March Madness right around the corner
March is here, which means the Madness is, too.
That's right, the IHSA boys state basketball tournament is set to tip-off with regional play beginning on Monday.
Here in Lake County, we've got teams participating in both the Class 4A and Class 3A fields. To keep track of it all, I've put together a mini-primer, complete with commentary from select coaches, that gives a thumbnail sketch of what to look for in each regional.
CLASS 4A
Sears Centre Supersectional, March 17
Waukegan Sectional, March 10, 11, 13
Regionals, March 2, 3, 4, 6
Zion-Benton Regional (all games 7:30 p.m.)
Monday, Game 1: No. 14 Deerfield vs. No. 19 Palatine
Tuesday, Game 2: No. 3 Zion-Benton vs. Winner Game 1
Wednesday, Game 3: No. 6 Conant vs. No. 12 Libertyville
Friday (regional championship), Game 4: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3
Toughest team: Zion-Benton
"Zion-Benton is by far the most talented team in our regional, and in fact, the entire sectional. They arguably have the most talented starting five in the entire state in Class 4A. They are playing at home and are playing very well right now." - Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil
Darkhorse: Libertyville
The Wildcats are capable of big wins. They beat Zion-Benton on its own floor this season.
Best player: G Ronald Steward (Zion-Benton)
"(Steward) is their floor leader, has a deadly outside shot, and is poised under pressure. He has shown that time and time again." - Libertyville coach Scott Bogumil
Other top players: C Markus Yarbrough (Zion-Benton), G Lenzelle Smith (Zion-Benton), F Jeremy Letchford (Libertyville), G John Colao (Libertyville), F Paul Aynilian (Libertyville), G Tim Gilhooly (Conant), G Tony Rizzo (Conant), G Cameron Leavitt (Conant)
Lake Zurich Regional
Tuesday, Game 1 at 6 p.m.: No. 13 Rolling Meadows vs. No. 20 Carmel
Tuesday, Game 2 at 8 p.m.: No. 10 Lake Zurich vs. No. 21 Round Lake
Wednesday, Game 3 at 6 p.m.: No. 4 Warren vs. Winner Game 1
Wednesday, Game 4 at 8 p.m.: No. 5 Schaumburg vs. Winner Game 2
Friday (regional championship), Game 5 at 7:30 p.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Toughest team: Warren
"(Warren's) day-to-day conference schedule and excellent results in (holiday) tournament play have given them an edge. Schaumburg is very good, I just don't think they are the same team without (Alabama-bound guard) Cully Payne (who is out with a back injury)." - Lake Zurich coach John Zarr
Darkhorse: Lake Zurich
"Lake Zurich is the best .500 team in the state, capable of beating anyone on a given night. They have several losses by five points or less to top-notch competition. I don't believe Lake Zurich is a true darkhorse, but because they're seeded tenth, I guess if they won it would be an upset." - Round Lake coach Howard Kravets
Best player: G Brandon Paul (Warren)
"(Paul) has the ability to put his team on his shoulders and carry them through." - Lake Zurich coach John Zarr
Other top players: F James Poliquin (Warren), G David Duncan (Warren) G Connor Mooney (Lake Zurich), F Brandon Kunz (Lake Zurich), F Danny Coleman (Lake Zurich), F Jake Paulsen (Round Lake), G Jon Martinez (Round Lake), G Richie Kemph (Rolling Meadows), G Justin Swiercz (Schaumburg), F Blake Mueller (Schaumburg)
Stevenson Regional
Tuesday, Game 1 at 7:30 p.m.: No. 16 Grant vs. No. 17 Barrington
Wednesday, Game 2 at 6 p.m.: No. 1 Lake Forest vs. Winner Game 1
Wednesday, Game 3 at 8 p.m.: No. 8 Buffalo Grove vs. No. 9 Stevenson
Friday (regional championship), Game 4: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3
Toughest team: Lake Forest
(Lake Forest) has earned that No. 1 seed through a great year." - Stevenson coach Pat Ambrose
Darkhorse: Barrington
The Broncos should be inspired to send coach Marty Dello, who will resign at the end of the season, off right.
Darkhorse II: Stevenson
The Patriots have won five of their last seven games and had a big win over Warren in January.
