Six matchups drawing attention
Showdown between Thornton, Bloom highlights finals
There will be 64 regional championship games played throughout the state Friday night in Class 3A and Class 4A. They all have a lot on the line, a win-orgo-home mantra that resonates with any sports fan at any level.
Here is a preview of six of the best and most intriguing regional championships in the area.
THORNTON REGIONAL Thornton vs. Bloom
A terrific south suburban showdown and arguably the top regional title game of the night. Thornton’s Sam Taylor has been one of the breakout stars in the senior class. The red-hot Jamal Parks, who has averaged 24 points a game in the second half of the season, leads a resurgent Bloom team that’s 10-1 since a 7-9 start. But Bloom faces the unenviable task of trying to win at Thornton for the second time in three weeks.
ST. IGNATIUS REGIONAL Riverside-Brookfield vs. Proviso East
Proviso East, a dangerous No. 6 seed led by athletic senior Antonio Williams, stands in the way of Riverside-Brookfield playing on its home floor in the sectional. R-B’s veteran group, led by the backcourt of Daniko Jackson and Jalen Clanton, is potent offensively. The Bulldogs, who put up 103 points in a regional semifinal win, are averaging a whopping 86 points per game in their last seven.
MINOOKA REGIONAL Minooka vs. Bolingbrook
Typically, you wouldn’t find a No. 1-vs.-No. 8 regional final attractive enough to be included in a “best of” list. But the upset element is real. Minooka was fortunate to get by Romeoville in the semifinal, and Bolingbrook has won nine of its last 10 games. While top-seeded Minooka will have its hands full, senior doit-all Joe Butler has played big all year, and the Indians will be on their home floor.
WARREN REGIONAL Evanston vs. Niles North
Even as a No. 1-vs.-No. 8 regional final, this one has upset potential. Although both teams scuffled down the stretch of the regular season — Evanston went 0-3 in its final three games, and Niles North finished 1-3 — each rolled in regional opening wins. Evanston has the name and star power with Nojel Eastern, but Niles North is a program that has put together 20-plus wins in five of the last six seasons. Niles North also has an underrated tandem in senior Crishawn Cook and emerging sophomore Damaria Franklin.
HYDE PARK REGIONAL Hyde Park vs. Mount Carmel
The Mount Carmel tandem of Christian Peevy and Jake Rhode puts up numbers and quietly has led the Caravan to 23 wins. Although Peevy left the regional semifinal with an injury, the versatile 6-5 wing is expected to play. After playing in the shadow of Kenwood and Curie in the Red- Central all winter, 6-7 senior Tajuan Agee and Hyde Park hope to make some headlines of their own with a Class 3A regional title.
YOUNG REGIONAL Young vs. De La Salle
George Wilborn, De La Salle’s 6-3 senior guard, has put the Meteors on his back and led them to a surprising 22-7 record. Young is well-prepared, having played a tough schedule that has seasoned coach Tyrone Slaughter’s youthful team, led by 6-5 junior Lucas Williamson and sophomore point guard Xavier Castaneda.
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