Scouting sectional semifinals: DuPage County
Daily Herald report
Class 3A Glenbard South sectional semifinal
St. Francis (19-7) vs.
Crane (18-6)
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Outlook: St. Francis achieved every defensive goal to stun No. 1 seed Orr 39-36 in the Wheaton Academy regional final. Spartans coach Bob Ward said those successes must be repeated against Crane, a 69-57 winner over regional host Riverside-Brookfield. Crane offers 6-4 Willie Conner, an all-Public League player; 6-5 Kendall Sidney; 6-8, 260-pound Kaylen Shane; and sophomore guard Isaiah Hayes, who scored 32 against R-B. Crane won’t underestimate St. Francis after it held Orr to 10 second-half points in a dominant defensive outing by Nick Donati, Brian Spahn, Tim Zettinger, Jason Pisarski, Zach Roswold and Ryan Coyle.
Class 4A East Aurora sectional semifinal
Downers Grove South (23-5) vs.
Metea Valley (24-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Outlook: Downers South just won the program’s 17th regional title while Metea Valley claimed its first. Regardless, Friday’s comeback win over Benet showed Metea Valley’s ability to thrive under playoff pressure. Defense has been the key for Metea, especially in the two regional games, and that focus remains against Downers South’s potent backcourt of Jerron Wilbut and Jamall Millison. Expect to see Ryan Solomon on Wilbut, who’s averaging 18.7 points. Dealing with Metea Valley’s offensive balance is Downers South’s challenge. Four players average between 8 points and Kenny Obendorf’s team-high 17.2 points.
Class 4A Schaumburg sectional semifinal
Proviso East (28-0) vs.
Lake Park (20-8)
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Outlook: Proviso East’s 61-58 victory over Glenbard North at the Pirates’ own regional final did not include two starters. They’ll be back to face the Lancers, adding more quickness to a team that thrives on turning defense into offense. Paris Lee scored 16 points against Glenbard North, and great point guard Keith Carter had 9. Lake Park won its own regional beating York 60-56 behind Dominique Spencer’s 25 points. Against Proviso’s great press, Lancers coach Josh Virostko hopes Spencer, Nick Zanghi and Steve Wuthrich can passing over the top of it to taller Zach Wagner, Jeremy Caboor and Dave Prentis, all 6-4 and up.