Scouting Glenbard East vs. Simeon
Class 4A semifinal
Glenbard East (27-3) vs. Simeon (28-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Peoria Civic Center's Carver Arena.
Road to the semifinal: Glenbard East beat Naperville Central, 69-64, Glenbard West, 72-47, Downers Grove South, 67-62, East Aurora, 80-62, and Rockford Auburn, 63-51. Simeon beat Urban Prep Charter, 90-34, Hinsdale South, 74-45, Mt. Carmel, 64-48, Lyons Twp., 64-51, and Farragut, 74-61.
Probable starters
Glenbard East Simeon
Name Ht. Yr. PPG. Pos. Name Ht. Yr. PPG.
Zach Miller 5-9 Sr. 13.1 G Tywon Pinkney 5-10 Sr. 2.5
Tyree York 5-9 Sr. 5.5 G Darien Walker 6-3 Sr. 8.7
Johnny Hill 6-3 Sr. 20.9 F Jabari Parker 6-7 So. 15.3
Steve Kinney 6-1 Sr. 6.0 F Rashawn McElrath 6-6 Sr. 7.8
Dante Bailey 6-6 Jr. 10.4 C Steve Taylor 6-7 Jr. 9.7
Outlook: For all the tough teams Glenbard East faced this season Proviso East, Peoria Notre Dame, Benet, Downers South, East Aurora this is by far the stiffest challenge. Simeon, a four-time state title winner and the defending 4A champ, was ranked third in the nation by USA Today before losing back-to-back games to Whitney Young and Benet to end the regular season. Since then, the Wolverines barely have been challenged. They've won their five playoff games by an average of 25 points. The Rams, winners of 12 straight and making their first state semifinal appearance, must find a way to match up against the physically imposing Wolverines. With three starters 6-foot-6 or 6-7, Simeon creates problems on both ends of the court and on the offensive and defensive boards. Glenbard East will throw a bunch of different bodies against Jabari Parker, regarded as one of the nation's top sophomores. Johnny Hill, Dante Bailey, 6-5 Kevin Priebe and others will take turns on Parker, although there will be matchup issues everywhere. The Rams like to mix up defenses and expect to see a good deal of zone against the Wolverines. Simeon also mixes defenses, but Glenbard East coach Scott Miller is confident his team will be able to run its offense. That means Northern Illinois-bound point guard Zach Miller, who averages 8.4 assists, will be eyeing all corners of the court for the best shot. Miller's 3-point shot has been particularly effective in the playoffs, corresponding with the entire team's improved perimeter shooting highlighted by Bailey, Hill and Priebe. Hill, committed to Illinois State, has emerged as an elite player. After scoring a personal-high 34 points against Naperville Central, he added 32 points against Rockford Auburn with an array of scoring moves. Both teams like to get up and down the court, but look for the Rams to be more patient with their offense in an attempt to slow down Simeon. They must prevent the Wolverines from getting too many easy baskets, either with putbacks or in transition. Three Rams players Priebe, Hill and Zach Miller each came down with 7 rebounds in the supersectional. That type of team rebounding will be critical against the relentless Wolverines on the boards.
Advancement: Winner advances to play Friday's semifinal winner between Warren (30-3) and Normal Community (27-6) in the state title game at 8:15 p.m. Saturday.
Kevin Schmit