Prospect's Salasini advances to slam dunk final four

Positive thinking apparently had a powerful effect on Prospect junior Nsenzi Salasini in the Country Financial Class 4A slam dunk contest Thursday evening.

The 6-foot-2 Salasini nailed his first two dunks in the Peoria Civic Center's Carver Arena and was one of four qualifiers to advance to today's 4A finals at approximately 8 p.m.

"In the beginning I just thought it would be fun," said Salasini, a starting forward on Prospect's sectional semifinalist. "People kept telling me, 'When you make it to the finals, when you make it to the finals'- and I had it in my head I was going to make it to the finals."

Salasini tied DeKalb 6-10 junior Jordan Threloff for the last two spots with 34 points. D.J. Bennett of Sandburg had 44 points and Kameron Norton of Downers Grove North had 37.

On Salasini's first dunk he threw a two-hand alley-oop that he slammed with his right hand. Then he nailed a reverse before missing a windmill dunk.

"I hope to get that down (today)," Salasini said. "The reverse felt good. I'm just really happy.

"After the season ended I relaxed for a couple of days because my knees were worn out. I had a couple of practice days and practiced a lot (Wednesday) night so I felt pretty confident."

The 4A winner advances to Saturday's "King of the Hill" competition between the champions of all four classes at approximately 12:15 p.m.