Supersectionals offer plenty to follow
The regular season was marked by on- the- rise revelations ( Fremd and Jacobs), strong traditional powers ( Morgan Park, Simeon and Young) and teams that lived up to their preseason hype ( Bolingbrook, Evanston and Naperville North).
Two weeks into state- tournament play, all those teams are still alive and are vying for spots this weekend in Peoria.
There are highly ranked teams and star talent squaring off in Class 3A and Class 4A supersectionals across the state Tuesday. Here is a rundown of the best that Super Tuesday has to offer:
Simeon vs. Edwardsville: The Illinois State supersectional features the top two ranked teams in Class 4A.
Edwardsville, which has made five trips to state and has averaged 22 victories in the last 24 years, has done everything it can do as a program except play for a state championship. But mighty Simeon, which is three victories away from its eighth state championship, stands in Edwardsville’s way.
Mark Smith: If the supersectional happens to serve as the introduction of the Edwardsville star to the rest of the state, well, better late than never.
The 6- 4 do- everything guard has gone from a player taking visits to Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois- Edwardsville and Wright State in the fall to one ranked among the top 100 players in the country and coveted by schools such as Illinois, Northwestern, Texas, Butler, Kansas State, Ohio State and Indiana.
Smith had 45 points in Edwardsville’s sectional victory Friday.
Unbeaten Fremd: The heroics of senior guard Kyle Sliwa reverberated throughout the northwest suburbs Friday. His buzzer- beating three- point heave stunned Conant 43- 42 and moved Fremd to a perfect 30- 0.
Teams that win so often have a funny habit: They keep winning. Fremd, a tough, determined, unselfish team committed to one another and its distinct style, hopes to become the first unbeaten bigschool state champion in 24 years.
Cameron Krutwig: In this day and age, Krutwig qualifies as a transcendent big man. The 6- 8 star, who is headed to Loyola, is more than just an on- the- block presence; he is one of the best passing big men the state has seen.
In Jacobs’ victory against Larkin in the sectional final, Krutwig finished with this eye- popping stat line: 20 points, 23 rebounds, 11 blocks and nine assists.
Favored Fenwick: Everyone picked Fenwick to be playing in Peoria last season, but the Friars were upset by St. Joseph in the sectional. This season, coach Rick Malnati’s team is 28- 4 and a heavy favorite in its Class 3A supersectional against 15- 16 St. Viator.
Fenwick, led by seniors Jamal Nixon and Jacob Keller and freshman D. J. Steward, is one victory from reaching Peoria for the first time since 1998.
Bolingbrook’s balance, speed: There isn’t a team in Illinois that thrives in transition and puts pressure on opponents with its speed, quickness and athleticism more than Bolingbrook.
With Nebraska recruit Nana Akenten, rugged Malik Binns and the guard trio of Joseph Yesufu, Kaleb Thornton and Tyler Cochran, the Raiders have multiple options offensively.