Best player: Matt Vogrich
The Michigan bound Vogrich dropped 38 points on North Chicago Wednesday in leading his team to the North Suburban Conference title.
Other top players: G Kevin Berardini (Lake Forest), F Gilbert Sheehan (Grant), F Henry Wood (Stevenson), G Jeff Levitt (Stevenson), F Jeff Arenson (Stevenson), G Kevin Mulligan (Buffalo Grove), F Mack Darrow (Barrington)
Hoffman Estates Regional (all games 7:30 p.m.)
Monday, Game 1: No. 15 Mundelein vs. No 18 Highland Park
Tuesday, Game 2: No. 2 Waukegan vs. Winner Game 1
Wednesday, Game 3: No. 7 Hoffman Estates vs. No. 11 Fremd
Friday (regional championship), Game 4: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3
Toughest team: Waukegan
"(Waukegan) is very athletic and Jereme Richmond is a game-changer." - Mundelein coach Dick Knar
Darkhorse: Hoffman Estates
"They've got good guards." - Knar
Darkhorse II: Fremd
After losing their first six games, the Vikings moved up sophomore Zach Monaghan, a promotion that has paid big dividends. He's averaging about 10 points per game and has tallied nearly 40 3-pointers.
Best player: G Jereme Richmond (Waukegan)
"(Richmond) has all the size and athleticism to dominate games." - Knar
Other top players: G Colin Nickerson (Waukegan), G Luke Mead (Hoffman Estates), F Ryan Sawvell (Mundelein), G Kevin Barber (Mundelein), F Chris Klimek (Fremd), G Dan Bruno (Fremd)
CLASS 3A
Sears Centre Supersectional, March 17
North Chicago Sectional, March 10, 11, 13
Note: The Senn Regional and the Gordon Tech Regional also funnel into this sectional.
Regionals, March 2, 3, 4, 6
Vernon Hills Regional
Monday, Game 1 at 7:30 p.m.: No. 4 Richmond-Burton vs. No. 5 Wauconda
Wednesday, Game 2 at 6 p.m.: No. 1 North Chicago vs. Winner Game 1
Wednesday, Game 3 at 8 p.m.: No. 2 Vernon Hills vs. No. 3 Johnsburg
Friday (regional championship), Game 4 at 7:30 p.m.: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3
Toughest team: North Chicago
"You almost have to play the perfect game (think Villanova in 1985). It's real hard to get second chances because (North Chicago forward) Josh Wright owns the boards and you have to hope they have an off night from beyond the arc." - Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty
Darkhorse: Johnsburg
The Skyhawks recently defeated Grayslake Central, one of the best Class 3A teams in the suburbs.
Best player: G Keith Ford (North Chicago)
"(Ford's) motor is always running on high. He has a will about him that says, 'We are going to win.'" - Vernon Hills coach Matt McCarty
Other top players: C CJ Fiedorowicz (Johnsburg), G Mike Dixon (Johnsburg), F/C Josh Wright (North Chicago), G Deshawn Chambliss (North Chicago), G Riaz Hoveydai (Vernon Hills), G DaVaris Daniels (Vernon Hills)
Grayslake Central Regional (all games 7:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, Game 1: No. 1 Grayslake Central vs. No. 4 Antioch
Wednesday, Game 2: No. 2 Grayslake North vs. No. 3 Lakes
Friday (regional championship), Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Toughest team: Grayslake Central
"Grayslake Central plays well together. They screen well and shoot the three well. They can run and slow it down for good ball control. Most impressive is how strong they are. They are a dangerous playoff team." - Lakes coach Brian Phelan.
Darkhorse: Lakes
"John Androus can take control of a game and single-handedly lead Lakes to victory." - Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh
Darkhorse II: Grayslake North
"They are getting all their players back from illness and injury. They just beat a good Prairie Ridge team on the road in overtime." - Grayslake Central coach Brian Moe
Best player: G Mike Brumm (Grayslake Central)
"Brumm offers experience, great defense, a deadly three-point shot and is extremely difficult to stop from penetrating. Just an all-around great athlete who is extremely dangerous." - Grayslake North coach Todd Grunloh
Other top players: F Josh Rappaport (Grayslake Central), G John Androus (Lakes), G Matt Pucher (Grayslake North), G Grant Henricksen (Grayslake North), G Cameron White (Antioch)
pbabcock@dailyherald.com