Scouting the Class 2A Genoa-Kingston boys basketball sectional semifinal
By Dave Oberhelman
doberhelman@daiyherald.com
Class 2A Genoa-Kingston sectional semifinal
No. 1 Timothy Christian (25-5) vs. No. 3 Wheaton Academy (22-10)
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday at Genoa-Kingston High School.
Road to the sectional: Timothy Christian beat No. 7 Montini 92-64 and No. 4 St. Joseph 58-57 in overtime; Wheaton Academy beat No. 5 Lisle 60-37 and No. 2 Marengo 50-40.
Outlook: Metro Suburban Red winner Timothy Christian is 2-0 this season against the MSC Red runner-up. Ben VanderWal's buzzer-beater 3 clinched the first meeting 43-40 and later the Trojans won decisively at home 60-43. A pair of three-year starters - Timothy's Matt Owens and the Warriors' Marcus Bult - set the tone for their teams, but they've got lots of help. Though announced as a guard, VanderWal's 6.9 rebounds per game gives Timothy extra scoring chances Wheaton Academy will want to avoid. While Harris can get hot from 3, so too can Bult and Mitchell, and both teams will run the floor at any opportunity. Wheaton Academy coach Steve Thonn will send in guard Tobi Sonuga and forward Christian Pares off the bench without missing a beat. Trojans coach Scott Plaisier brings in Jack Baldridge, Marquis Johnson and Ben Jones. Whoever advances to Friday, expect a contest more like the first meeting than the second.
Probable starters
Timothy Christian Wheaton Academy
Name Ht. Yr. PPG. Pos. Name Ht. Yr. PPG.
Matt Owens 5-10 Sr. 11.7 PG Luke Roman 6-0 Sr. 3.7
Zach Orange 6-2 Sr. 3.1 G Bryson Mitchell 5-10 Sr. 6.5
A.J. Vos 6-4 Sr. 8.3 G Marcus Bult 6-4 Sr. 15.4
Ben VanderWal 6-5 So. 10.0 G/F Max Scharnowski 6-5 Sr. 8.0
Josh Harris 6-4 Sr. 14.4 F J.D. Rienow 6-3 Sr. 3.7
Advancement: The winner advances to Friday's Class 2A Genoa-Kingston sectional final against the winner between No. 1 Rockford Lutheran and No. 2 Northridge Prep.
- Dave Oberhelman