Coach: To survive and advance - your guide to prep boys March Madness

Alright class, as the famous ex-Chicago Cub broadcaster Jack Brickhouse used to say, "get your pencils and score cards ready."

For the newly indoctrinated to the boys basketball state tournament - and we know there are a lot of you out there who have caught the fever this year because of our local teams' successes - here is a your handy little step-by-step primer of how it works and how it may play out.

Brace yourself, because it gets a little crazy as you "march" along.

First of all, as the title of this column says, the ultimate goal, despite all the crowd noise, newspaper reports, social media trash talking, opponents' distractions, bad calls by refs, etc., etc., the ultimate goal is to "survive and advance."

What does this mean in basketball bracketology parlance? Simply this: That whatever it takes, beyond all the distractions, you find a way to win the game to move on to the next rung on the basketball bracket ladder. Really, that is all that matters.

Now, in Illinois, it works like this. First there is the regional rounds, usually involving four or five teams. Then, if successful, you move on to the sectionals, which involve the four regional winners. If you somehow survive that gauntlet, you then get to play in what is called the Super-Sectional, a one game winner take all extravaganza.

Surviving that means you get to go "downstate" and play in the final four, which this year will be held at The State Farm Center in Champaign.

It is indeed a long and winding road. And a reminder the road is unforgiving. One loss and you are out. Season over. There are no do-overs. The "madness" of March can no doubt be cruel.

Having said all that, let's look closer at how the tournament trail might play out for the three featured teams from our area

Glenbrook North

What a season for the Spartans! All the familiar names are there, including three-year starter Blake Lidskin and junior sharpshooter Ryan Cohen. But the emergence of sophomore Josh Fridman, a slick and effective do-it-all guard, has taken this team to another level. The Spartans are dangerous and a threat to go deep into the tournament.

Step 1 for them is the regionals at Evanston High School. Barring a major upset, they should advance to tomorrow's regional finals against Evanston - and what a game that should be!

The two teams have already had two classic battles, with each team winning one. The WildKits have a star in Ryan Bost, some dangerous outside shooters and a senior big man inside. They are not, however, quite the powerful contingent as previous Evanston teams, so the Spartans have a real chance here.

Step 2 for Glenbrook North, if they win, would be the sectionals to be played at Glenbrook South, and here is where it gets really dicey. They would first have to face a likely opponent in the host Titans, and if they find a way to win against this powerhouse, could then have to face New Trier for a sectional final Friday, March 4. The Spartan faithful will turnout in huge numbers for these games, so should be fun to watch.

Loyola

I think the Ramblers lead the area in mentions as the team "no one wants to play in the state tournament." Why? Mainly because of their unique, deliberate patterned style of offense, which is about as painful to defend as having your tooth pulled out sans Novocain.

Loyola is always well coached; they play with consistent high intensity and are battle tested after playing numerous tough Catholic Conference games

The road this year for the Ramblers begins at rival New Trier High School, where they will take on Conant from the Mid Suburban League. Assuming they "survive" that, they will be playing tomorrow night, likely against the host Trevians.

New Trier will be favored, no question, and they hammered the Ramblers badly early in the season. But that was then and now is now, and this team is capable of pulling off the upset.

If they do win? On to the Glenbrook South Sectionals they would go and a match up Wednesday, March 2, most likely against one of two dangerous Mid-Suburban League teams in Rolling Meadows or Hoffman Estates.

Glenbrook South

The Titans are in uncharted territory. They are ranked 2nd in the area, have had statewide publicity about them all season, and played and won big shootout games against name opponents. Now they come into the tournament (here is the unfamiliar part) as the favorite and the ones with the targets on their backs.

They have answered just about every challenge thus far, and the Titan team plays with a confidence and connectedness that will make them tough to beat. But, remember, this whole "survive and advance" thing is a one and done experience, so one bad game and it could all end for the blue and gold.

The Glenbrook South goal is, no doubt, to make it to downstate Champaign and the Final Four for the first time in school history.

First things first, though. They will be out in Park Ridge for the regionals and, on Friday, they will have to play the winner of Niles North vs. Maine South, two very competent 8 and 9 seeds. The Vikings are always a tough out, simulating the vigor and energy of their head coach, Glenn Olsen. Maine South is a different style of team, but one that plays smart and disciplined.

If the Titans avoid the upset there, then they get to host the sectionals. The opener would be Tuesday, March 1, vs. Glenbrook North or Evanston. You've heard the old expression "it is hard to beat a good team three times in one season?" Well, how about having to do it four times! That would be the challenge for GBS if the Spartans find a way to knock off Evanston.

The next step would be a huge one. A titanic Friday night rematch with New Trier, one of only two teams to beat them this year. This game, if it comes to fruition, would be classic March Madness, complete with packed gym, crazy fans and newspaper and TV coverage.

If South can make it that far, their final step to Champaign would be the Super Sectional at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights vs. the winner of the Barrington Sectional. Barrington and Libertyville are the favorites there.

A win in the Super Sectional would head the Titans downstate. Potential opponents could be teams like Whitney Young, downstate powerhouses Collinsville and Normal Community, or the team to beat right now - the Hilltoppers of Glenbard West.

The Titans would obviously love to get a rematch vs. the No. 1 ranked Hilltopper squad that just barely beat them in a shootout a couple months ago.

So, there you have it. Your back to basics primer on how this whole crazy March Madness thing works.

There will not be a test on this material, but hopefully you took good notes.

And good luck to all of our teams!

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.