Scouting this week's boys basketball sectional semifinals
By Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit
doberhelman@dailyherald.com
kschmit@dailyherald.com
No. 2 Conant (26-4) vs. No. 11 Lake Park (15-14)
Class 4A Robert Morris University sectional semifinal
Game time: 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Outlook: First No. 6 Buffalo Grove, then No. 3 Prospect. Can Lake Park continue its magical postseason run by staging a third straight upset victory? Conant, which beat the Lancers by 15 points in late January, presents the toughest challenge yet. Bucknell-bound senior guard Jimmy Sotos scored 17 points in the regional final win over McHenry and averages 4.5 assists. The Lancers also must match 6-foot-9 junior Ryan Davis. Lake Park counters with senior guard Garrett Fant, who dominated the regional while scoring 76 points in three games. The Lancers have overcome the loss to injury of Diamante Smith, primarily with the emergence of Dan Spejcher. He scored 17 points in the regional final.
Advancement: The winner advances to Friday's Robert Morris University sectional final to face the winner of Tuesday's semifinal between No. 1 Fremd and No. 5 Grant.
No. 1 Wheaton Warrenville South (29-1) vs. No. 4 Naperville North (23-5)
Class 4A Hinsdale Central sectional semifinal
Game time: 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Outlook: The Tigers won both DuPage Valley Conference meetings by a combined 4 points with neither team scoring more than 43 points. Even if Naperville North is able to boost the pace more to its liking, the Huskies must value every possession and shoot well from the perimeter. Six-foot-six third-year starter Mitch Lewis is the type of player who can carry the Huskies to the sectional title. The Huskies offer further matchup problems with 6-7 Chris Johnson and Tom Welch. Matchup issues, however, haven't affected the Tigers all season. Dillon Durrett, the DVC's player of the year, is an elite talent, but the Tigers thrive with the balance provided by Drew and Jake Healy, Chase Stebbins and Parker Robinson.
Advancement: The winner advances to Friday's Hinsdale Central sectional final to face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between No. 6 Wheaton North and No. 10 Hinsdale South.
No. 6 Wheaton North (23-6) vs. No. 10 Hinsdale South (19-11) Class 4A Hinsdale Central sectional semifinal
Game time: 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Outlook: While Wheaton North leans on leading scorers Luke Anthony and Rowan McGowen, it's the contributions of others - like Jack Bennett, Matt Brcka, Josh Sorenson, Ethan Block and Deng Reng - carrying the Falcons through their playoff run. The Falcons have the perimeter play with Anthony and McGowen, and the potential to dominate the boards with Sorenson, Reng and Brcka. Doing that won't be easy, however, against the Hornets and 6-foot-5 bruising junior forward Zion Griffin. His double-double potential is a constant. The playmaking ability of Diamond Anderson and the 3-point prowess of Karol Lipiszko make Hinsdale South especially dangerous.
Advancement: The winner advances to Friday's Hinsdale Central sectional final to face the winner of Tuesday's semifinal between No. 1 WW South and No. 4 Naperville North.
No. 4 Glenbard South (14-14) vs. No. 2 Marengo (23-7)
Class 3A Genoa-Kingston sectional semifinal
Game time: 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Outlook: These unfamiliar, halfcourt-based teams share a key common opponent. Marengo went 1-2 against Burlington Central, which Glenbard South beat 63-53 in overtime for a second straight regional title. A load inside with 19 double-doubles, 6-6 Charlie Bair figures to face Marengo's 6-6 Alejandro Rodriguez. With Raiders senior forwards Peter Jeske and Billy Powers continuing to step up and experienced junior guard Brandon Whiteside scoring 22 on Friday, it's a lot to defend. A 20-game winner four straight seasons, Marengo is more perimeter based with 6-3 senior guard Michael Volkening averaging 25 points. Point guard Blaine Borhart was a key to Marengo's regional title victory over Richmond-Burton.
Advancement: The winner advances to Friday's Genoa-Kingston sectional final to face the winner of Tuesday's semifinal between No. 5 Belvidere and No. 5 Sycamore.
- Dave Oberhelman and Kevin Schmit