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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

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