 points, including 7/14 from 3. 6-5 junior Vontez Dent had 16 points for the Crusaders.
University (Normal) 63 Bloomington Central Catholic 58
Another exciting finish. The Pioneers, who are in the Central State Eight Conference with Sacred Heart-Griffin, are a sneaky good team. 6-5 senior Mason Funk led the Pioneers with 19 points. Ty Blake and Ty Minor, had 18 and 13 respectively. Saints 6-5 junior guard Cole Certa led all scorers with 23. 6-6 junior Colin Hayes had 13 points, and 6-3 sophomore Trey Eller had 12 points for the Saints. The Illini Prairie Conference is looking pretty good this year.
5th Place Bracket:
Peoria 66 Bradley-Bourbonnais 52
A good all-around ballgame put together by the Lions. DaQuan Little led all scorers with 19 points for the Lions. Mikequese Taylor added 13, and DeKwon Brown added 10. 6-4 senior, and Yorkville Christian transfer, Brayden Long led the Boilermakers with 17 points, and 6-9 sophomore Nick Allen had 12 points.
Brother Rice 79 Rock Island 55
This one was all Brother Rice. Khalil Ross had 18 points, and Ahmad Henderson had 14 points for the Crusaders. Nick Niego also had 11 points, including 3 second quarter threes off the bench. KJ Lamonte and Marcus McQueen had 15 and 14 respectively for the Rocks.
Notre Dame (Quincy) 49 El Paso-Gridley 46
This one came down to the final seconds. Jake Hoyt led the Raiders with 15 points, and had the assist on Alex Connoyer's game winning bucket. Chancesaye Maxon led the Titans with 18 points.
Bishop McNamara 64 Fieldcrest 42
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